Big crowds turned out in Ashington for the parade.Big crowds turned out in Ashington for the parade.
Big crowds turned out in Ashington for the parade.

13 pictures from the Fifth Fusiliers' St George’s Day parade in front of a bumper crowd in Ashington

The Fifth Fusiliers have paraded through Ashington town centre in front of large crowds to mark St George’s Day.

The reserve battalion, based in Newcastle, marched from Woodhorn Road Car Park to Ashington Memorial Garden on Saturday, April 20, exercising their freedom of Northumberland.

In addition to recognising St George’s Day, the event marked 56 years since the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was formed and 350 years since the formation of antecedent regiment Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

Over 200 people took part in the parade, which was reviewed by honorary colonel Lord James Percy, colonel of the regiment Major General Jonathan Swift, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland Caroline Pryer, and other local dignitaries.

Ahead of the parade, lieutenant colonel John Gammon, commanding officer of the Fifth Fusiliers, said: “We continue to recruit from this area and the people of Ashington have always supported the Fusiliers so as a sign of respect and gratitude it is fitting to be hosting this year’s parade in the town.”