Crowds turn out to see crew honoured (From Western Telegraph)

Crowds turn out to see crew honoured

4:57pm Wednesday 6th September 2006 in

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DESPITE the dismal weather, hundreds lined the streets of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock to see the freedom of both towns being conferred on HMS Pembroke on Saturday.

It is the first time that the Freedom of Entry has been conferred on a vessel by two towns.

A formal ceremony was held at Pembroke Castle before the parade through Main Street, which was led by the Royal Marines band and followed by the ship's company.

The salute was taken by mayor of Pembroke, Rose Blackburn, before a joint civic service at St Michael's Church, Pembroke.

She said: "The day was wonderful, it really made me feel I was seeing history in the making and I know the crew loved Pembroke and Pembroke Dock."

In the afternoon there was a parade in Pembroke Dock, from Albion Square, along Bush Street, through Laws Street and finally Lower Meyrick Street.

Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Sue Perkins, took the salute at the Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock.

She said the day was a joint event for the two towns and added: "It was absolutely fantastic, something we can be very proud of and hopefully this is only the beginning. They will be coming again and when they do it will be a special occasion."