A rousing reception was given to the soldiers of the Yorkshire Regiment as they marched proudly through Barnsley yesterday.

 

Thousands of well-wishers lined the streets for the Freedom Parade to watch 120 troops from the 3rd Battalion march through the town centre, accompanied by a military band and colour party.

 

The soldiers formed up at Churchfield car park in the morning before marching along Church Lane and Church Street to the town hall for inspection and speeches by Barnsley Mayor Coun Ken Richardson and Lieutenant Colonel Zac Stenning, the commanding officer of the regiment.

 

Lt Col Stenning gave his thanks to the people of Barnsley for turning out to show their support and said nothing could ever take away the regiment's strong links with the town.

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"It is amazing the number of family, friends, brothers, sisters and parents who are here to support those on parade. Without your support and love these soldiers wouldn't be as strong as they were in Afghanistan when a hundred of those deployed last year were from Barnsley."

 

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After inspecting the troops, Mayor Coun Richardson told the gathered crowds the parade is a celebration of a long and historic link between the people of Barnsley and the regiment.

 

A full report of the festivities is in today's Chronicle.

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