Ripley town centre will be handed over to the Mercian Regiment on Monday 15 March, as the Regiment, accompanied by its mascot, Private Derby, marches through the town to celebrate its Freedom of the Borough – granted by Amber Valley Borough Council in January.
Town centre roads will be closed between 10.30am and 12.30pm, and the Market Place Car Park will be closed from Sunday evening, to accommodate one of the biggest occasions for Ripley in recent years.
It is expected around 300 soldiers from the Regiment will take part, assembling in the Market Place before starting the March at around 10.30am. They will march down Church Street, along Nottingham Road, up Grosvenor Road and down Derby Road to the finish at Ripley Leisure Centre, where a special reception will be held for the Regiment. .
The Mercian Regiment was Granted the Freedom of the Borough at a Special Full Council meeting on Tuesday 26 January.
The Council is asking local businesses to promote the event, and is calling on local pubs and cafes to offer discounts to the soldiers and their families who will be in the Town after the march. Local schools and also been invited to the March and free flags will be distributed on the day.
Commenting, on the March, Leader of Amber Valley Borough Council, Councillor Stuart Bradford, said: We are looking forward to, what I am sure will be, a memorable morning. We are also hoping for a large turn out of local people which will add to the occasion, and demonstrate Amber Valley’s support for, and gratitude to, the Mercian Regiment.”
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Attached a map showing the route the March will be taking.
For more information please contact Jeremy Hall - jh@shoutpr.co.uk 01623 651555
