Colchester is to hold its third ever Royal Salute this year to commemorate The Queen’s Official Birthday In 2006 Colchester was granted the prestigious honour of being chosen as one of the country’s ten Royal Saluting Stations – the only station in East Anglia. This honour allows artillery based in the town to fire a 21-gun salute to mark official occasions such as The Queen’s Birthday and Coronation Day.

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This year the event has been moved to Colchester’s Castle Park. So, on Saturday, 13 June 2009 a battery of six guns will fire a 21-gun salute at 12 noon from Lower Castle Park
The battery will be from 7 Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, based in the town’s new £560m Merville Barracks. The guns used will be 105 mm light guns, used by the unit on operations including Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2006 and 2008. Last year there was no Royal Salute in Colchester as 7 Para RHA were on operations in Afghanistan in June.

Several dignitaries were present including Lord Petre, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, as the Queen’s representative in the county, who will be the Inspecting Officer, and the Mayor of Colchester.

The Band of The Queen’s Division will also perform.

Brigadier James Chiswell, Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison, said: “It is a great privilege and honour for 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison to be a Royal Saluting Station. It is our intention to fire the third Royal Salute on 13 June 2009, using the guns of 7 Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (7 Para RHA). This will be a very special day for Colchester town, the Garrison and 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Deputy Garrison Commander Colonel Tony Phillips said: “This is the third Royal Salute to be held in Colchester, but the first time it has been held in the town centre, and we are delighted about this as it will allow the Civic, Town and Military communities to fully share executing and enjoying this honour and high profile occasion. It is a great honour for Colchester Garrison and Colchester Town and we are sure the Queen’s Official Birthday Royal Salute will prove a memorable day for the Brigade, Garrison and the local community of Colchester.”

The Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Henry Spyvee, said: “I am delighted that this year both residents and visitors to Colchester can celebrate the Queen’s Birthday and Coronation Day together in Castle Park. The Royal Salute will pay a fitting tribute to Her Majesty, and will be an equally impressive spectacle for those watching.”