Parade and helicopter flypast as RNAS Culdrose celebrates 75th anniversary
Over 150 sailors will march through the streets of Helston on Wednesday
Last updated 6th Apr 2022
Cornwall's RNAS Culdrose is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a massive parade through Helston.
More than 150 sailors will march through the streets on Wednesday morning (6th April).
They will be joined by local school children and the HMS Seahawk Band, ahead of a flypast by a Merlin helicopter returning from training.
Officials say the event, jointly organised by the Royal Navy and Helston Town Council, will be a bigger and better version of the annual Freedom of Helston Parade, featuring the HMS Seahawk Volunteer Band, Royal Navy officers and ratings, HMS Seahawk Field Gun Team and a fire engine from the airfield.
The parade will be held down Meneage Street and Coinagehall Street between 10am and 11am.
The helicopter flypast is scheduled to take place over Coinagehall Street at 11am.
Helston Mayor, Councillor Tim Grattan-Kane, said: "It is with great pride and pleasure that I anticipate the Freedom Parade on April 6th.
"Culdrose is a key element within our community. Over many years its sailors provided the air-sea rescue facility for our community. There is no doubt that there are hundreds if not thousands of people who owe their lives to the skills and bravery of the aircrews.
"It is fitting that we also recall their bravery in conflict on the 40th anniversary of the Falklands war. Without their willingness to put their helicopters in danger many more ships would have been exposed to danger.
"Helston is enriched by the presence of Culdrose, by the families in our schools, the members of the community who work on site and all the personnel who live in our community and contribute so much.
"It must be a positive indication that so many personnel remain in the Helston area upon retirement".
The Mayor added: "We welcome the captain and personnel of HMS Seahawk exercising their freedom of the town and thank them for their service".
RNAS Culdrose was first granted the Freedom of the Borough of Helston in 1958.
It is the highest privilege a town can give to a military establishment.
Captain Stuart Finn, the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose added: "We are delighted to be back in Helston having cancelled our community events for the past two years due to coronavirus restrictions.
"This year is especially important to us as we mark 75 years since the commissioning of RNAS Culdrose.
"A lot has happened in that time but the links and bonds between the air station and Helston are as strong as ever".