A 40-plus-year friendship between Wales-based Royal Naval Reservists and the people of the Vale of Glamorgan reached its climax with a celebratory parade.
The men and women of HMS Cambria bade goodbye to Barry, the town which has been their home since 1980, with a final freedom parade through the seaside town ahead of a move just up the road to a new facility in Cardiff Bay in May.
More than 60 members of Wales’ only Maritime Reserve Unit, together with a Ceremonial Guard, proudly marched from Kings Square to the Civic Offices, led by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Commando Training Centre Lympstone.
The Farewell Parade was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith, the Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan Councillor Christine Cave, Mayor of Barry Councillor Margaret Williams as well as the High Sherriff, Dr Isabel Graham.
Other attendees included, Captain David Teasdale RNR, Deputy Commander Maritime Reserves, and several other civic dignitaries from across the region and as well as previous commanding officers of Cambria.
The reservist unit was awarded the Freedom of the County of the Vale of Glamorgan in April 2012.
“Our relationship with the Vale and the town of Barry has been excellent and strengthened over nearly 40 years of being located here. We very much intend to maintain these strong links.” Said Commander Steve Fry, Cambria’s Commanding Officer.
“It is very important that we remember and acknowledge the strong links built up with Barry and all the support the local community has given the ship’s company over many years,” said Captain Teasdale, the senior Royal Navy officer present.
“On behalf of the Headquarters and Commander Maritime Reserves, I am extremely grateful for that support.”
Cambria traces its history back to 1947 when it was based in Cardiff Docks. The present headquarters at Sully were opened in October 1980, beginning the association with Barry.
