Latest news with #HMSDragon
ITV News
13-06-2025
- General
- ITV News
Find out why sailors have been taking to the streets of Wrexham in celebration
The HMS Dragon is based in Portsmouth but today, hundred of its sailors marched through Wrexham, to celebrate it being awarded the 'Freedom of the City.'
Leader Live
13-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
WATCH: HMS Dragon crew members parade through Wrexham
The crew of the Type 45 destroyer marched through the heart of the city centre before being hosted at an official reception to cement the bond. The ship was adopted by Wrexham last summer and civic leaders promptly bestowed their highest honour upon the Portsmouth-based warship and her ship's company. (Image: Newsquest) Their hectic schedule – which included a milestone first takedown of a supersonic missile by the Royal Navy during NATO exercises off the coast of northwest Scotland in May – has prevented the ship's company from exercising their right until now, although some sailors were able to take part in Wrexham's Remembrance events. Since then, when Dragon's demanding programme has allowed, the 200-strong ship's company had been preparing for the hometown visit, including undertaking specific drill training to reach the highest standards required for the march. 'Today is a proud moment for HMS Dragon and a fitting opportunity to demonstrate the professionalism of our sailors, marching in full ceremonial dress, with drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed, as a mark of respect and gratitude to the people of Wrexham." (Image: Newsquest) Gresford councillor Jeremy Kent said: "Today, we were incredibly proud to welcome 156 members of HMS Dragon's ship's company to Wrexham as they exercised their Freedom of the City and County Borough — an honour that reflects the deep and lasting bond between the Royal Navy and our community. "With bayonets fixed, drums beating, and colours flying, the parade through our city centre was a stirring sight and a powerful reminder of the dedication and service of our armed forces. (Image: Newsquest) MORE NEWS: "As a member of Wrexham County Borough Council, I was honoured to stand alongside residents, veterans, and fellow councillors to show our gratitude and respect." He added: "Thank you to HMS Dragon for your service — and for bringing such pride to Wrexham today." In being named Freemen of Wrexham, the sailors are in select company, including Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Leader Live
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Road closures confirmed for HMS Dragon parade
Watched by local dignitaries – and hopefully many local residents – the crew of the Type 45 destroyer will march through the heart of the city centre before being hosted at an official reception to cement the bond. Ahead of the parade the ranks will be inspected by Wrexham's Mayor Councillor Tina Mannering, who will also take the salute of the marching sailors at Queens Square alongside Commanding Officer Commander Iain Giffin. Commander Iain Giffin said: 'There is no greater honour that a city can bestow than the Freedom of the City and I humbled that Wrexham has extended this privilege to HMS Dragon. HMS Dragon Ship (Image: Wrexham Council) 'Today is a proud moment for HMS Dragon and a fitting opportunity to demonstrate the professionalism of our sailors, marching in full ceremonial dress, with drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed, as a mark of respect and gratitude to the people of Wrexham.' Cllr Mannering, said: 'It will be a tremendous honour to take the salute of the sailors as they march through the city, and I hope as many people as possible will turn out to support the parade. 'This will be a fantastic occasion, as we celebrate our wonderful partnership with HMS Dragon.' Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones, added: 'Wrexham has always been proud of its links with the armed services and it will be wonderful to welcome the crew to the county borough, so they can celebrate the Freedom of the City. 'HMS Dragon is the first ship affiliated with Wrexham since the Second World War, and we are tremendously proud of this very special relationship.' The sailors will march onto Llwyn Isaf green (outside the Guildhall) at 10.40am, before marching through the city centre. In being named Freemen of Wrexham, the sailors are in select company including Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. There will be some temporary road closures and access restrictions in place from 10.55am on the day (Friday June 13), including… Chester Street closure There will be a full road closure on Chester Street until 11.15am. During this time, there will be no vehicle access to the following locations via Chester Street: Guildhall Waterworld Memorial Hall Wellbeing Hub Crown Buildings Library Courts Additionally, no vehicles will be able to exit the Guildhall or Library car parks during this period. The remainder of the parade route will be managed via rolling road closures, meaning traffic will be temporarily stopped as the parade passes. This disruption should last approximately 10 to 15 minutes per location. MOST READ During this time, there will be no vehicle access through the city centre bollards – this includes taxis, church access and other usual exceptions. The ship was adopted by Wrexham last summer and civic leaders promptly bestowed their highest honour upon the Portsmouth-based warship and her ship's company. Their hectic schedule – which included a milestone first takedown of a supersonic missile by the Royal Navy during NATO exercises off the coast of northwest Scotland in May – has prevented the ship's company from exercising their right until now. Since then, when Dragon's demanding programme has allowed, the 200-strong ship's company have been preparing for the hometown visit, including undertaking specific drill training to reach the highest standards required for the march.
Leader Live
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
HMS Dragon sailors set to come to Wrexham this week
Friday (June 13), will see crew members of the Royal Navy vessell celebrate their Freedom of the City for the first time, after they were granted the honour last December. In doing so, HMS Dragon joined Wrexham Football Club, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Royal Welsh (formerly the Royal Welch Fusiliers), North Wales Police double Olympic gold medal-winning rower Tom James and former Prime Minister David Lloyd George among those honoured with the Freedom of the County Borough. The sailors will arrive onto Llwyn Isaf green (outside the Guildhall) at 10.40am, before marching through the city centre. The ship is the first since the Second World War to be affiliated with Wrexham, and the partnership was sealed at a ceremony in Portsmouth back in April 2024. TOP STORIES TODAY The ship is one of the Royal Navy's advanced Type 45 air defence destroyers, and is instantly recognisable with her roaring Welsh Dragons emblazoned across her bows. North Wales Police have warned that there will likely be 'disruption' to parking in the city centre during the event on Friday. There will be a small number of road closures for a short period as a result, and access into and out of the Library and Waterworld car parks will be limited. Further details including timings and locations will be published later this week.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Putin spy ship is caught lurking near the Outer Hebrides during live drill on how to shoot down a Russian-style missile
A Russian warship has been caught spying on Britain's missile defences by the Royal Navy. Yuri Ivanov, one of Putin 's so-called research ships, was spotted lurking in waters off the Outer Hebrides during a live drill on how to shoot down a Russian-style missile. It is believed it was trying to watch the NATO exercise known as Formidable Shield, which involved the firing of a £1million Sea Viper missile at a target. The test, which involved HMS Dragon, one of the Navy's most powerful ships, was designed to simulate Moscow 's formidable hypersonic weapons. The Sea Viper obliterated the incoming missile - with the Navy hailing the live drill as a 'huge moment'. HMS Dragon, a Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer, then hunted down the Russian spy ship. It sent its Merlin helicopter up to collect information from above, until the Yuri Ivanov headed north back towards its home in the Arctic. Meanwhile on May 18, two other Navy ships - HMS Ledbury, HMS Hurworth - were sent out to monitor a Russian warship as it sailed through the Channel. Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw, commanding officer of HMS Hurworth, said: 'Monitoring activity on the seas and seabed around the UK is one of the core roles of the Royal Navy's 2nd Mine-Countermeasures Squadron. 'This operation was all in a day's work for the ship's company who have shown great professionalism. 'We have kept a constant watch to ensure the security and integrity of the UK's critical sea-lanes.' Lieutenant Commander Craig Clark, commanding officer of HMS Ledbury, said: 'Escorting Russian vessels through UK waters is a vital demonstration of our unwavering commitment to national security. 'Whilst the Hunt-class is uniquely equipped for mine and sea-bed warfare, maritime security remains a crucial task that any Royal Navy warship is trained to undertake.' Wayne Slater, from HMS Hurworth, said: 'Driving the ship close to the Russian vessels has been a new experience for me as a helmsman. 'Everything has been safe and professional but we're all trained to make sure we can respond to any aggression or incident whenever non-allied warships are operating near UK waters.' Lieutenant Patrick Bingham, gunnery officer from HMS Hurworth, added: 'As a former merchant navy officer, I know how important freedom of the seas is to the lifeline of goods and raw materials upon which our economy depends. 'The Royal Navy has been a guardian of the freedom of the seas for centuries and I am privileged to have contributed to this mission.'
