Honour for regiment to grace Ludlow Castle walls
The moment when a military regiment was granted the freedom of Ludlow will be beamed on to the walls of the town's castle as part of Christmas celebrations.
Footage showing members of the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment marching through the town centre will be shown during a day of activities on Saturday, which will include switching on the Christmas lights.
More than 100 soldiers, preceded by the regimental goat, paraded through the town in September with banners flying, band playing and bayonets fixed in celebration of the 325th anniversary of the raising of the Royal Welch Fusiliers (RWF) at Ludlow Castle by Lord Herbert in 1689.
Town clerk Gina Wilding said it had been a "proud day" in Ludlow's history, and urged people to attend to relive the occasion.
The lights will be turned on by mayor of Ludlow Councillor Paul Draper at 5pm after an afternoon of festive fun in Castle Square, including performances from three choirs and a band.
Ludlow Town Council workers are putting up the Christmas lights and tree in preparation for the big day, and in what has now become a tradition, a drawing by a local school pupil has been selected to appear on council publications as its official Christmas image.
That pupil, six-year-old Keeley Evans, will start proceedings when she arrives on Santa's reindeer-pulled sleigh.
Ms Wilding said from 1.15pm to 2.15pm Ludlow Concert Band will play carols and afterwards Sunshine Radio will play festive music and run competitions and give-aways from the road show stage.
Ludlow Male Voice Choir, accompanied by Bella Acapella, will sing at 3pm and the Rockspring Choir will continue the festive entertainment at 4pm.
As darkness descends, glow sticks will be given out and the mayor will lead the countdown to switch on Ludlow's lights and tree at 5pm.
Images of the celebration of Freedom of Ludlow to the Royal Welsh will then be projected on to the walls of the castle so that the townsfolk can "rekindle the heartfelt joy of Ludlow's proud day", according to Ms Wilding.
After the switch on, the Rotary Tree of Light to remember loved ones will be illuminated in Castle Gardens, following a torch-lit procession from Quality Square.
