Since the formation of the Council in 1974, no individual has ever been granted the highest civic honours that can be bestowed by a local council. As part of the Conservative programme to restore Civic Pride in our Borough, the new Conservative Council has restored these honours and recognised local champions and ambassadors of our community.
Well know charity fundraisers and community activists have been awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth:
- Jean Whittaker MBE - she has raised over £1 million for George Eliot Hospital to provide new equipment for the care and treatment of patients, spending 39 years as the fundraising co-ordinator
- Om Gurung MBE - a former Gurkha sergeant major who has championed our local Nepalese community, chairman of the British Gurkha Veterans Association and overseen the creation of the Gurkha Memorial in Riversley Park. He has supported successive Mayor's Appeals and is a dedicated fundraiser for the Royal British Legion.
Long serving councillors who have served as teachers, fundraised for charities, represented local residents at the George Eliot Hospital and longstanding magistrates are amongst those who have been awarded the Honorary Alderman/woman position:
- David Carr - Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator and patients representative at George Eliot Hospital
- Donald Jacques BEM - former Mayor, teacher, shop owner, Royal British Legion and Remembrance Sunday stalwart
- Gerald Smith - former Mayor and active in the community for decades
- Alan Farnell - former Leader of Warwickshire County Council, volunteer at Veterans Contact Point and shop owner
- Diana Hawkes - former Mayor, Mayoress and Justice of the Peace
Work is also underway for a formal honours system where residents of Nuneaton and Bedworth can be nominated for their contributions to the communities across our Borough.
Cllr Kris Wilson, Leader of the Council, said:
“We wish to restore civic pride in the borough. Those who have made a contribution to our community should be rewarded for their efforts, and this is the start of our efforts to reward people who have served Nuneaton and Bedworth with distinction.
“It is not just about the Aldermen and Freemen of the Borough. We are also working on a permanent solution to rewarding those of our community who make a difference. A policy is being worked up for a permanent community award system, called the Nuneaton and Bedworth Award of Merit.”
