Marching bands parade through sunny Poole Quay

MARCHING bands paraded through Poole Quay on Saturday afternoon as a docked navy ship was given the freedom of Poole.

HMS Cattistock was given the highest honour a town can bestow upon the Royal Navy or one of His Majesty’s ships on May 4.

The entire ship’s company marched through the streets of Poole, some 70 servicemen and women and led by the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marine Plymouth, as hundreds of residents watched on.

HMS Cattistock in Poole Quay (Image: Daily Echo)

Marching band (Image: Neil King)

The parade signified the freedom of Poole (Image: Neil King)

Poole’s mayor Jo Clements presented the ship’s Casket Party with the Freedom Scroll, with HMS Cattistock being the first to receive this honour.

HMS Cattistock was launched in 1981 and commissioned in 1982 as the third in her class and the third navy ship to bear the name.

Lieutenant commander Jonny Campbell, commanding officer of HMS Cattistock, said: “The affiliation between HMS Cattistock and the people of Poole and village of Cattistock is long established and remains an important link.

“We have always been warmly welcomed by Poole and hugely enjoy visiting to see our friends including cadets, schools and the maritime community.

“I am really pleased that the ship can visit again and maintain the link between the British people and the Royal Navy.”