Last year I was delighted to receive a letter signed by the three M.P.s who represent parts of my borough in which I was congratulated on 36 years as Town Crier to the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth. Little did I know that more good things were in store for me. I did get a (too subtle) hint from the Mayor when I met him at a Remembrance event held at a local high school on 10th November last year.
Imagine my sheer joy when I received an invitation to a civic awards ceremony, when I would be proposed to become a Freeman of the Borough. This took place in the Council Chamber on 29th January this year. It was a somewhat bittersweet event for me as I would have invited my “partner in crying”, Carole Williams, to be there to witness it. However, that was not to be since she passed away on 5th January. So it was wonderful that my three sons all made lengthy journeys to be with me on such a proud occasion.
I was one of only the second cohort of individuals to receive this civic award since the Borough came into existence. The Mayor was unfortunately ill so the Deputy Mayor and Chief Executive gave me my huge framed certificate after my name had been proposed, seconded and (fortunately) unanimously approved by the Council.
More joy followed when I was invited to a further ceremony in the Mayor’s parlour in the Town Hall on 21st March. I received my Freeman of the Borough badge from the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Martin Walsh and Mrs. Sandra Walsh. I proudly wore the badge for the first time at the Heart of England Championship in Alcester on Easter Saturday.
