2018 Honorary Freemen

The Mayor of Ellesmere, Cllr Ryan Hartley, welcomed Mr Barry Lewis as an Honorary Freeman of Ellesmere at the recent Annual Town Meeting. The award was presented to Mr Lewis in recognition of his 24 years’ service as a gardener in the town, always going above and beyond his remit.
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2017 Honorary Freemen

Mr John Davies
John Davies started running Lakeside Minicoaches in 1979 and through much hard work has seen the company grow into a well respected regional business operating nearly 40 vehicles and employing over 50 staff. Lakeside Coaches, now based on the Ellesmere Business Park, was awarded the Route One UK Medium Sized Coach Operator of the Year in October 2016. The company provides vital bus services to the local community as well as home-to-school transport for many local pupils and students. John is a well known and respected figure in the community, and has and continues to support and sponsor many local charities, events and sports teams.
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Mr Brendan Wignall
Brendan Wignall has been Headmaster of Ellesmere College since 1996. Under his leadership and guidance the College has gone from strength to strength – it is one of the top sports schools in the UK and has developed a number of major new facilities over the last 20 years. There is a community use element to many of these facilities, and it is thanks to the College that the Ellesmere town swimming pool has been able to remain open. Links with the local community are also fostered through College students volunteering to help local organisations. Brendan was a member of the Tourism Committee and also involved in the campaign over the town road lay-out. He has been a supporter of a number of local charities, and a supporter of Friends of Ellesmere Library.
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2016 Honorary Freemen

Mr Terry Davies
Mr Terry Davies has been a bell ringer for 60 years at St Mary’s Church and Bell Tower Captain for the last 40 years. Mr Davies has faithfully carried out his responsibilities and kept the bells ringing every Friday evening for practice, for Sunday Services and other special occasions. He has been responsible for training and encouraging new bell ringers over the years and kept together an active team who really enjoy their bell ringing. As well as leading the bell ringing (with his wife) each week he also figure headed the restoration of the Church bells two years ago, working with others to secure a grant of £40,000 from Heritage Lottery and raising another £40,000 match funding.

Mr Alan Clarke
Mr Alan Clarke served as a Councillor with Ellesmere Town Council for 22 years during 6 of these years he served as Mayor, he was an active and committed Councillor for the community, for which he cares so much. Mr Clarke was a founder member of “All together Ellesmere”, the Community Interest Company formed to save and manage the Market Hall and today he continues to serve as on of its Directors.