Hundreds of people lined the streets of Newport City to cheer the Ship's Company of HMS Severn as they watched the parade to celebrate the life of the ship.
The Royal Navy patrol ship was Newport’s affiliated naval vessel and visited the city for the last time at the weekend prior to being decommissioned at the end of the month.
The ship berthed at the city docks while the ship’s company, including a guard bearing arms with bayonets fixed, and a band exercised the ship’s traditional Freedom of the City by parading the streets in front of the ship’s captain and city mayor and other dignitaries. The event included a short service at the D-Day Memorial.
The crowds waved banners and cheered as the sailors marched past for the last time with HMS Severn. The ship will be replaced by a class of larger Royal Navy patrol vessels.
Newport County Council Leader Debbie Wilcox said, “The Freedom of the City of Newport was confirmed to HMS Severn in 2003. The council is extremely proud of its close association with the Royal Navy and the captain and crew of HMS Severn.
“I am delighted and honoured to be able to formally present the scroll celebrating the strong ties and association of HMS Severn.’’
The ship was first presented with the honorary freedom of the city in 2006 when the captain and crew held the first parade.
Lieutenant Commander Hugh Harris, HMS Severn captain said, “I am immensely proud to have brought Severn back home to Newport for her 15th and final visit prior to her decommissioning next week.
“The affiliation between the ship and city has always been very strong and the ship's company and I have been touched by the warmth of welcome that we have received.’’
HMS Severn has visited Newport 15 times over her 14-year-life, but this is only the second time that she has exercised the freedom to march through the city.
Hugh added, “I would like to thank the Mayor and Council of Newport for allowing us to march through the streets and every one of the well over a thousand people who came out to support us.
“After the ship decommissions next week, her bell will be loaned to the City of Newport for display in the Civic Centre to act as a lasting reminder of the bond of friendship we have shared over the last 14 years.
"Severn has been privileged to be affiliated to Newport, she could not have had a more welcoming and supportive home town."
