Freedom of the Borough
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.
Mr. Ernie Mexter, Chief Executive of Ashford Borough Council for
approximately 18 years, became a Freeman of the Borough at an
official ceremony on 9 December 1995.
The most recent entry in the Borough's Roll of Honorary Freemen
are the 133 Field Company Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
(Volunteers) who were granted the Freedom of the Borough at a
ceremony at the Civic Centre, Ashford on Thursday 7 May
2009.
For more information on the Freedom of the Borough please
contact Member Services on 01233 330564.
This webpage was updated on
7/8/2009