Rifles march with pride through city centre (From The Northern Echo)

3 Rifles march through Sunderland

10:01am Saturday 11th September 2010 in Tyne and Wear News

ANOTHER city gave a warm welcome to 3 Rifles as they staged their third freedom parade in the region.

About 200 troops marched through the centre of Sunderland yesterday after a ceremony in which Sunderland City Council granted the regiment the freedom of the city.

To the delight of thousands of onlookers, the 1st and 2nd Guard and the Band and Bugles of the Rifles Regiment paraded with drums beating, flags waving and bayonets fixed.

The battalion, which recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, includes what used to be the Durham Light Infantry.

During a ceremony at Sunderland Civic Centre, Mayor Thomas Martin presented the freedom scroll to Major General Tim Evans, who gave a silver bugle in return.

Earlier this week, freedom parades were held in Stockton and Darlington. Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson said: “It is a matter of great pride for us all to receive the freedom on behalf of the regiment, cementing our all-important relationship with the community further.”

The leader of the city council, Paul Watson, said that it was important to pay tribute to the British Army’s largest infantry regiment.