Ilkeston - The Sherwood
Foresters Parade
w/e 22 September
2002
All of the pictures on this page were taken by
my wife, Sandra.
The boys are back in town! Four hundred soldiers of the 1st Battalion
of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters descended on Ilkeston
last week. A number of them in camouflage with a variety of vehicles
proved a popular attraction in the Market Place.
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As did their mascot "Derby" the ram with his minders
stationed outside the Town Hall.
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But the main event of the day was a march through he streets
of the town by the main body of soldiers. Here the colour party
turn in front of the Town Hall from Wharncliffe Road followed
closely by two soldiers bearing axes - a reminder of the forester
association.
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A marching band in brightly coloured uniforms and more soberly
dressed members of the Foresters added to the impressive spectacle
as they quick marched towards Bath Street.
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A few minutes later they returned up Bath Street to salute the
current Mayor of Erewash, Councillor George Buckley. The Foresters
were exercising their right to march through the town, being
granted the freedom of the town in 1951.
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Many members of the Battalion come from the local area and there
is still an active branch of Sherwood Foresters Association in
the town. My uncle served with the Foresters in the Second World
War and had he still been alive today, he would have been proud
to take his place alongside these veterans.
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