4 Days to go!

As we enter into the national Armed Forces Week, a reminder that this Friday will see the Freedom Celebration Parade through Odiham High Street – this will formally award “Freedom of the Parish” to RAF Odiham, the highest civic honour the Parish Council can bestow, as a tribute to commemorate 100 years of military aviation in the village.

The Freedom of the Parish, enabled through the Local Government Act 1972, is a symbolic but significant recognition of exceptional service to the community. This honour dates back to ancient Rome which regarded the “pomerium”, the boundary of the city, as sacred. Promagistrates and generals were forbidden from entering it, and resigned their imperium immediately upon crossing it. An exception was made for victory celebrations (called triumphs), during which the victorious general would be permitted to enter for one day only. Freedom of the City was then an ancient honour granted to martial organisations, allowing them the privilege to march into the city “with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed”.

Well, there won’t be many bayonets this Friday, but there will be many proud members, past and present, of RAF Odiham, accompanied by the sound of freedom when the Mighty Wokka does its flypast……

Cllr Dr Angela McFarlane, Chair, Odiham Parish Council said, “Odiham Parish Council is proud to recognise the achievement of 100 years of aviation at Royal Air Force Odiham by conferring Freedom of the Parish on all who work or live on the station. This is an historic event for Odiham Parish, commemorating the close bond between those who serve and the wider community to mark the esteem in which we hold RAF Odiham.”