Honorary Freeman Tradition Revived In Dover

The ancient tradition of making Honorary Freemen has been revived in Dover. It follows a campaign by the town council over several decades.

On Thursday 18 November, former Mayor Bob Tant, retired university lecturer Jack Woolford and former magistrate and local businessmen John Turnpenny were sworn in as Honorary Freemen, the first to be admitted for more than 40 years.

Dover Mayor Cllr Sue Jones congratulated the trio and presented them with a sash, framed certificate and a boxed scroll. The three men signed a register which had not been used since former Town Clerk and Coroner, the late James A Johnson became a Freeman in 1968.

They also took an oath in which they declared their honour for the Queen and their intention to all in their power to serve the best interests of the people of Dover.

The citations told how Mr Tant had worked tirelessly for the Royal British Legion, Municipal Charities and St Edmund of Abingdon Trust and had a great sense of community spirit and integrity, Mr Woolford had been at the forefront of some major achievements in the town, and Mr Turnpenny had shown a long-standing commitment to many societies and local interest groups.