The Welsh Guards are returning to Bridgend to host their annual St David’s Day Parade and Leek Giving Ceremony on Saturday, 1st March 2025 in the Town Centre.
The Welsh Guards are returning to Bridgend to host their annual St David’s Day Parade and Leek Giving Ceremony on Saturday, 1st March 2025 in the Town Centre.
The First Battalion Welsh Guards will proudly provide a Guard of Honour and exercise their Freedom of the Borough of Bridgend for the first time. They will march through the streets of Bridgend, accompanied by the Regimental Band, cadets, and their Veterans Association.
The parade will culminate in a service at the War Memorial, where the Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Peter Vaughan, will uphold tradition by handing out leeks. This will be followed by a march past and a salute to the Lord Lieutenant.
The Welsh Guards have chosen Bridgend as the location for their parade, an honour reflecting the town’s strong connections to Welsh culture and military tradition. The last time the parade was held in Wales was in 2019, in Brecon.
The event, organised by Bridgend Town Council in partnership with The Welsh Guards, will see the parade, led by The Band of the Welsh Guards, step off from the Bowls Centre, Angel Street, at approximately 10.20hrs. 60 First Battalion Welsh Guardsmen, 250 Welsh Guard Association Veterans and up to 50 cadets will march to the town centre arriving at the War Memorial in Dunraven Place for the service at 11.00
During the service, leeks will be presented to serving personnel in a time-honoured St David’s Day custom. A second parade around the town will follow, concluding with a march past and salute at the War Memorial before the battalion march back to the Bowls Centre to fall out.
Cllr Ian Williams, Mayor of Bridgend Town Council, expressed pride in hosting this significant event:
“We are deeply honoured that the Welsh Guards have chosen Bridgend for this special occasion. St David’s Day is a time to celebrate Welsh culture and identity, and this parade will be a momentous event for our community. We encourage residents and visitors to line the streets and show their support for the Welsh Guards, our veterans, and cadets.”
Everyone is welcome to join in this historic and patriotic celebration on St David’s Day. Bridgend Town Council encourage people to come together as a community to show appreciation for the Welsh Guards and mark this special occasion in true Welsh spirit.
The parade route will be: Angel Street, Water Street, Queen Street, Caroline Street, Adare Street, York Place, Market Street to Dunraven Place. After the service the parade will recommence via Wyndham Street, York Place, Market Street, Dunraven Place before returning to the Bowls Centre to fall out.
One of the best locations to view the parade will be on Angel Street between HALO Leisure and Water Street Bridge as it is anticipated that space will be limited at the War Memorial and immediate surrounding areas.
To ensure the event runs smoothly, road closures and parking restrictions will be in place across the town centre, with full details available in advance. We appreciate that this may cause some temporary disruption, however hosting the Welsh Guards will bring considerable cultural and economic benefits to the area, drawing visitors from all over Wales, and boosting local businesses.
The Town Council wish to extend it’s thanks to South Wales Police and Bridgend County Borough Council for their support with the arrangements for this event.
For more information about this Press Release, please contact Dawn Elliott, Community Engagement and Events Manager, Bridgend Town Council at dawn.elliott@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 815 757 Mob: 07817 958 756
