Freedom of the Borough Parade

Jon Vanns , Lt Commander of Sea Cadets, is also our Allotment Manager. We are very proud to share that he will be leading their Freedom of Tunbridge Wells Parade.

The Tunbridge Wells Sea Cadets (TS Brilliant) are celebrating their 90th anniversary in 2025 and earlier in the year they were awarded the Freedom of the Borough by the Council.

On Sunday 12 October from 10.30am the cadets will have the honour formally presented to them by the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells David Osborne and they will exercise their freedom by marching in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

At this commemorative event TS Brilliant will host West Kent District Sea Cadets. Around 250 sea cadets, junior sea cadets and Royal Marines cadets will take part in a ceremonial parade to mark two significant anniversaries – Tunbridge Wells’s 90th and the 220th anniversary of The Battle of Trafalgar.

Veteran Standard Bearers and a detachment of former TS Brilliant

Mayor, David Osborne said:
‘The Sea Cadets have been part of the fabric of our Royal town for 90 years, enabling generations of youngsters to fulfil their potential whilst supporting important civic events. That's why I have made them my charity for the year .
‘The Freedom is thoroughly deserved, and I urge everyone to come along and help to make this historic parade a very special day.’

Guests expected to be in attendance alongside the Mayor include the National President of The Royal Naval Association, VAdm Duncan Potts CB and Mrs Georgie Warner Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

Show your support
All are warmly invited to come along to Mount Pleasant Road (near the War Memorial) to watch the parade, whoop and cheer and show their support for the cadets!

Freedom of the Borough
The Honorary Freedom of the Borough is the highest award the Council can give to an individual or corporate body. The award is not often made and is normally only conferred on local people who have made a significant contribution to the locality or have achieved something outstanding.