From Holland to Ponty: 400 mile cycle to remember British soldiers who lost their lives

Credit: ITV Wales

City employees from s'Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands cycled more than 400 miles to Pontypridd to mark the 75th anniversary of Welsh soldiers liberating the Dutch city. It was occupied by the Germans for more than four years, until 1944.

146 British soldiers lost their lives in the battle of s'Hertogenbosch.

In 1995, the Pontypridd branch of The Royal Welsh Regimental Association established a link with the Dutch city, which is also known as Den Bosch.

This weekend the Royal Welsh Regimental Association, veterans and the Mayor of Pontypridd, welcomed the Mayor of s'Hertogenbosch and city officials for a memorial service at the s'Hertogenbosch Stone in the Common in Pontypridd.

Veteran Keith Barclay came to greet the Dutch cyclists. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales
Suzanne Bruijstens said the 5-day cycle was very challenging. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales
The group laid a wreath to remember soldiers who lost their lives. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

The ceremony involved the handing over of a lamp containing a symbolic 'Flame of Freedom'. The cyclists will take this back to the Netherlands, where it will burn in the city's cathedral until the major commemorations in October.