Council Extends a Welcoming Hand to the 2 RIFLES

The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Thomas Beckett was honoured to host a reception earlier this week to officially welcome the 2nd Battalion The RIFLES, known as the 2 RIFLES, to the City of Lisburn.

 

Those attending included Lord Lieutenant of Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie, Lt Col Neil Bellamy, (Commanding Officer 2 Rifles), Brigadier Andrew Roe, (Commander 38 Irish Brigade), Elected Representatives and Freemen of the City.

 

The Mayor extended a very special welcome to the Officers and Soldiers of 2 RIFLES and was delighted to see so many different ranks in attendance. Speaking at the reception, he said: “Tonight, we come together to extend a warm welcome to the largest infantry regiment within the British Army, the 2 RIFLES. The Battalion moved to Northern Ireland in July 2007, and was initially based in Ballykinler, before finding a new home at Thiepval Barracks.

 

“Since the Battalion moved to Lisburn, they have continued to be deployed on operations and exercises throughout the toughest terrains in the world, including Afghanistan, Turkey, Sudan, Malawi, Gabon, Singapore, Kenya, Falkland Islands, Australia, Cyprus, Belize, Somalia, Jordan and Oman. We cannot begin to imagine the pressurised and difficult situations that must be faced, risking their lives on a daily basis, in unfamiliar and intimidating territory. We applaud the bravery and dedication of each and every officer and soldier. We also pay our deepest respects to the families and loved ones left behind, who continue with their day to day duties of daily life waiting for their safe return home,” concluded Councillor Beckett.

 

The Mayor also had the pleasure in welcoming the talented Band and Bugles of the RIFLES. The band, which formed from The Band and Bugles of The Light Division in 2007, dates back over 200 years, and includes the use of the silver bugle and displays an impressive fast marching speed of 140 paces per minute. The Mayor said: “I was fascinated to learn that the bugles were used instead of drums to communicate orders on the battlefield and as far back as the Napoleonic Wars.”

 

To formally recognise the new home of 2 RIFLES, the Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett, made a presentation to Lt Col Neil Bellamy (Commanding Officer 2 RIFLES). He said: “On behalf of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and its residents, I would like to say how proud we are to have the 2 RIFLES reside in the City and I hope we can continue to build a positive relationship throughout the Community.

 

Pictured (l-r) are Alderman James Tinsley; Lt Col Neil Bellamy (Commanding Officer 2 Rifles); Dr Theresa Donaldson (Chief Executive, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council); The Mayor Cllr Thomas Beckett; Lord Lieutenant Joan Christie; Mayoress Linda Beckett and Brigadier Andrew Roe (Commander 38 Irish Brigade).

 

Pictured (front l-r) are Alderman James Tinsley; Lord Lieutenant Joan Christie; The Mayor Cllr Thomas Beckett; Mayoress Linda Beckett and Dr Theresa Donaldson (Chief Executive, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council). 
Back left to right: Jack Adair (Mace Bearer), Lt Col Neil Bellamy (Commanding Officer 2 Rifles); Pastor Jimmy Ritchie (Mayor’s Chaplin); Vanessa Ritchie; Brigadier Andrew Roe (Commander 38 Irish Brigade) and Mr Barry Donaldson.