MAY we, through your letters page, publicly thank everyone who was involved in the Freedom of Leominster ceremony on July 16.

We were delighted to welcome the band and bugles of the Rifles Regiment, the Army Cadet Force, the Regimental Association and the standards of the Royal British Legion to march on to The Grange, and after inspection by the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, the mayor of Leominster and the Regimental Colonel of The Rifles, to present the freedom scroll to the Rifles. Fortunately, the weather was kind and it was pleasing to see so many local people and visitors in the streets and on The Grange enjoying the afternoon.

The Band and Bugles of the Rifles sounded Retreat and gave a superb performance, including some popular favourite songs and marches, which were greatly appreciated by everyone present.

At a reception at The Earl Mortimer College afterwards, the close bonds of friendship and mutual respect between the town and the Rifles was sealed by the exchange of gifts. On behalf of the town, the mayor received a silver bugle mounted on a plinth and presented a bronze sculpture of a Ryeland Sheep, specially commissioned for the occasion, to Major General Tim Radford DSO OBE, the Regimental Colonel.

Our thanks go to Major Nigel Jones and staff of the Rifles HQ for their administration and logistics expertise, to Major James Hereford, the County Colonel, Brigadier Peter Jones CBE and the town council’s freedom working party and the Hereford and Worcester ACF for making local arrangements, Inspector Martin Taylor of West Mercia Police and his local team, Amey Herefordshire staff, the Royal British Legion, Leominster branch and Adrian Long, principal of the Earl Mortimer College, and his students whose hospitality was second to none.

It was very pleasing to be able to give to the Rifles gifts which show the skills and talents of local artists. We are much indebted to calligrapher Christine Oxley from Pudleston for the creation of the beautifully illuminated vellum scroll and to Rachel Ricketts, sculptor from Kington, who made the wonderful bronze sheep.

And last, but not least, to everyone who was at the ceremony and in the streets, showing support for the Rifles. Thank you all for your contribution to a great day for Leominster.

COUNCILLOR EDDIE CLARK, Mayor of Leominster, and CHRISTINA BROMAGE, Town Clerk.