Honorary Freeman/Freewoman

Since 2003, Town Councillors Annually nominate people who they feel have served the town in some special way, to be considered to receive the Honorary Freeman/Freewoman Award. The elected recipient/s are awarded a certificate and their name is placed on the honours board located at Ellesmere Town Hall. Originally this was called the Honorary Townspersons Scheme but in 2010 the name was changed to Honorary Freeman/Freewoman.

2021 Honorary Freeman / Freewoman

Both have dedicated years to the benefit of this community.

Ann Hartley

Ann Hartley has received this award in recognition of her many years of dedication to the town as both a Unitary and Town Councillor, and to recognise and reward her commitment to the St Mary’s Church.  The council felt that Ann is an inspiration to many following her years of dedicated service to the town.

 

John Frost

John Frost has received this award in recognition of his many years serving on the Town Council, the fantastic work that he has carried out at Ellesmere Cemetery and for his dedication in running the Ellesmere in Bloom Committee. Councillors agreed that it has been a pleasure working with John, a well-respected loyal hardworking Councillor that will be a hard act to follow.  John has lived in Ellesmere for 21 years and served on the Town Council for 18 of those years, he is also an Honorary Freeman of the City of Coventry where he lived previously.

 


2020 Honorary Free woman

Both have dedicated years volunteering for the benefit of this community.

Barbara McBride

The Mayor of Ellesmere Cllr Paul Goulbourne and members of the Town Council welcomed you to receive this award in recognition of your support for local community groups over many years, including both the Age UK and Swan Mere day centres at the Town Hall, and the Our Space community centre.

Joan Tudor – Watson

This year, The Mayor of Ellesmere Cllr Paul Goulbourne and members of the Town Council welcomed you to receive the award in recognition of your support for local community groups, in particular for organising and running the weekly Age UK day centre at the Town Hall.

 

 

 


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

Honorary Freeman Terry Davies
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.


Honorary Freeman Alan Clarke
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.


 

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