Latest news with #FreedomoftheCity
Leader Live
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Road closures confirmed for HMS Dragon parade
Watched by local dignitaries – and hopefully many local residents – the crew of the Type 45 destroyer will march through the heart of the city centre before being hosted at an official reception to cement the bond. Ahead of the parade the ranks will be inspected by Wrexham's Mayor Councillor Tina Mannering, who will also take the salute of the marching sailors at Queens Square alongside Commanding Officer Commander Iain Giffin. Commander Iain Giffin said: 'There is no greater honour that a city can bestow than the Freedom of the City and I humbled that Wrexham has extended this privilege to HMS Dragon. HMS Dragon Ship (Image: Wrexham Council) 'Today is a proud moment for HMS Dragon and a fitting opportunity to demonstrate the professionalism of our sailors, marching in full ceremonial dress, with drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed, as a mark of respect and gratitude to the people of Wrexham.' Cllr Mannering, said: 'It will be a tremendous honour to take the salute of the sailors as they march through the city, and I hope as many people as possible will turn out to support the parade. 'This will be a fantastic occasion, as we celebrate our wonderful partnership with HMS Dragon.' Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones, added: 'Wrexham has always been proud of its links with the armed services and it will be wonderful to welcome the crew to the county borough, so they can celebrate the Freedom of the City. 'HMS Dragon is the first ship affiliated with Wrexham since the Second World War, and we are tremendously proud of this very special relationship.' The sailors will march onto Llwyn Isaf green (outside the Guildhall) at 10.40am, before marching through the city centre. In being named Freemen of Wrexham, the sailors are in select company including Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. There will be some temporary road closures and access restrictions in place from 10.55am on the day (Friday June 13), including… Chester Street closure There will be a full road closure on Chester Street until 11.15am. During this time, there will be no vehicle access to the following locations via Chester Street: Guildhall Waterworld Memorial Hall Wellbeing Hub Crown Buildings Library Courts Additionally, no vehicles will be able to exit the Guildhall or Library car parks during this period. The remainder of the parade route will be managed via rolling road closures, meaning traffic will be temporarily stopped as the parade passes. This disruption should last approximately 10 to 15 minutes per location. MOST READ During this time, there will be no vehicle access through the city centre bollards – this includes taxis, church access and other usual exceptions. The ship was adopted by Wrexham last summer and civic leaders promptly bestowed their highest honour upon the Portsmouth-based warship and her ship's company. Their hectic schedule – which included a milestone first takedown of a supersonic missile by the Royal Navy during NATO exercises off the coast of northwest Scotland in May – has prevented the ship's company from exercising their right until now. Since then, when Dragon's demanding programme has allowed, the 200-strong ship's company have been preparing for the hometown visit, including undertaking specific drill training to reach the highest standards required for the march.
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
HMS Dragon sailors set to come to Wrexham this week
Friday (June 13), will see crew members of the Royal Navy vessell celebrate their Freedom of the City for the first time, after they were granted the honour last December. In doing so, HMS Dragon joined Wrexham Football Club, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Royal Welsh (formerly the Royal Welch Fusiliers), North Wales Police double Olympic gold medal-winning rower Tom James and former Prime Minister David Lloyd George among those honoured with the Freedom of the County Borough. The sailors will arrive onto Llwyn Isaf green (outside the Guildhall) at 10.40am, before marching through the city centre. The ship is the first since the Second World War to be affiliated with Wrexham, and the partnership was sealed at a ceremony in Portsmouth back in April 2024. TOP STORIES TODAY The ship is one of the Royal Navy's advanced Type 45 air defence destroyers, and is instantly recognisable with her roaring Welsh Dragons emblazoned across her bows. North Wales Police have warned that there will likely be 'disruption' to parking in the city centre during the event on Friday. There will be a small number of road closures for a short period as a result, and access into and out of the Library and Waterworld car parks will be limited. Further details including timings and locations will be published later this week.
Rhyl Journal
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe granted Freedom of the City
Howe masterminded the club's first domestic trophy win for 70 years in March when the Magpies lifted the Carabao Cup, and since then has steered the club to Champions League qualification. Some 300,000 fans lined the streets of Newcastle to watch the players parade the cup through the city centre. Days after the cup win, council leader Karen Kilgour put the wheels in motion for Howe to join Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer and Jackie Milburn in gaining the freedom. That nomination was backed at a meeting of Newcastle City Council on Wednesday. The citation said: 'Eddie Howe's achievements during his time at Newcastle United are nothing short of extraordinary. 'Newcastle United is part of the fabric of our city with the fortunes of the club playing a huge part in the lives of supporters in Newcastle and across the world. 'Generations of supporters have never seen their beloved club lift a domestic trophy, and under his leadership we all now have treasured memories of a truly unforgettable day.' Ms Kilgour, a lifelong supporter and a season ticket holder at St James' Park, said: 'Eddie Howe will forever be a hero to Newcastle United supporters for his achievements during his time at the club so far, and I'm thrilled members recognised the significance of his contribution to our city by approving to bestow upon him the Honorary Freedom of Newcastle. 'That special day at Wembley gifted Geordies something they hadn't seen in 70 years, domestic trophy success. 'For a city that lives and breathes sport with a football club around which so many lives revolve, the wait to see black and white shirts lift a trophy at the home of football had long felt it would go on forever. 'Since day one, Eddie brought hope, belief and ambition back to the club and its fans around the world, myself included. 'What it meant was clear to see from the celebrations around London and outside St James' Park on March 16, and was projected to the world during the unforgettable parade through our city which brought hundreds and thousands of happy fans together to celebrate with their cup-winning heroes. 'More than being the man who brought silverware back to Tyneside, Eddie is a fantastic ambassador for our city. 'He is passionate yet calm, inspiring and polite, and handles himself with grace in the face of both success and defeat.' A date will be set for Howe to receive the Freedom of the City at a special event. The highest honour the city can bestow, Freedom of the City means Howe will have his name inscribed in the wall of the Banqueting Hall at the Civic Centre, alongside the names of other recipients.
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe granted Freedom of the City
Howe masterminded the club's first domestic trophy win for 70 years in March when the Magpies lifted the Carabao Cup, and since then has steered the club to Champions League qualification. Some 300,000 fans lined the streets of Newcastle to watch the players parade the cup through the city centre. Days after the cup win, council leader Karen Kilgour put the wheels in motion for Howe to join Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer and Jackie Milburn in gaining the freedom. That nomination was backed at a meeting of Newcastle City Council on Wednesday. The citation said: 'Eddie Howe's achievements during his time at Newcastle United are nothing short of extraordinary. 'Newcastle United is part of the fabric of our city with the fortunes of the club playing a huge part in the lives of supporters in Newcastle and across the world. 'Generations of supporters have never seen their beloved club lift a domestic trophy, and under his leadership we all now have treasured memories of a truly unforgettable day.' Ms Kilgour, a lifelong supporter and a season ticket holder at St James' Park, said: 'Eddie Howe will forever be a hero to Newcastle United supporters for his achievements during his time at the club so far, and I'm thrilled members recognised the significance of his contribution to our city by approving to bestow upon him the Honorary Freedom of Newcastle. 'That special day at Wembley gifted Geordies something they hadn't seen in 70 years, domestic trophy success. 'For a city that lives and breathes sport with a football club around which so many lives revolve, the wait to see black and white shirts lift a trophy at the home of football had long felt it would go on forever. 'Since day one, Eddie brought hope, belief and ambition back to the club and its fans around the world, myself included. 'What it meant was clear to see from the celebrations around London and outside St James' Park on March 16, and was projected to the world during the unforgettable parade through our city which brought hundreds and thousands of happy fans together to celebrate with their cup-winning heroes. 'More than being the man who brought silverware back to Tyneside, Eddie is a fantastic ambassador for our city. 'He is passionate yet calm, inspiring and polite, and handles himself with grace in the face of both success and defeat.' A date will be set for Howe to receive the Freedom of the City at a special event. The highest honour the city can bestow, Freedom of the City means Howe will have his name inscribed in the wall of the Banqueting Hall at the Civic Centre, alongside the names of other recipients.
South Wales Argus
28-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe granted Freedom of the City
Howe masterminded the club's first domestic trophy win for 70 years in March when the Magpies lifted the Carabao Cup, and since then has steered the club to Champions League qualification. Some 300,000 fans lined the streets of Newcastle to watch the players parade the cup through the city centre. Days after the cup win, council leader Karen Kilgour put the wheels in motion for Howe to join Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer and Jackie Milburn in gaining the freedom. That nomination was backed at a meeting of Newcastle City Council on Wednesday. The citation said: 'Eddie Howe's achievements during his time at Newcastle United are nothing short of extraordinary. 'Newcastle United is part of the fabric of our city with the fortunes of the club playing a huge part in the lives of supporters in Newcastle and across the world. 'Generations of supporters have never seen their beloved club lift a domestic trophy, and under his leadership we all now have treasured memories of a truly unforgettable day.' Alan Shearer has previously received the freedom of the city (Owen Humphreys/PA) Ms Kilgour, a lifelong supporter and a season ticket holder at St James' Park, said: 'Eddie Howe will forever be a hero to Newcastle United supporters for his achievements during his time at the club so far, and I'm thrilled members recognised the significance of his contribution to our city by approving to bestow upon him the Honorary Freedom of Newcastle. 'That special day at Wembley gifted Geordies something they hadn't seen in 70 years, domestic trophy success. 'For a city that lives and breathes sport with a football club around which so many lives revolve, the wait to see black and white shirts lift a trophy at the home of football had long felt it would go on forever. 'Since day one, Eddie brought hope, belief and ambition back to the club and its fans around the world, myself included. 'What it meant was clear to see from the celebrations around London and outside St James' Park on March 16, and was projected to the world during the unforgettable parade through our city which brought hundreds and thousands of happy fans together to celebrate with their cup-winning heroes. 'More than being the man who brought silverware back to Tyneside, Eddie is a fantastic ambassador for our city. 'He is passionate yet calm, inspiring and polite, and handles himself with grace in the face of both success and defeat.' A date will be set for Howe to receive the Freedom of the City at a special event. The highest honour the city can bestow, Freedom of the City means Howe will have his name inscribed in the wall of the Banqueting Hall at the Civic Centre, alongside the names of other recipients.
