GLORIOUS sunshine provided the backdrop as staff from RAF Leeming marked a tradition going back hundreds of years as they celebrated their link with a local community at the Freedom of Northallerton Parade.

Station Personnel marched with the Illuminated Address, a special document presented to the base, along Northallerton High Street accompanied by the band of the Royal Air Force College. The event was marked with a flypast of four Hawk jets from 100 Squadron based at RAF Leeming.

The Illuminated Address is an elaborate document presented to the Station in 1978 as a permanent record of the link, goodwill, friendship and excellent relationship between the Station and the community of Northallerton, the County Town of North Yorkshire.

In an address at the start of the parade which set off from All Saints Church, RAF Leeming Station Commander, Group Captain David Bradshaw said it was his intention that the relationship should be maintained and fostered. “The tradition of parading through a town with drums beating is one that goes back to Roman times,” he said.

“We really enjoy being with the people of Northallerton and today is not just about the parade, it’s about meeting and chatting afterwards. Our personnel live within the community of Northallerton and the neighbouring villages and we are in contact on a regular basis. We do what we do to keep the nation safe and we need to know that the public supports us,” he added.