In March 2009 the following motion was put to full council:

“In the light of recent events where the Honorary Freedom of the Borough, 205 (3^rdDurham Voluntary Artillery) Battery Royal Artillery (volunteers), have been deployed to Afghanistan, we call upon South Tyneside M.B.C. to express their full support for the 205 Battery in this dangerous and difficult time for them and their families.  Furthermore we request that the Council fly the 205 Battery flag from the Town Hall during their tour of duty and that a civic reception be held for them on their return.

The South Tyneside Independents believed that the motion being proposed by some councillors did not go far enough and failed to recognise the sacrifices made by our service personnel in other conflicts around the world. 

Councillor Ahmed Khan, deputy leader of the Independent Alliance proposed an amendment to the motion to ensure that their sacrifices and bravery were also recognised and that a homecoming parade be held so that the people of the borough could show their support.

Councillor Khan’s motion was unanimously approved.

The motion was: 

“Whilst we accept the spirit of the motion we believe it does not go far enough.  We are therefore asking Council to refer this matter to the Chief Executive and ask her to report back to this Council within 3 months with proposals for a homecoming parade followed by a civic reception to recognise the contribution, courage and sacrifices made by servicemen and women from South Tyneside who are currently serving or have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland.”

Almost 8 months later the South Tyneside Independents are  happy that the council has announced that a civic reception and homecoming parade for veterans from the borough will be held on Sunday 29th November”.

The event is to mark the sacrifices that many people from South Tyneside have made in all the recent conflicts which the UK has been involved in. Servicemen and women who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland have been invited to attend.

The families of those who have tragically lost their lives in any of those conflicts will also be there.

They will be joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Lord and Lady Dixon, Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside as well as all members of the council, local MPs and senior council officers.

Geraldine White, Independent Alliance councillor for the Fellgate & Hedworth ward said: “I’m very proud that the borough will honour these young men and women in this way and I urge everyone to come along on Sunday and show their support.

“This is a chance for local people to say thank you and to show our service men and women that we are thinking about them”. 

Councillor White whose son Kaarl served in the Royal Navy for many years also added, ”I understand how it feels to have loved ones in danger. Like every mother I was very proud, anxious and worried but I tried not to show it when he came home on leave.

“I understand the anguish that many people feel when their loved ones are serving their country and it’s essential we do everything possible to show them that we care and that what they are doing is worthwhile”.

The itinerary for Sunday’s homecoming parade will follow.

Share