Ridgeway Ramblings April 2010 by Councillor Mike Preston

I try to find something new to talk about in my Ramblings each month. I have been relating a number of events I have been to over the last few months. But possibly the most important was on Saturday 10th April at Loughborough. The Borough Granted the Freedom of Entry of the Borough to the 158 (Royal Anglian) Transport Regiment and The Royal Logistics Corps (Volunteers).
Freedom of Entry to the Borough of Charnwood
The practice of granting the ‘Freedom of Entry’ upon military units has its roots deep in the history of local government; it is an interesting example of the power and influence of old boroughs in the past. During the Middle Ages, formed bodies of troops were not allowed to march through a borough without seeking the permission of the Council. As most boroughs were surrounded by a fortified wall, the city fathers were in a position to refuse access if, for some reason, they were suspicious of the Military Commander’s intentions. The Freedom of entry would normally be granted to locally based troops once mutual confidence and friendship had been established and when the citizens were satisfied that the troops would protect their interests. Permission to enter confers upon individual Regiments the right `to march through the town with due ceremonial, drums beating, bands playing and banners flying’, in recognition of the confidence, trust and friendship existing between citizens and soldiers. Such permission is usually granted by the presentation of a sealed and illuminated certificate, which is presented at a formal parade. Freedom of Entry to the Borough, as granted to a military unit is distinct and separate from the granting of the ‘Freedom of the Borough’ to an individual. The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award the Council can make to an individual or military organisation. Charnwood has only once given the Freedom of Entry and that was to the Royal Anglian Regiment in June 2007. 158 (Royal Anglian) Transport Regiment RLC is honoured to have been awarded the Freedom of all other areas where its sub-units are stationed. This includes Peterborough, Bedford and Ipswich. The final location where regimental personnel are based is the Borough of Charnwood.
The ceremony started at 10.30am with a special Council meeting in the Town Hall. The Mayor and civic party went to Queens Park, prior to the arrival of the regiment. The Mayor inspected the troops and then presented the Freedom of the Borough Scroll. The Regiment then marched around the town with drums beating, bands playing and banners flying. The final part of the ceremony was when the parade marched past the dignitaries on the dais.
Recycled humps, quieter bumps
Rubber speed bumps are being used to cut traffic speed in Syston. The innovative safety measures, made from recycled rubber tyres, are the first of their kind in Leicestershire and have been put in along Barkby Road. As well as being quicker and easier to install than the concrete type, they are much quieter, more environmentally friendly and more economical to produce. As part of a £65,000 project, the County Council has introduced four pairs of speed bumps and a speed table (a speed bump covering the width of the road with a flat section in the middle) and improve the visibility at two junctions along Barkby Road. This modern type of speed measure is made of recycled material which is far less energy-intensive to produce.