More than 150 sailors from RNAS Culdrose will march through the streets of Helston today to celebrate the air station’s 75th anniversary.
The public are invited to watch the parade which will be held down Meneage Street and Coinagehall Street between 10am and 11am on Wednesday, April 6.
The event will be a bigger and better version of the annual Freedom of Helston Parade, featuring the HMS Seahawk Volunteer Band, Royal Navy officers and ratings, HMS Seahawk Field Gun Team and a fire engine from the airfield. A Merlin helicopter returning from training is scheduled to fly over Coinagehall Street at 11am.
The event has been organised jointly between the Royal Navy and Helston Town Council.
Helston mayor Councillor Tim Grattan-Kane said: “It is with great pride and pleasure that I anticipate the Freedom Parade on April 6. Culdrose is a key element within our community.
“Over many years, its sailors provided the air-sea rescue facility for our community. There is no doubt that there are hundreds if not thousands of people who owe their lives to the skills and bravery of the aircrews.
The Freedom Parade back in 2019
“It is fitting that we also recall their bravery in conflict on the 40th anniversary of the Falklands war. Without their willingness to put their helicopters in danger many more ships would have been exposed to danger.
“Helston is enriched by the presence of Culdrose, by the families in our schools, the members of the community who work on site and all the personnel who live in our community and contribute so much. It must be a positive indication that so many personnel remain in the Helston area upon retirement.
“We welcome the captain and personnel of HMS Seahawk exercising their freedom of the town and thank them for their service.”
Sailors waiting for inspection at a previous Freedom Parade
Captain Stuart Finn, the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose added: “We are delighted to be back in Helston having cancelled our community events for the past two years due to coronavirus restrictions.
“This year is especially important to us as we mark 75 years since the commissioning of RNAS Culdrose. A lot has happened in that time but the links and bonds between the air station and Helston are as strong as ever.”
Please note that Meneage Street and Coinagehall Street will be subject to a road closure during the parade.
The public are asked to be vigilant in the run up to the event and on the day, and report any suspicious activity to RNAS Culdrose, the police or the security team who will be on hand throughout the parade.
RNAS Culdrose was first granted the Freedom of the Borough of Helston in 1958. It is the highest privilege a town can give to a military establishment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here