Conservative Controlled Council Grants Freedom of Tamworth to Local Service Associations

This week (Tuesday) Tamworth Conservative Councillors proposed a motion that awarded Tamworth’s Service Associations Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth.

On behalf of the Conservative group their Deputy Leader, Cllr Robert Pritchard, moved a motion that stated – “In pursuance of the provisions of Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the council permit The Royal British Legion, Royal Naval Association, Mercian Regimental Association and Royal Air Force Association in Tamworth to hold Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth.”

The motion is in recognition of all the hard work service associations do for their members. Not only do service associations support their members when they are in difficult circumstances, they also provide activities and social events that keep ex-service men and women in touch with each other.

The vote means that all local branches of the Royal British Legion, Royal Naval Association, Mercian Regimental Association and Royal Air Force Association have freedom of Tamworth.

The motion which attracted cross party support will also allow the service organisations to march through Tamworth with their banners and standards flying.

This meeting followed a vote that awarded Staffordshire Regimental Mascot Cpl Watchman V freedom of Tamworth. The award of Freedom to our regimental mascot has attracted attention of other Staffordshire councils, with Burntwood already following Tamworth’s example. Several others have expressed a desire to do the same and public campaigns have been launched in Stafford and Burton to get councils there to bestow the same honour as Tamworth.

Cllr Robert Pritchard said, “Tamworth is so proud of its service organisations and our armed forces. They are a very important part of many ex-servicemen’s lives and do so much to support their colleagues.  We have very strong links to our armed forces and we are often setting an example other towns can follow; again we are showing the way forward in Staffordshire.

“We hope to have a day when all organisations with Freedom of the Borough parade through the town centre together. This will allow the public to celebrate our important military links and say thank you.”