The Mayor of Richmond and members of Richmond Town Council will welcome around 45 service personnel from HMS Richmond to the town on Wednesday, January 21 for a farewell visit.
A parade, inspection and march will take place from 12 noon onwards in the centre of Richmond Market Place, near Trinity Church Tower, giving residents the opportunity to see the ship’s company and mark the long-standing connection between the town and the Royal Navy vessel.
Richmond Town Council bestowed the Freedom of the Town on HMS Richmond in July 1996, and the strong relationship has continued ever since.
Regular contact has been maintained through visits to the ship and ongoing updates from the crew throughout the years.
HMS Richmond is a Type 23 frigate, built at Swan Hunter Shipyard – the last warship to be constructed there. She was commissioned in June 1995 and is currently based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth.
With the ship due to be decommissioned within the next year, the visit provides an opportunity for the town to formally say farewell and thank the crew for their service.
