HMS Monmouth to receive honour (From Free Press Series)

HMS Monmouth to receive honour

HMS Monmouth, a Royal Navy Type 23 frigate, is to receive the Freedom of the Town at a major ceremony in Monmouth on Sunday.

The ship is affiliated to Monmouth and will be initially rededicated at a ceremony at its homeport HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, before sailing to Wales on Wednesday 14 January, and receiving the honour of the Freedom of the City in Monmouth.

The rededication ceremony will be held next to the ship on the jetty, welcoming it back into the fleet after a major re-fit.

The ship, known as the Black Duke, will sail soon after the rededication to arrive the next day, Thursday January 15, to meet up in Cardiff with guests onboard from its affiliated town of Monmouth.

On Sunday, January 18, the ship's company will attend the Freedom of the Town ceremony in Monmouth, followed by a church service in St Mary's Church.

The ship's commanding officer Commander Guy Haywood will be presented with a scroll to mark the award of the Freedom of Monmouth from Town Mayor Councillor Susan White.

Commander Haywood said: "Having come out of refit last March straight into a very busy time of trials and exercises HMS Monmouth and her ship's company are extremely proud to be able to carry out the rededication ceremony which officially sees the ship become an integral part of the Fleet again."

"We are also extremely honoured to have been given the Freedom of the Town of Monmouth. It is a mark of the strong relationship that exists between the town and the ship and is one I hope continues for a long time to come."