The Welsh Guards will be granted the honorary Freedom of Ceredigion by councillors.

Ceredigion County Council has granted a request for the Welsh Guards to have the honorary freedom of the county during a meeting in Aberaeron before Christmas.

A ceremony will be held in Cardigan on 24 June at the request of the regiment following the approval of full council.

The move comes following the service of commemoration and dedication of a new plaque on Cardigan War Memorial, recognising the “ultimate sacrifice” of three residents.

In the same week, on 27 June, a parade will be held for the reaffirmation of the Freedom of Ceredigion for the Royal Welsh, this time in Aberaeron.

Members were also asked to note that the formal launch of the Veteran’s Hub in Penparcau had been postponed because of the general election and will now be held on 26 March.

Colonel Tom Bonas of the Welsh Guards had written to the council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Paul Hinge to ask that the council consider granting the Freedom of the County to the regiment.

In his letter, Colonel Bonas wrote: “We have Freedoms of other counties in Wales as well as cities and towns, but Ceredigion is a notable exception.

“It is such a beautiful county with a rich heritage and one we would be greatly honoured to be formally associated with. Thus, I would ask the county chairman and council whether they would consider offering Her Majesty’s Fifth Regiment of Foot Guards, and Wales’ only Foot Guards Regiment, the Freedom of the County.”

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