HMS Cambria set for city St David’s Day parade

For the first time in more than six years, the Royal Navy Reservists will celebrate their historic right of Freedom of the City.

The city is home to the Tawe Division of the Royal Naval Reserve, a satellite of the Royal Navy’s home in Wales, HMS Cambria, which occupies a prime location on the Cardiff waterfront thanks to its new multi-million-pound headquarters.

They’ll be forming up in front of civic and  regional leaders outside the Guildhall on the morning of St David’s Day, before marching to the National Maritime Museum with full naval pomp and ceremony, led by the Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth.

Full details of the event, including timings and the route will be published next week.

Swansea enjoys a more-than-90-year association with the Royal Naval Reserve (and its predecessor the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) and the first Tawe Division formed in the city in 1932 as a wireless unit.

In the years since it’s become a more general unit for the people of south/southwest Wales – today numbering over 150  – who give up their spare time to volunteer as reservists, with the opportunity to deploy around the world serving the nation and the Royal Navy.

Since 2018 they’ve enjoyed holding Swansea’s highest honour: Freedom of the City. This permits the sailors to march through the city with Flags Flying, Bayonets fixed and Drums beating.

The reservist sailors will be joined by Welsh Royal Marines Reservists, students from the University Royal Navy Unit of Wales and Navy Cadets from the West Wales district, as well as Naval Associations from the region.

HMS Cambria’s Operations Officer and Swansea born resident Lieutenant Commander Andy Davies, will also be attending the Freedom parade, looking after the VIP guests.

Andy said, “It is an enormous pleasure for me and a very proud moment for my family to be involved on the day. I will have my daughters and father parading as part of the Sea Cadets, it’s a true family affair.”

Commander Carolyn Jones, Commanding Officer HMS Cambria, has overseen the unit since 2020, and said the parade would serve as a major fillip to morale.

“To be granted the freedom of any city is a great honour – there’s a real sense of pride to march through the streets exercising that freedom and know that the people of Swansea are watching and applauding you,” she added.

“We have a long, proud and fruitful association with Swansea, and we will continue to serve this community – and our nation – and build on our special relationship for decades to come.”

She’ll be reviewing the sailors alongside the Director of the Royal Navy’s Personnel and Training, Rear Admiral Jude Terry, the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Louise Fleet JP, the Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea, Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams and civic dignitaries.

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Paxton Hood-Williams said Swansea will be proud to host the freedom parade.

He said: “Swansea has enjoyed a long and strong relationship with the Royal Navy and I’m confident the freedom march will be very well attended. I’d urge as many people as possible to join us on the day for what will be a tremendously colourful occasion.

“It’s great to know that many of those exercising their right to march are from Swansea. That will add a special feel to the event.”

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: “The council has a proud tradition of supporting our armed forces; those currently serving as well as reservists and veterans. As a council and a community, we’ve always been hugely committed to supporting our armed forces who go in harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe.”