Watchman Vote to Hold Freedom of the Borough Tomorrow

Proposals to present Watchman with the Freedom of the Borough are set to be discussed at a Full Council meeting tomorrow, Tuesday July 23, at 6pm.

Deputy Leader of the Council and Conservative Party councillor for Spital ward, Robert Pritchard, will be proposing a motion to admit LCpl Watchman V, former mascot of the Staffordshire regiment, to hold Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth, which would then pass to successive Watchman.

Councillors vote on the motion at the public meeting in the Council Chamber, Marmion House.  The honour would also allow the popular Staffordshire bull terrier mascot to march through Tamworth with the Mercian Regiment, whenever it returns to the borough.

This proposal is to recognise the 130 years this role has been representing the fighting men and women of Tamworth and Staffordshire.

Watchman is the traditional mascot of Staffordshire regiments and continues to carry out numerous duties.  He was also part of the flag party of the Mercian Regiment that met the Olympic Torch in the Castle Grounds last summer.

If agreed, Watchman would join the Mercian Regiment, The Defence Medical Services and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Fort Rosalie (A385) who also hold Freedom of the Borough.

The motion, which Cllr Pritchard will propose, is as follows, “In pursuance of the provisions of Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the council permit the holders of the position of Watchman’s handler, Watchman and their successors to hold Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth, in recognition of the roles historic service representing the fighting men and women of Tamworth and Staffordshire.”

The Mayor of Tamworth, Cllr John Garner said, “At tomorrow’s meeting we will discuss the proposals to award the mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment, LCpl Watchman V, Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth.  The mascot has served Tamworth and Staffordshire for 130 years and is a tradition treasured by soldiers of the Staffordshire Regiment, now 3 Mercian.”

Members of the public are invited to come along to the meeting.