 At a special meeting of the Council on 16th June 2010, Town Councillors unanimously granted the first title of Honorary Freeman of Ringwood to Cllr Neville James Chard ISM.
This title was granted under new powers which have recently been made available to local councils.
The title was awarded in recognition of Cllr Chard’s long and outstanding service to the people of the Town, which has continued, uninterrupted since 1948.
Cllr Chard had served the community on New Forest District Council for fifteen years, as a Town Councillor for forty years and as Secretary of the Bisterne Football Club for fifty-three years.
On being granted the title, Cllr Chard said:
“It is a great honour for me to be the first person to accept the privilege of being awarded the title of ‘Honorary Freeman’ of Ringwood”.
He thanked his partner Jenny, his son, family and friends for their immeasurable support.
He also said he was very moved that members of both Bisterne Football Club and Ringwood Town Football Club had attended the ceremony.
Full transcripts of the award nomination speeches by Cllr Heron and Cllr Ford and the acceptance by Cllr Chard are attached. |
