AROUND 1,000 people crowded along the streets of Ebbw Vale to support the soldiers of the Royal Welsh being presented with the freedom of Blaenau Gwent.

Adults and children were waving flags, clapping and craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the servicemen during their march through the town on Saturday.

Mayor of Blaenau Gwent Cllr Brian Thomas presented officials from the Royal Welsh with the Freedom Scroll, before 50 soldiers from second battalion the Royal Welsh marched through the town led by Taffy, the regimental goat and the regimental band.

The eagerness of the local people to honour their servicemen was epitomised by Blaenau Gwent council leader, Cllr Des Hillman, who was pushed into town in a wheelchair.

He joked: “I’ve just escaped from hospital after a knee operation to be here”, adding: “It’s one of the proudest speeches I’ve made since being leader and I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

Mayor Brian Thomas presented the freedom scroll to Major General Roddy Porter, saying council members unanimously resolved to bestow the honour on the regiment at a meeting earlier this month.

He added: “There is an intimate association between the regiment and this county borough and so many of our citizens have been proud to serve the Royal Welsh.”

Maj Gen Porter said: “The historic links the regiment shares with this county are as old as warfare itself and we are proud inheritors of their traditions, missions and sacrifices.”

He added that honours such as the freedom of Blaenau Gwent make the soldiers realise “our sacrifice and efforts are worth it”.

After the soldiers were introduced to the mayor, they marched through the town before enjoying a reception at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre.

In total, there are around 600 soldiers in the Royal Welsh, with first battalion based in Chester, second battalion in Tidworth and third battalion, the territorial army, at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff.

Support 'means a lot'

COLOUR Sergeant Alun Higgins, 33, from Brynmawr, has been in the second battalion for 16 years and has served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq twice.

He said: “I do a lot of shopping in Ebbw Vale and to see the streets full for us makes me very proud. We don’t see what goes on when we’re away and this support means a lot.”

Lance corporal Matthew Edwards, 23, from Ebbw Vale, has just returned from serving in the Falklands and has been in the regiment three years. He said: “People always write us letters when we’re away, but seeing family and friends here makes us realise we’re appreciated.”

Local Keith Giles, 66, from Ebbw Vale, said: “They do enough for us and I’m glad so many turned out to show appreciation.”