The Freedom of the Borough was conferred upon the Officers and Men of the Intelligence Corps at a ceremony in Ashford High Street on Wednesday 16 May 1979. In July 1990 the Corps exercised its right to the Freedom of the Borough by marching through the town with bayonets fixed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their re-formation. On Saturday 5 April 1986 Herr Ferdinand Lethert, MBE from Bad Münstereifel (Ashford's twin town in Germany) was granted the Freedom of the Borough for his services to town twinning and youth exchange. Herr Lethert's 40 years' service with the Anglo-German youth exchange was also honoured at a special dinner during the official twinning visit to Bad Münstereifel in September 1992.

The Officers and Men of the Queen's Regiment have also been granted the Freedom of the Borough. The Regiment, whose headquarters are at Howe Barracks, Canterbury, received the Freedom of the Borough on Saturday 13 June 1987. On Wednesday 9 September 1992 the Queen's Regiment amalgamated with the Royal Hampshires Regiment to become The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires), and on June 1 1996 the new Regiment exercised its right to march through the town with bayonets fixed, colours unfurled and band playing.

The most recent entry in the Borough's Roll of Honorary Freemen is Mr. Ernie Mexter, Chief Executive of Ashford Borough Council for approximately 18 years, who became a Freeman of the Borough at an official ceremony on 9 December 1995.

For more information on the Freedom of the Borough please contact Member Services on 01233 330564.