The Vale Grants Honorary Freedom of the County Borough to HMS Cambria

The Vale of Glamorgan Council will be awarding the Freedom of the County Borough to HMS Cambria in recognition of their distinguished service history to Wales.

On Saturday 31 March 2012, the ship's company of HMS Cambria will exercise the honorary freedom with a ceremony and parade through the town of Barry.

The Freedom of a County is the highest civic honour that can be bestowed and stems from medieval times when fortresses were necessary to protect inhabitants from incursion by outlaw bands and attack by feudal lords.

Groups of armed men were refused entry to the city unless the citizens were confident they meant no harm. Granting permission for a formed body of armed men to enter a city became a mark of trust and confidence summarised as the "Freedom of entry with swords drawn bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying".

HMS Cambria was commissioned in 1947 and originally based in Cardiff Docks. The present buildings at Sully, which are the former service married quarters, were opened on 15 October 1980, starting a valued connection with the Vale of Glamorgan. Until 1993, Cambria's main operational role was the manning and operating of minesweepers. From 1984 until it was sold in 1993, Cambria operated a River Class Minesweeper, HMS Waveney, which was a familiar sight in Barry Docks throughout that period.

Since 1993, the RNR's role has undergone significant change. This change has become more pronounced since 2003, and a regular number of reservists from Cambria have served in Iraq, the Gulf and Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and the Balkans. Combined with deployments on board Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and shore based posts, up to 25 per cent of the ship's company have been consistently mobilised with the Royal Navy since 2003.

Many of the volunteer reservists have been recruited from across South Wales and the Vale of Glamorgan. 

The current commander of HMS Cambria, Commander Neil Pugh, said:

"It is a matter of great pride that the reservists are able to serve in and for their home county and we are extremely pleased to have been given this honour."

The Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan, Cllr John Clifford said:

"This is an important landmark in the close relationship between the Vale of Glamorgan Council and HMS Cambria and is in recognition of the service of past and present reservists."

The freedom ceremony, which will be attended by HM Lord Lieutenant and dignitaries from across Wales, will be held on Saturday 31 March 2012 at 11am. Following the ceremony the ship's company of HMS Cambria, led by HM Royal Marine Band will march from King Square through Barry town centre.