150 sailors to march through Stone

Around 150 sailors accompanied by military marching band will be parading through the streets of Stone next month.

The servicemen and women from HMS Collingwood will be marching through the town on Saturday 10th March.

Fareham-based HMS Collingwood has a long association with Stone and was granted Freedom of the Borough more than 30 years ago. The original freedom parade took place in Stone in 1979.

The military will start their parade at 10.30am from Westbridge Park, with Staffordshire’s Lord Lieutenant Sir James Hawley, Stone mayor June Price, Stafford mayor Stan Highfield, Commodore Mike Mansergh CBE and other dignitaries taking the salute in the High Street.

The parade will be followed by a service at St Michael’s Church and HMS Collingwood will meet with local army and sea cadets who have been invited to the event by the borough council.

Article continues after this message

The company will then head to Stafford, where they will parade through the town, ending with the salute being taken in the Market Square.

Commanding Officer Commodore Mansergh said: “HMS Collingwood was honoured to be granted the Freedom of the Borough of Stafford on 31st March 1979 – an honour we are very proud of.

“There has been an upsurge of support for the Armed Forces brought about by the continued presence on operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world, in which the Royal Navy have made a significant contribution. It is therefore a great honour for members of the Royal Navy to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and hosting the Olympics by exercising our right to march in Stafford Borough with bayonets fixed and flags flying.”

Stone was originally linked with the Royal Navy through HMS St Vincent, which was named after admiral of the fleet, Earl St Vincent. He was born John Jervis at Meaford Hall near Stone and buried at St Michael’s Church.

When HMS St Vincent was closed down in 1969 it was decided that HMS Collingwood, a large naval training establishment of 1500 men and women based in Fareham, near Portsmouth, would take over this affiliation.

The granting of Freedom is a ceremonial occasion to mark the partnership between the Armed Forces and civilians in a local community. HMS Collingwood last exercised the right in 1997.