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You are here: Home > News > Free parking for parade to thank Borough’s Territorials

Free parking for parade to thank Borough’s Territorials

News release dated 7 April 2008 about free parking for a parade to honour the borough's TA regiments.

There will be free parking in Reigate’s car parks on Saturday 10 May 2008 when a special parade to celebrate the bravery of Borough’s Territorials takes place in the town.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has decided to suspend parking charges for the day in Reigate town centre's pay and display car parks as a goodwill gesture for people attending the event.  This excludes the Town Hall car park which will be closed to the public until 3.00pm.

Scores of people are expected to line the streets for the parade being organised by the Council to formally celebrate the bravery, enthusiasm and professionalism of soldiers from 150 Recovery Company Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) based in Redhill and 2 Field Troop 579 Field Squadron (EOD) based in Reigate, many of whom have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and on peace keeping duties overseas in recent years.

Recognition

The Mayor, Cllr Dorothy Ross-Tomlin, said: “We are expecting thousands of people to come to Reigate to cheer the troops on and so the Council has suspended parking charges for the day as a goodwill gesture. 

"However we would ask that people walk into town or to use public transport where possible as this will greatly ease congestion and the anticipated high demand for parking spaces.

“We wanted to recognise the service of the Borough’s troops to their country and to thank them for the sacrifices they and their families have made. 

"The parade will enable both the Council and the Borough’s residents to join together to show our gratitude to all those who have served. 

"I would like to see as many people as possible lining the parade route to cheer the troops on their way and give them the recognition they deserve."

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Kumik Commanding Officer of 103 Battalion REME added, “With 2008 being the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Territorial Army, this parade will also recognise the TA’s contribution to delivering fighting soldiers and units at times of need.

"This has ranged from the demand of two World Wars and now to support enduring operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The TA has achieved this through the enthusiasm, professionalism and adaptability of its members."

March past and salute

Representatives from the two TA units will leave the Town Hall in Castlefield Road at 12.00 noon, led by TS Ark Royal, Reigate Sea Cadet Band and Standard Bearers. 

The parade will make its way down Castlefield Road to Church Street where the Mayor will take the salute and inspect the troops. 

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend David Skitt, will give a blessing for the troops safe return.  The parade will then continue along the High Street, into London Road and back to the Town Hall for a special private reception in the troops’ honour. 

As well as a parade, the event will feature a static display of military vehicles.

During the parade, traffic around the Reigate one-way system will be managed using a rolling roadblock and temporary diversion via Bancroft Road and Bell Street in order to minimise delays. 

Warning signs will be erected in advance of the event to warn motorists to expect possible delays on 10 May.

For information about council car parks in Reigate see the car parks page.

The TA regiments on parade

579 Field Squadron

579 Field Squadron is one of the three Squadrons that make up 101 Engineer Regiment (EOD) (V). The Regiment is unique, being the only EOD or bomb disposal unit in the Territorial Army. 

579 Field Squadron is made up of three troops, based at Reigate, Tunbridge Wells and Brighton. Members of the unit are trained in three skills: infantry soldiers, Combat Engineers; giving them the skills to support the army in mobility and counter mobility. 

They also train as bomb disposal engineers, signallers, drivers or plant operators; many complete training in several disciplines during their service. 

The skills of the soldiers are in demand and the squadron has provided 44 people in support of operations since 2003.  Soldiers have deployed, mainly in the EOD role, to Iraq, Afghanistan and in the UK. 

Two members of the Squadron have just returned from Afghanistan where they were employed as infantry soldiers with the London Regiment.

2 (Surrey Yeomanry) Field Troop, 579 Field Squadron (EOD) based at Chart Lane in Reigate, has provided about 15 of the 44 soldiers deployed.

Currently they have one Sergeant deployed in Afghanistan as part of a four person Bomb Disposal Team; one other member is from Tunbridge Wells.

Two other members are planned to mobilise later this year (2008). Although a demanding time they have also trained in the USA (mountain climbing), Greece (sailing), Canada (skiing) and Turkey (Battlefield Study).

150 Recovery Company 103 Battalion REME

150 Recovery Company 103 Battalion REME has in recent years provided a steady flow of highly skilled and trained individuals for operations overseas working with their Regular Army counterparts.

Recent operations have seen Staff Sergeant McKerlie deploy to Kosovo in 2001, Staff Sergeant Tribelnig to Bosnia 2002 and Corporal Poole to Sierra Leone in 2002. All of these deployments were in support of peace keeping duties working alongside soldiers from various other NATO forces.

Over the last four years the Company has provided 24 soldiers for operational deployments to Iraq.  The Company deployed soldiers who served with Regular Army units across Iraq during 2003, 2004 and most recently 2007.

TA 100

April 1 marked the centenary of the Territorial Army - TA 100. Various events are planned throughout the year across the country to celebrate its 100 years. For more information see the dedicated TA 100 website (link to external website).

There are over 33,500 Territorials in the country and 173 in Surrey alone. 77 Territorials from across Surrey have been deployed on overseas operations to Iraq and Afghanistan in the past few years.