Freedom parade by RAF College Cranwell to take place in Newark to mark commemorate Battle of Britain on Sunday

A freedom parade by RAF College Cranwell will take place in Newark on Sunday.

On April 27, 2003, following a resolution adopted by Newark Town Council, the then RAF Cranwell was granted the Freedom of the Town.

This was in recognition of the close links between the station and the town supporting the annual Battle of Britain parade.

Those links continue to this day and the town council said it was delighted to confirm that on Sunday, a Freedom Parade would take place, with the station commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and the Freedom of Newark.

There will be an enhanced parade at 10.45am from London Road carpark through to the town centre that will culminate in the Mayor of Newark, Lisa Geary, being invited to inspect the parade in the Market Place.

She will be accompanied by the Station Commander RAF Cranwell, Group Captain Joanne Campbell, and Air Chief Marshal, Sir Andrew Pulford (Rtd) representing the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.

The Band of the Royal Air Force College will head the parade, in which The RAF College Cranwell Queen’s Colour 45 Squadron Standard and RAF personnel will join old comrades.

1260 Squadron Newark Air Cadets will await the arrival of the main parade in the Market Place.

Ex-RAF personnel are welcome to join and should be at London Road carpark no later than 10.30am when the parade will form up before setting off at 10.45am.

Road closures will be in place along Cartergate, Baldertongate, Barnbygate and Appletongate to protect the route of the parade. London Road Carpark will also be closed to non-parade traffic.

Wreath-laying will take place before the parade.

Last Post, the silence, and Reveille will be observed following the laying of the final wreath.

A flypast by a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is scheduled at 11am, weather permitting.

A church service will be held at 11.15am when the preacher will be the Rev Owen Page.

Following the church service, the parade will form up on Church Street, proceeding down the middle aisle of the Market Place, where a salute will be taken by Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, Group Captain Campbell the mayor; chairman of Newark and Sherwood District Council, Penny Rainbow and chairman of Newark RAFA, Allan Brooke.

The parade will return to the London Road carpark via Market Place, Bridge Street and Baldertongate.

An invitation is extended to the people of Newark to watch the parade and join the commemorations.