The First Battalion Welsh Guards will be joining Bridgend Town Council to host a St David’s Day Parade and Leek Giving Ceremony on Saturday 1 March 2025, in Bridgend Town Centre.
The event, which is organised by Bridgend Town Council in partnership with the Welsh Guards, will start at the Bowls Centre, Angel Street, CF31 4AH at 10.20am, culminating in traditional leek giving ceremony to serving personnel at the War Memorial in Dunraven Place, at 11am, with the Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Peter Vaughan.
After the ceremony, the parade, which will be led by the Band of the Welsh Guards, and include 60 First Battalion Welsh Guardsmen, 250 Welsh Guard Association Veterans and up to 50 cadets, will again march through the town centre, followed by a march past and salute to the Lord Lieutenant and the War Memorial, before returning to the Bowls Centre.
Bridgend County Borough Council and South Wales police are both offering support with the arrangements for the event, with the council also providing a Tourism Events Support Grant funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
- Residents and businesses are advised that road access to the town centre will be restricted from 8am until 1pm, during this time no deliveries will be permitted to enter the town centre streets.
- Road closures and parking restrictions will be in place along the parade route, which will include road closures between 09.45am and 10.45am, and 11.45am – 12.45pm at Angel Street and Rhiw Hill.
- A no parking zone will also be in affect between 8am and 1pm at Derwen Street and Rhiw Hill.
- The parade route will also include Water Street, Queen Street, Caroline Street, Adare Street, York Place, Market Street, Wyndham Street and Dunraven Place, where crowd control barriers will be in place on all streets apart from the lower end of Caroline Street and Adare Street. Access to shop entrances will be kept at all times.
- The Bowls Centre Car Park and the Open Car park behind the Halo Leisure Centre will be closed from 6pm on Friday 28 February until 6pm on Saturday 1 March 2025.These car parks will used for Welsh Guards Association car parking.
- Users of the Rhiw car park can expect delays upon arrival and / or exit as access to the car park will be closed for approximately 30 minutes when the parade starts and ends. Access will be reinstated as soon as the parade passes.
Residents are advised that they will be at risk of receiving a penalty charge if they abandon their cars in places that inconvenience residents or businesses.
“We are so proud to support Bridgend Town Council in this fitting tribute that celebrates our national pride and honours our strong military connections within the county borough. “It will be such a privilege to see the First Battalion Welsh Guards lead the parade and march through the streets of Bridgend town centre for the first time, on St David’s Day. “I would encourage all residents to join me in attendance, and I look forward to this terrific opportunity to show our support for the Welsh Guards, our veterans, serving personnel, and commemorating our history.”
“We welcome the many visitors who will be in attendance for what is the first Welsh Guards parade in Wales, since 2019. “This will be a fantastic boost for local businesses in Bridgend Town Centre, and a great opportunity to share and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our community”
