Southampton's plans to honour 1PWRR are not good enough

It should be a day when they city is bursting with civic pride, the streets decorated with bunting and lined with thousands of people wanting to welcome our soldiers home.

In just six days’ time up to 300 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (1PWRR), will arrive in the city fresh from gruelling tours of Afghanistan and Iraq to march through the streets.

But instead, Southampton’s attempt to give our troops the heroes welcome they deserve has been labelled as “shameful” – with no fanfare or attempt to encourage residents to join in the celebration.

The Daily Echo can today reveal how local schools had not been informed of the march and parade planned for the city next Tuesday.

Those who the Echo contacted who did want to bring pupils are facing the reality of not being able to because of a lack of transport or money to pay for it.

Union flags are to be flown from the civic offices along with the regiment’s flag, but none will be placed along the route to the Bargate.

While a civic reception has been arranged for the squaddies to enjoy coffee and sandwiches with VIP guests, even that has been snubbed by the city’s MPs.

Neither Itchen MP and Cabinet minister John Denham nor Test MP Alan Whitehead will be attending because of commitments in Parliament.

Details of the event, including information for disabled members of the community, have also not been divulged leaving a number of people questioning whether they will be able to find a suitable space to see the parade and presentation of medals.

In fact the only indication of next Tuesday’s homecoming parade for the soldiers – nicknamed The Tigers – are a few road closure signs which have been put up around the city.

The route of the Southampton march.

Southampton City Council have known of the event for several months.

It’s not known why bigger plans were not put in place, but one source blamed a lack of cash among the reasons.

It was only when the Daily Echo intervened that deputy council leader Royston Smith stepped in to rally the cause with his colleagues and council officials.

It’s understood that two schools, who had registered interest in attending, are now being bussed into the city centre after Cllr Smith found cash in his budget to pay for transport.

Members of the city’s branch of the Royal British Legion, who will have ten members joining the parade, say they are not surprised at the city council’s apparent lack of interest.

Secretary Archie Parsons said: “I think it is very sad that the council has not publicised it. The schools should all be involved and there should be bunting and flags all over the streets. The council should be looking to welcome these lads home in the warmest of ways – they are heroes after all.

He added: “We are a major city and should be on the map for events like these. I know money is tight but it wouldn’t cost an awful lot to turn this into the kind of event it should be.”