HMS Talent Returns Freedom Rights to Shrewsbury

His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner, took the salute as HMS Talent returned the Freedom Rights to Shrewsbury.

The parade, which commenced at the Castle and marched through the town saw the end of a long-standing affiliation between Shrewsbury and HMS Talent which commenced in 1989, with the Freedom of the Town being granted in 2002.   

HMS Talent returned the Freedom of the Town, which had been a gift given 20 years ago by the people and Mayor of Shrewsbury, and has been proudly held ever since, displayed inside the submarine next to the Officers’ mess.

HMS Talent, a nuclear-powered submarine capable of being submerged for several months, was launched on April 15, 1988, by HRH The Princess Royal. Fitted with sophisticated sonar equipment and computers, the Fleet submarine’s task was to locate and destroy enemy surface ships and submarines whilst remaining undetected. Its armament consisted of sea-skimming anti-ship missiles and wire guided homing torpedoes which carried their one miniature sonar.

Following the parade, the crew visited Hope House, their chosen affiliated charity throughout their association with Shrewsbury.