Ayr Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets have become the first cadet organisation in South Ayrshire to receive the Freedom of the Burgh, an honour presented during a day of ceremonies marking the unit’s 85th anniversary.
The milestone was celebrated with two special ceremonies on Saturday, August 29. The day began with the dedication of the unit’s first-ever Colour, formally presented by the Lord-Lieutenant.
Ayr parade and Town Hall ceremony
Following the dedication, cadets paraded through Ayr before travelling to Ayr Town Hall. There, the Provost presented the unit with the Freedom of the Burgh.
The civic honour is the highest distinction that South Ayrshire Council can bestow. It has been granted only four times since 2009, placing the cadets’ anniversary celebration among a small number of recipients.
Honour recognises 85 years of service
The award recognises the unit’s long-standing service to the local community and its work supporting generations of young people throughout its 85-year history.
A spokesperson for the unit described the presentation as a major honour and thanked the Lord-Lieutenant, the Provost and South Ayrshire Council for helping to make the occasion special.
This is a huge honour for us. It also makes us the first-ever cadet organisation to be awarded the Freedom in South Ayrshire.
A huge thank you goes to the Lord-Lieutenant, the Provost and South Ayrshire Council for helping to make the day so special.
BZ to all the cadets involved. You should be extremely proud of yourselves. Your hard work certainly showed.
The unit also thanked visiting cadet organisations that attended and supported the celebration, helping the historic event run smoothly.