A SPECIAL celebration is being held in Dudley next weekend as RAF Cosford officially receives the freedom of the borough.

Royal Air Force personnel past and present will be honoured as part of the special ceremony on the steps of Dudley Council House at 10.30am on Sunday, September 16.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Alan Taylor, will officially present the freedom scroll to Group Captain Tone Baker, station commander of RAF Cosford, before more than 60 staff from the station march through the town “with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, colours flying, drums beating and bands playing”.

Organised in partnership between Dudley Council and Dudley Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), the event will also be marking the Battle of Britain.

The event will begin at 10.15am with music from the RAF Cosford Voluntary Band before RAF Cosford march to the steps of the council house for the ceremony.

The day will include a public service at St Thomas and St Luke’s Church (Top Church) at 11.30am, which will pay tribute to the heroes of the Second World War battle of the sky before a return parade through the town centre and the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph in Ednam Road.

Cllr Taylor said: “We are proud of our strong links with the armed forces and are honoured that RAF Cosford will be accepting the honour of Freedom of the Borough of Dudley.

“This year, being the centenary of the formation of the Royal Air Force, makes the occasion especially poignant as we remember and celebrate all those who have helped shape the service over the last 100 years.

“Events like this remind us all of the huge sacrifice they make and I hope people will come along on the day to show their support.”

Group Captain Baker added: “What an honour it is for RAF Cosford to receive the Freedom of the Borough of Dudley during the RAF’s centenary year.

“A Dudley man myself, I joined the RAF in 1989 and began my engineering career at Cosford. To be in a position almost 30 years later to forge even closer links between my hometown and the station where my RAF career began is a source of immense personal pride.

“I know that the men and women of RAF Cosford also take great pride in the strong relationship between the station and the heart of the Black Country. We relish the opportunity to celebrate that relationship on September 16.”