Troops to march through Retford

PROUD residents in Retford will get the opportunity to support the troops next month when the Mercian Regiment marches through Retford town centre.

Led by regimental mascot and Swaledale ram Private Derby, the 250 troops in 2nd Battalion (Worcester's and Foresters) will be exercising their right to the Freedom of Worksop and Retford by marching through the town.

Major Tony Seager said the troops were looking forward to the parade on Wednesday March 10, which follows a relaxation of rules that were used to bar troops marching through towns.

"It means that at some stage in the past, we've been granted the freedom of the town to march with colours flying and bayonets fixed," he said.

"In previous days, soldiers were barred entry to towns, so it's a great honour to be able to march through the town, especially for the soldiers that come from Retford."

Soldiers on the march will be dressed in desert combat gear and the colours of the battalion will be on parade, while music will be provided by the Prince of Wales Division Band.

After forming at Churchgate at 10.30am, it will proceed past the cannon to Chapelgate. Turning right onto Arlington Way, the troops will head to the junction of Albert Road and London Road, before heading over Carolgate Bridge and onto Carolgate.

After heading to Market Place, the soldiers will salute Bassetlaw Council chairman Cllr Helen Colton, before heading back to Churchgate and falling out.

Afterwards, a reception will follow in the ballroom of Retford Town Hall for members of the regiment and invited guests.

Bassetlaw Council has warned of a system of rolling road closures in the town centre throughout the march, which will last about 60 minutes.

Formed during the 2004 restructuring of the British Army's infantry, the Mercian Regiment consists of a single battalion of armoured infantry, two battalions of light role infantry and a Territorial Army battalion.

It represents battalions from Cheshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and the Midlands, and derives its namesake from its usual base of operations in Mercia.

In its recent tour of duty, two Mercian Battlegroup forces were spread across the whole of the British-held area of Helmand, as well as those secured by US Marines.

Its duties included helping to train and mentor the Afghan National Army to develop security and stability in the country.