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On Thursday 5 February, Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines received the honorary Freedom of the City of Preston. The ceremony was held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, Preston. The Right Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Nick Pomfret introduced the proceedings, welcoming Lady Grenfell-Baines along with her family and attending civil dignitaries to the ceremony. Councillor John Browne proposed the motion to grant the Freedom of the City to Lady Grenfell-Baines which was seconded by Councillor Eric Fazackerley. Councillor Pauline Brown spoke a few words in support of the motion. Councillor John Browne spoke of the great charity work of Lady Grenfell-Baines and of her early life and the struggle in her childhood in being sent to the United Kingdom from her native Czechoslovakia prior to the Second World War.
Following the passing of the Rosolution, Lady Grenfell-Baines signed the Freeman’s Roll and the Mayor presented her with a Scroll upon which has an engrossed sealed copy of the Resolution. Lady Grenfell-Baines then responded by invitation of the Mayor and expressed her gratitude to the people of Preston for the Freedom of the City privilege bestowed upon her.
This conferment brings the total number to twenty-five of people who have been granted the honorary Freedom of he City of Preston since 1902.
Following the formalities, Lady Grenfell-Baines with her family and friends, The Mayor, Councillors and honoured guests were invited to the Harris Museum and Art Gallery to partake in a celebratory lunch.
The Freedom of the City of Preston:
It is within the gift of this council to confer upon an individual, or an organisation, the Honorary Freedom of the City of Preston, in recognition of outstanding contributions, achievements and accomplishments by sons and daughters of this ancient town.
The Freedom Scroll:
Each recipient of the Honorary Freedom of the City receives a Freedom Scroll upon which is engrossed a sealed copy of the Council Resolution admitting him/her to the Roll of Honorary Freemen/Freewomen. The scroll is also personalised with symbols appropriate to the recipient.
The Freemen’s Roll:
The Freedom Roll, which is retained in the Archives of the Council, will be signed by the new Honorary Freeman. The Roll contains the names of only twenty-four persons who have received the honour since its introduction under the Honorary Freedom of the Borough Act 1885.
Photography Paul Swarbrick and Gill Lawson
What do you think of the honour bestowed upon Lady Grenfell-Baines? Let us know in the comments below.