Page 6 - 4RA Regimental Journal 2019-2020

4th Regiment Royal Artillery
A message from the Mayor of Sunderland
My name is Councillor David Snow- don and I am the current Mayor of Sunderland. I was inaugurated
into the Office of Mayor in May 2019 and due to Coronavirus I have become one of very few Mayor’s in Sunderland’s history to serve as Mayor for two consecutive years.
When you first become Mayor of your city you are informed about all the roles and responsibilities you will bear during your term in office, the important people you may have the honour to meet and events you will attend. It is not until you begin to fulfil these roles and responsibilities that you really understand and appreciate just how much of a privilege it is to be Mayor of your city.
Some of the greatest memories I will take from my time as Mayor will be those of time spent with the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, or better known to us in Sunder- land as ‘The North East Gunners’ or ‘The Gunners.’
To show ‘The Gunners’ how much they are appreciated by our city and its people and given the regiment’s highest intake of recruits come from Sunderland on the 19th December 1973 they were bestowed with Freedom of the Borough of Sunderland (now known as Freedom of the City) giving the regiment the right to parade through the city centre at any time they wish. To this day hundreds of residents gather in the streets of the city centre to welcome the regiment whenever they chose to exer- cise their right to a Freedom Parade. Our residents are always keen to thank ‘The Gunners’ for all they do to keep us and our great nation safe from harm.
My first memory of meeting with mem- bers of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery was in May 2019 over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend when they came home to Sunderland for their Reunion Weekend. I joined Officers in a local venue where they hosted their awards evening for a Golf Tournament the officers had attended earlier that day. The following morning, we met at the Burdon Road War Memorial for a short service and I had the great hon-
our of laying a wreath in memory of our lost service men and women. After that I remember we all had a brilliant afternoon in the local ‘Gunners Club’ getting to know each other and sharing stories.
Shortly before I became Mayor in May 2019, half of the regiment were deployed to Cyprus for 6 months. When I received an invitation from Lt Col Chris Hakes to attend Operation TOSCA 30 Medals Parade and Families Day at Allanbrooke Barracks I was overjoyed and feel humbled that I was able to present some of the well deserving soldiers with their United Nations medals. During the day I was given a tour of the barracks, met so many Officers, Soldiers and their families and learned more about the invaluable work they undertook whilst on deployment in Cyprus. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am truly thank- ful for the experience.
I must say thank you for the ongoing sup- port that 4th Regiment Royal Artillery gives Sunderland City Council on its Remem- brance Day Parade each year, we continue to host the largest Remembrance Parade outside of London which is something as a city we are incredibly proud of. The hard work and dedication of the Parade RSM over the years in helping with the planning process and leading the serving military and veterans on Remembrance Sunday, has been greatly appreciated. This impor- tant working relationship is one that we hold in high regard and hope will con- tinue for many years to come. To have the opportunity as Mayor to lead this parade alongside the Parade RSM and Gunners is amongst one of the proudest days I have had to date.
Another once in a lifetime experience was being invited by RSM WO1 Craig Hil- ton to join him at a live firing exercise in Otterburn. It was a cold and muddy day in March just a week or so before the coun- try went into a National Lockdown and the Mayoress and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Not only did I get to live out my childhood dream of firing one of the big guns, but the day also really gave me an insight into how much gruelling train- ing the members of this regiment do on a regular basis regardless of weather condi- tions. What they do to keep us safe is truly remarkable and I cannot praise them and all other service personnel enough. I also got to keep the shell from the bullet I fired as a souvenir which I will treasure forever and plan to have it engraved soon.
During the pandemic crisis our Armed Forces have played vital roles in assist- ing the Government’s response to protect the NHS and save lives. I would person- ally like to thank everyone in the 4th Regi- ment Royal Artillery for the part they have played during the pandemic with support- ing the build of the Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate and testing citizens across the North East.
Thank you to you all and please keep up the great work you are doing to protect your great nation and its people.
We in Sunderland are so thankful and grateful for the working relationship we have with the 4th Regiment Royal Artil- lery and look forward to when we can once again meet in person and continue to grow and strengthen our longstanding affiliation.
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