THE spectacle of a military parade is set to grace the streets of Newton Abbot on Saturday, April 1, when the crew of HMS Triumph will exercise its freedom of the town.

It is the first time the honour has been bestowed on any organisation, creating a milestone in the community’s history.

A marching platoon of 30 submariners, armed with fixed bayonets, will be accompanied by up to 40 musicians from the South West Area Sea Cadets Band as they process from Victoria Gardens, through Courtenay Street to a stage in Wolborough Street where the Freedom Scroll will be presented by Mayor Cllr Carol Bunday to Commander Shaun Southwood.

Dignitaries set to attend include the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Commodore Jake Moores, and High Sheriff Nick McKinnel who is the former Bishop of Plymouth.

The parade will start to form at 1.45pm and set off at 2pm with brief rolling road closures in Queen Street and Union Street.

The 2.15pm presentation ceremony will include speeches by the Mayor and Town Clerk, and close with the singing of the National Anthem.

Cllr Bunday said: ‘It is a real honour to host the crew of HMS Triumph for this very special occasion and we hope the people of Newton Abbot will turn out in great numbers to welcome them.

‘Our historic market town has long links with the sea, not least the Newfoundland cod trade of the 17th century which did so much for our prosperity when other communities weren’t perhaps fairing as well.

‘Town Quay was also the departure point for any amount of locally produced goods and materials which were shipped to the four corners of the Earth, so to associate ourselves with The Royal Navy makes perfect sense.

‘And today, as throughout our nation’s history, we owe a debt of gratitude to our Armed Forces who serve their country and help to maintain our safety and security.

‘We salute the crew of HMS Triumph and are delighted to offer them the freedom of our town.’

The Freedom of Newton Abbot was formally announced by the Town Council in September 2019 when the then Commanding Officer, Commander Steve Waller, accepted the declaration at the old Town Hall in Devon Square.

In exchange Cdr Waller gave the Town Council a copy of the submarine’s badge to go on display when the authority moved to its new offices at Newton’s Place, Wolborough Street.

The relationship developed after the Mayo at the time, Cllr Richard Jenks, visited HMS Triumph in Devonport.

The Covid pandemic delayed plans for the parade and official scroll presentation.

Town Clerk Phil Rowe said: ‘I’m so pleased that we can finally complete the giving of the Freedom of Newton Abbot to Cdr Southwood and his crew.

‘We are also using their visit to formally open Newton’s Place, also later than planned of course, and are delighted to welcome High Sheriff Nick McKinnel who, when serving as Bishop of Plymouth, was instrumental in allowing us to repurpose the former St Leonard’s Church into what is now a magnificent museum, community space and town council offices.

‘This is going to be a great day in our town’s long history.