People in Norfolk are being urged to help ensure the Light Dragoons are given an extra special send-off.
Organisers of a farewell parade in Dereham on Thursday April 16 from 11am are encouraging as many people as possible to turn out and be part of a day to remember.
News has just emerged that a military flypast will take place during the event.
A Tornado from RAF Marham's 31 Squadron is due to perform a flyover at 11.45am.
The jet will fly along the length of the High Street, from north to south, giving crowds who have lined the streets an extra reason to cheer.
Tornados from RAF Marham have a history of supporting the Light Dragoons, as they worked together while deployed in Afghanistan.
The celebration is being organised by Breckland Council, in partnership with Norfolk County Council, Dereham Town Council and Swanton Morley Parish Council, to give people the chance to bid a final farewell to the troops who have been based at Swanton Morley for more than 15 years.
The regiment is due to be relocated to Yorkshire later this year.
Breckland Council chairman Robert Kybird said: 'This event will give us all an opportunity to show our support for the Light Dragoons and to thank the regiment which we've been proud to have as Norfolk residents and neighbours for many years.'
The parade will see 250 soldiers, 40 military musicians, and three vehicles make their way from the Cadet Centre on Norwich Street to Dereham's Market Place, where they will salute Brigadier Richard Heywood, the Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk.
The regiment will then be inspected by local dignitaries before it continues its farewell march to a service of thanksgiving in St Nicholas Church on Church Street.
Following the parade and church service, the Light Dragoons will be invited to attend a private celebratory event in the town where they will hear from representatives of a number of local organisations.
Each member of the Light Dragoons will also then be presented with a specially engraved drinking glass and bottle of beer with a personalised label to commemorate the event.
The gifts will be given to the troops as a joint gift from each of the partners and on behalf of the people of Norfolk.
• Our sister papers the Dereham Times and Fakenham and Wells Times are publishing a special 32-page supplement on the Light Dragoons
To enable the parade to take place on April 16, a number of temporary road closures and car parking restrictions will be in operation on the day and residents are being encouraged to consider their travel plans in advance
Parade route
The parade will begin at the Cadet Centre on Dereham's Norwich Street, and proceed via Cowper Road, Wellington Road, and the High Street, before finishing at St Nicholas Church on Church Street.
Temporary road closures
Cowper Road will be closed along its full length. Parking will not be permitted. 8am–11.30am
Norwich Street will be shut from Mattsell Way to the junction with Cowper Road. Parking will not be permitted. 8am–11.30am
Wellington Road will be shut from the junction with Cowper Road to the junction with the Market Place for a five minute period. Around 11.05am–11.25am
The whole Market Place, the full length of Church Street, and the full length of Red Lion Street will be shut. Parking will not be permitted. 8am–12.30pm
Quebec Street will be shut from its junction with Church Street to its junction with Ruthen Place. Parking will not be permitted. 8am–12.30pm
The High Street will be shut from its junction with Norwich Street to the Market Place. Parking will not be permitted. 8am–12.30pm
Car park restrictions
With the exception of the below, arrangements for all Breckland Council car parks in Dereham remain as normal.
Cherry Tree Car Park will be open to the public, but entry and exit will be restricted to the Theatre Street entrance only.
Cowper Road car park will be closed (7am to 12 noon).
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