Freedom of the Borough

BREWERY'S GIFT TO "FREEDOM" SOLDIERS

Soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment are to receive bottles of ale from Lancashire brewer Daniel Thwaites to commemorate the regiment's awarding of Freedom of Ribble Valley.

The Freedom of the Borough event will be marked by the presentation of a scroll to Brigadier Mike Griffiths CBE by Ribble Valley Mayor Lois Rimmer in Market Place, Clitheroe, following a march through the town centre by 130 soldiers from the regiment's 1st Battalion supported by the Band of the King's Division.

The soldiers will tuck into the Liberation Ale, as well as a special sausage, the Duke of Lancaster's, devised by Cowman's Famous Sausage Shop of Clitheroe, at a reception afterwards.

Liberation Ale was launched by Daniel Thwaites in 2004 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day and has subsequently raised over £100,000 for the Royal British Legion.

Ribble Valley Borough Council Leader Michael Ranson said: "Daniel Thwaites is a premier brewer with a proud Lancashire heritage and we are delighted that they are helping us honour the servicemen and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

Daniel Thwaites' district sales manager, Dave James, said: "We are delighted to honour the Duke of Lancashire's Regiment and what better way than with a pint of our award-winning Liberation Ale!"

Colonel Martin Amlôt, the Duke of Lancaster's regimental secretary, added: "This is another generous indication of the marvellous support that our soldiers receive from Ribble Valley and I look forward to tasting the Liberation Ale, in moderation of course!"

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, will march from Moor Lane to Market Place at 10.45 am on Thursday, March 10, where they will be presented with a commemorative illuminated scroll signed by civic leaders and a specially commissioned drum major's sash featuring an embroidered Ribble Valley crest and regimental badge, before parading out of town.