This year’s Annual Freedom of Helston Parade could be moved to September at the request of RNAS Culdrose.

Normally the parade, which sees the navy base exercise its right to parade through Helston with “swords drawn, bayonets fixed, bands playing and colours flying” since 1958, takes place in June.

However, Culdrose’s executive officer Commander Ian Fitter appealed to the town council last week to allow the ceremony to take place later this year, due to the number of commitments the different squadrons have.

He suggested the third week of September would be more suitable, as it would allow personnel to return from the various postings they have this year.

Councillors were supportive of the proposal, with councillor Dave Potter saying: “As an ex-serviceman I understand the pressures that Culdrose personnel are under.

“It’s excellent to have it on an annual basis and maintain that. I think flexibilities are needed from both parties.

“I would absolutely support having a flexible date.”

Mayor Mike Thomas said that if the parade was moved to September then it should not be earlier than the third week, to give the town’s schools time to arrange bringing parties of pupils into the town after returning from the summer holiday.

Councillor John Martin suggested that in future years it could be scaled down, to not involve the whole base.

But Commander Fitter said that, while there were merits to that idea, Culdrose would not want to see it become “anything less than it deserves.”

“We want it to be recorded with dignity and the pomp and circumstance that it deserves,” he explained – and that meant having people to carry the colours, bayonets and music from the HMS Seahawk Band.

Last year Commander Fitter asked, on behalf of Captain Adrian Orchard, whether the event could become biennial, taking place every two years.

However, councillors were unhappy at this idea, seeing it as an important link with the base, and it was agreed the parade should continue annually.

Commander Fitter confirmed last week: “The captain absolutely stands by his commitment to hold it annually.”