Buckley Barracks soldiers to receive freedom of Chippenham today (From Wiltshire Times)

Buckley Barracks soldiers to receive freedom of Chippenham today

7:00am Thursday 19th January 2012 in Chippenham By Alex Winter

Chippenham will give the freedom of the town to soldiers from the 9th Regiment Royal Logistics Corps based at Buckley Barracks today (Thursday).

The prestigious honour is the first to be given in 20 years, and 600 soldiers from the barracks are expected to march through the town from noon.

The festivities will start with a private medals parade for family at 11am, before the Hullavington soldiers line up in Burlands Road and march down The Causeway and into the town centre.

It is hoped that hundreds of patriotic Chippenham residents will be part of the proceedings, and all who wish to attend are asked to take their positions by noon.

Perhaps the proudest of all those who attend are likely to be pupils from Hullavington Primary School, many of whom have parents in the forces.

Headteacher Sue Tudge said: "Due to our proximity to Buckley Barracks and the fact that so many of our children come from Army families, Hullavington Primary School has forged extremely strong links with the regiment over the years and we are extremely proud of our close association with serving soldiers and their families.

"In fact, the school was recently very lucky to receive two donations from the Army’s sterling fundraising efforts – £250 was raised by the Regiment’s soldiers selling Christmas puddings and cakes locally and a further £160 was raised for the school following a raffle at the Barracks.

"All the children are very excited to be part of the freedom of entry event. Our children from army families understand only too well the contribution their parents make by actively serving in Afghanistan and this once-in-a-lifetime event represents a wonderful opportunity for them and their friends who don’t necessarily come from an Army background to celebrate and commemorate the fantastic work the regiment does."

Rolling road closures will be in place throughout the day, with no parking in the town centre or Wood Lane from 8am.

The Paddocks and Little Englands will be closed from 10am until after the event has concluded.