Madam, I would like to thank all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organise the details of The Rifles Freedom of Ross-on-Wye ceremonies last Saturday.

An event like this takes hundreds of hours of detailed organising. I would particularly like to thank the Town Council's Town Clerk, Denise Mason, the Deputy Town Clerk, Rachel Lewis, Councillor Caroline Utting and Mary Sinclair-Powell for all their hard work. Also, thank you to all the volunteer stewards who did such sterling work on a burning hot day. Without you, this superb event would not have been possible.

Finally, thanks go to The Rifles Regiment, the Royal British Legion and the Army Cadets, who put on such a fantastic spectacle on the day. Thank you, one and all. You produced a fantastic display which will live in the memories of those who witnessed it for years to come.

Cllr Chris Bartrum, Mayor of Ross-on-Wye