Hungerford says: ‘Welcome home!’

Flag-waving children and around 2,000 residents joined the families of soldiers and civic dignitaries to welcome home from Afghanistan the regiment which has adopted Hungerford as its second home.
Afterwards, commanding officer Lt Col Stefan Crossfield summed up the mood on Saturday, saying: “Soldiers tend to be stoic and don’t show emotion readily - but, deep down, I can assure you, every one of us was delighted with the turnout today.”
The salute was taken by Gen Sir Mike Jackson, who lives in Hungerford and who served as Chief of the General Staff and Head of the Army until 2006.
To the stirring strains of Lillibullero, the REME regimental march played by the Hungerford Town Band, they marched at 1.30pm from the war memorial down the High Street to the Town Hall. From there they proceeded proudly to the parade ground - Church Street car park - were they were formally welcomed by town mayor Martin Crane.
Also in attendance were Constable of the Town and Manor Susan Hofgartner, Newbury mayor Anthony Pick, Newbury MP Richard Benyon, Chamber of Commerce chairman Nigel Perrin and West Berkshire Council chairman Keith Chopping (Con, Sulhamstead).
For more see this week's Newbury Weekly News.