Mayor urges Southend to turn out for Royal Anglian parade (From Echo)
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Mayor urges Southend to turn out for Royal Anglian parade
7:00am Wednesday 2nd June 2010 in News By Emma Thomas
SOUTHEND’S mayor Ann Holland is calling for thousands of people to turn out to welcome troops to the town during a homecoming parade next month.
The 1st Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment, will be marching down Southend High Street on Thursday, June 17, between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
The event, backed by the Echo, will welcome home soldiers who fought abroad and honour those who lost their lives fighting for our country.
The regiment will start its march at the Odeon cinema, and go down the High Street and on to Pier Hill.
In a similar parade in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, last year, a sea of Union flags and thousands of residents, workers and school children greeted the troops.
Mrs Holland is now urging residents to spare a few minutes to support the soldiers during the parade.
She said: “The troops are doing such a great job.
“When you turn on the news and see those who have come back with limbs missing, I have got nothing but praise for how they carry on.
“I am proud and very honoured to be able to greet them.
“My father was in the Essex Regiment which went into the Royal Anglians.
“I think people forget what a hard time they have. Often they have young children and for us to be able to honour them is terrific. It will be really nice to be in front of them and speak from the heart to say how proud I am.
“The more people there to greet them and show we support what they do for us would be great.”
Adam Connolly, Southend’s youth mayor, joined Mrs Holland in her praise of the troops.
He said: “I think it is important to show our appreciation for their hard work for Great Britain.”
Alex Bright, deputy youth mayor, added: “It is a great opportunity to show our respect.”
Traders in Southend are also gearing up to welcome the soldiers to the town.
Staff at Barclays bank in Southend High Street will put up bunting and allow staff to stand outside to applaud the troops as they pass.
Neil Raven, owner of Ravens, one of the oldest businesses in Southend, said he planned to support the march.
Tomassi’s, opposite the Royals, has paid £250 towards the cost of a reception at the Naval and Military Club following the procession.
Comments(13)
seasider2010
says...
10:07am Wed 2 Jun 10
Bosniavet
says...
10:30am Wed 2 Jun 10
jq
says...
11:05am Wed 2 Jun 10
adam-gardner
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11:15am Wed 2 Jun 10
Its about time we honoured our guys fighting in iraq etc
Max Impact
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12:11pm Wed 2 Jun 10
maureen
says...
7:55pm Wed 2 Jun 10
i very much doubt the mayor would agree to this but many people would appreciate it
fatedsnowfox
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9:47pm Wed 2 Jun 10
Southendman
says...
12:23am Thu 3 Jun 10
shaun1965
says...
7:27am Thu 3 Jun 10
Southendman wrote:What a ****
Whether I attend or not is not up to a tory councillor! Do not tell the residents of this town what to do you arrogant stuck up madam. And don't use our army and the war abroad as publicity for your horrid partys members either while your at it.
shallotman
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11:20am Thu 3 Jun 10
Max Impact
says...
12:00pm Thu 3 Jun 10
Southendman wrote:Looser
Whether I attend or not is not up to a tory councillor! Do not tell the residents of this town what to do you arrogant stuck up madam. And don't use our army and the war abroad as publicity for your horrid partys members either while your at it.
Get a life
If you actually read the story she is Calling on and urging people to attened
At no point is she ordering people to go.
At least she is letting us know about it where are the Lib Dem and Labour lot.
westcliff willi
says...
12:35pm Thu 17 Jun 10
Southendman wrote:Probably best if you stayed in your taxpayer funded hole !
Whether I attend or not is not up to a tory councillor! Do not tell the residents of this town what to do you arrogant stuck up madam. And don't use our army and the war abroad as publicity for your horrid partys members either while your at it.
leighman says...
8:40am Wed 2 Jun 10