Freedom of the Borough for inspirational people

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Mayor and Joan who will receive freedom of the borough

Three inspiring people will receive the Freedom of the Borough for their outstanding achievements and charitable work as we mark fifty years of Kirklees.

At an Extraordinary Council Meeting, councillors formally approved Honorary Freeman status for:

  • Volunteer and fundraiser Mrs Joan Gorton
  • National Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage CBE
  • Actor, Sir Patrick Stewart OBE

Leader of Kirklees Council, Councillor Cathy Scott, said:

“Mrs Gorton is the inspirational co-founder of local charity Epilepsy Action Huddersfield, that she committed to running along with her late husband. She has worked tirelessly for more than 50 years, raising money for the charity, and campaigning for better resources and healthcare for those with epilepsy, and their families.

“The achievements of Simon Armitage CBE and Sir Patrick Stewart OBE are well documented and celebrated, nationally and internationally, with both talking proudly of their Yorkshire roots.

“I am delighted that we have agreed to award them Honorary Freeman status of our borough.”

Freedom of the Borough

The title of Honorary Freeman is the highest honour a council of a city or borough can award , and is not given very often.

Government guidance says that this honour should only be awarded to those who have rendered eminent services to the city, borough or royal borough’ as honorary Freeman.

The Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Cahal Burke, said:

“The granting of the Freedom of the Borough only happens on rare occasions and it honours figures who have made a significant contribution to life in their communities or achieved something outstanding.

“These individuals have done just that, and I am proud that we can bestow the highest civic honour on them.”

Only two other people have received the Freedom of the Borough in Kirklees. They are:

  • Former Huddersfield East MP, Sir William (Bill) Mallalieu, who was honoured in January 1980.
  • Dewsbury-born, first woman Speaker of the House of Commons, Baroness Betty Boothroyd in November 1992.

The following groups have also received the award:

  • The 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Volunteers (March 1979)
  • The 122,000 citizens of the French town of Besançon, to mark 50 years of twinning with Huddersfield in October 2005.
  • The Yorkshire Regiment in September 2006
  • The Rifles Regiment in July 2011.

 The Mayor of Kirklees will honour the recipients at a reception at a later date (TBC).