By GEMMA BROWN gemma.brown@hexham-courant.co.uk

Last updated at 20:34, Friday, 05 March 2010

AN ARMY captain from Prudhoe was one of 250 soldiers who celebrated St David’s Day this week by taking to the parade square and bringing a little bit of Wales to Tynedale.

Maintaining traditions: Capt. Peter Ackroyd, from 39 Regiment Royal Artillery, has a silk leek pinned to his chest by Commanding Officer of the Welsh Gunners, Lt Col Andrew Reynolds.

Capt. Peter Ackroyd from 39 Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Harlow Hill’s Albemarle Barracks, was just one of the Welsh Gunners who endured the freezing temperatures to take part in the patriotic day.

The regiment, which was officially renamed the Welsh Gunners in September 2006, started its annual celebrations with an early morning parade and march on Monday.

A hearty breakfast followed to set the soldiers up for an extremely competitive afternoon of sports and activities including rugby, paintballing and football.

Commanding Officer of the Welsh Gunners, Lt Col Andrew Reynolds, pinned a silk leek to each soldier’s jacket following the parade.

He said it was important for the regiment to maintain its Welsh traditions.

“St David’s Day provides us the perfect opportunity to celebrate our great Welsh heritage since being renamed the Welsh Gunners in September 2006,” he said.

“Our Welsh links are very important to us – the number of Welsh soldiers in the regiment is growing as our links with the recruitment area in Wales become more established.

“We are looking forward to maintaining our heritage more forcefully over the coming years as our traditions mature.”

First published at 09:46, Friday, 05 March 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk