Freemanship awards for service to Rothbury

Freemanship awards were presented for the first time in Rothbury last week, with four people recognised for their services to the village.
From left, Peter Dawson, Averil Fendley, Rothbury Parish Council chairman Caroline Dawson, Lord Beith and Helen Edes.From left, Peter Dawson, Averil Fendley, Rothbury Parish Council chairman Caroline Dawson, Lord Beith and Helen Edes.
From left, Peter Dawson, Averil Fendley, Rothbury Parish Council chairman Caroline Dawson, Lord Beith and Helen Edes.

Prior to last Wednesday’s Rothbury Parish Council meeting, a crowd of villagers turned out to watch the presentation as Alan Fendley, Helen Edes, Peter Dawson and Lord Beith were honoured.

The citations, as read out on the night by parish council chairman, Caroline Dawson, were as follows:

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Alan Fendley (1938-2016) – Alan’s untimely death has been particularly sad for us.

He used all of his talents in the service of the local community in Rothbury for many years and is commended by Rothbury Parish Council as a Freeman of Rothbury.

This commendation is being accepted by his wife Averil on behalf of the family.

Helen Edes – Helen is a lady of great compassion who has always been willing to do the hard work to get the job done.

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She is a great supporter of and inspiration to the whole community.

She is commended by Rothbury Parish Council as a Freewoman of Rothbury.

Peter Dawson – Born in Rothbury and following the footsteps of David Dippie Dixon as a learned and enthusiastic local historian, Peter has had a major influence on all of the developments in the village for well over 30 years.

Peter is commended as a worthy Freeman of Rothbury.

Alan Beith – Alan was known throughout the area as a very hard-working MP with a passionate interest in local issues and local people.

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Rothbury Parish Council is pleased to recognise his significant contribution to Rothbury over many years and has conferred on him the honour of Freeman of Rothbury.

In the absence of any historic rights and privileges, Rothbury Parish Council and Rothbury Traditional Music Festival Committee presented the recipients of Freemanship awards with a ‘golden ticket’, which gives the right to a free front-row seat at the main concert of the music festival, held in July each year.

With the exception of Lord Beith, the other three Freemen were also long-serving parish councillors alongside their other efforts and between them they served for a total of 79 years.