Freedom of the Town Recipients

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ou are in [People] [Freedom of the Town Recipients]

The Freedom of the Town awards were first made by the Town Council in March 2012. Each year Hungerford Town Council invites Hungerford residents to nominate someone from within their community, who’s demonstrated exceptionally loyal service to benefit the town. People who’ve made a significant, and often long-standing contribution to support the well-being of our community.

The 2012 recipients were:

- Rod Desmeules - for his organisation and maintenance of the renowned Christmas lights, floral displays and flagpoles,
- Gwyneth Bullock - former town mayor, for her support offor social events, church activities and twinning events,
- Kathleen Walker - for her work with the Women's Institute, Croft Hall, Luncheon Clubs and CHAIN,
- Betty Grant - for her lengthy and outstanding contribution to the community, ongoing contribution to CHAIN and NWN Over 80s Christmas parcels, Royal British Legion and Tuesday Club, and
- the late Robin Tubb - veteran Town Crier and Bellman.

The 2013 recipients were:

- Jack Williams
- Bill Acworth, and
- John Hollister - follow this for more on John Hollister.

The 2014 recipients were:

- Robert James
- Hugh Pihlens
- Ron Tarry - see "Whole town mourns Ron Tarry" NWN 10th March 2022.

The 2015 recipients were:

- John Newton
- Roger Beard

The 2016 recipients were:

- David Clayton - long serving director and producer with the Community of Hungerford Theatre Company
- Janette Kersey - who has served with the charity CHAIN for 20 years, 10 of them as chairwoman. Also given 25 years dedicated service to the Hungerford Surgery, is a former town mayor and a Hungerford Primary School governor.
- Neale Marney - an organiser of the Victorian Extravaganza, a volunteer first aid responder at civic events, the main co-ordinator for intalling and financing the town's defibrillators, a chorister at St Lawrence Church, and a Hungerford Primary School governor.

The awards were presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley, at a ceremony on the Corn Exchange on 14 Jun 2016.

- Beryl Fowler - A special award was made in December to Beryl Fowler, who had served as clerk to Hungerford Town Council for 32 years, chairwoman of HADCAF from 1994 until 2015, as well as many other acts of service to the community.

The 2017 recipient was:

- Margaret Wilson

The 2018 recipients were:

- Norman Barr
- Chris Scorey
- Catherine Wooliston

The 2019 recipients were:

Chris Buck. As well as being a church organist at St Lawrence’s, Chris also organises concerts at the church and elsewhere to help raise funds for a variety of local groups, assists at the ABC toddler group and organises the church’s annual flower festival.

Chris Buck died in May 2020 (during the coronavirus lockdown). See "Mayor's tribute to town stalwart" - NWN 14 May 2020.

Peter Harries. As well as being a former Town Councillor and serving two terms as Mayor, Peter has also been actively involved in a number of local charities and community groups over the years. These include CHAIN, the Kennet & Avon Canal and the Bowls Club. He is also a trustee for the Hungerford Library & Community Trust.

Ted Angell. Ted is a Trustee and the Handybus Co-ordinator for CHAIN. The Handybus is a community minibus whose services are primarily directed at those who are less mobile or socially isolated. As well as bring a volunteer driver, he was also instrumental in the recent successful bid for funds for a new bus.

See: "Trio are awarded Freedom of Town" - NWN 28 Mar 2019

See: "Ted, Chris and Peter given Freedom of the Town" - NWN 27 Jun 2019

The 2020 recipients were:

Derek Loft, Di Loft, Roger Ballard and Steve 'Skippy' Skipworth. See "Freedom of Hungerford for husband and wife" - NWN 26 Mar 2020 and "Freedom of Town for local heroes", NWN 22 Oct 2020.

The 2022 recipients were:

Martin Crane, Penny Locke and Jennifer Bartter.

The awards were presented by Sarah Scrope, DL, at a special ceremony in the Corn Exchange on 9th October 2022.

The 2023 recipients were:

On Wednesday 27 September 2023 Charlie Barr, Richard Hofgartner and Tony Drewer-Trump were awarded Freedom of the Town for their outstanding contributions to our community by Simon Muir, High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire and Mayor of Hungerford Helen Simpson.

Charlie Barr - has been awarded for many reasons but recognised for her enthusiastic work with Hungerford Youth and Community Centre for over 12 years, promoting and taking it from strength to strength. She chairs the board of trustees and is a huge part of HYCC’s Youth Club. Charlie’s role in the community of Hungerford is second to none, she volunteers at all kinds of events and opportunities. To name but a few she has been previously involved with Hungerford Rugby Club, she has run the Ladybugs parent and toddler group and for several years has run Brownies and Guides groups in Hungerford. There is no doubt that Charlie deserves this award for her exceptional dedication and input to the town. Congratulations Charlie.

Stewart Hofgartner - a huge supporter of the town for 45 years, really is so deserving of this award! To start on the impressive list of attributes, Stewart is the founding member of Hungerford Chamber of Commerce and has contributed to countless charitable events over the years. He has given many inspiring talks to organizations, donated raffle prizes and has been the most outstanding auctioneer at charitable events. Stewart (along with Keith Haddrell) was the driving force that created The Victorian Extravaganza, Stewart continued to run the event for 15 years and the Extravaganza continues to succeed and is now in its 30th year! Other commendable contributions include his position as constable for Town and Manor between 1993 and 1995 and 25 years as a trustee. His support goes above and beyond for HTC with his generous contributions to brightening up the town with the Christmas Lights and Flower Baskets. It all began with trading in the Hungerford Arcade and then in his own shop ‘Below Stairs’ which celebrates 50 years of trading in 2024! Hungerford is known for its antiques trade and the town has benefitted from presence of ‘Below Stairs’ which attracts many visitors from far and wide. Finally lets not forget to mention Stewart is an ambassador for Hungerford as one of the most popular dealers on Dickinson’s Real Deal on ITV1. Stewart you are a real asset to the town and Hungerford is lucky to have you.

Tony Drewer-Trump - has given up generous amounts of his free time over a significant number of years setting up and running events that are a huge benefit to the community. Some of his noticeable achievements include his involvement in Hungerford Environmental Action Team (HEAT), his key role in Hungerford 2036 Neighbourhood Plan and being a trustee of the Croft Hall. For several years Tony has chaired HAHA (Hungerford Allotment Holders Association) and has been hugely involved with the establishment and maintenance of the Marsh Lane allotments. He has also been the driving force behind Arts of Hungerford a CIC run by volunteers which puts on regular arts events for the community including an annual free arts festival for children. This year’s event was a big success and the talk of the town for a while. The art festival’s key goal is introducing children to the Arts and Tony has worked closely with the primary school to arrange music events. Tony is undeniably an asset to the town and is appreciated for all the time an effort he has contributed over the years. Congratulations Tony.”

The 2024 recipients:

This year's recipients were presented with their awards by Deputy Lieutenant Willie Hartley Russell at a cermony in the Corn Exchange. They were Tim and Sandie Crouter, Barbara Barr and Susan Mayes.

Tim and Sandie Crouter: In 1994 Tim Crouter took over as musical director of Hungerford Town Band. Sandie joined the band in the couple of years preceding this and between them they have been leading the band ever since. It is particularly fitting that we should be awarding them both as 2024 marks their 30 years of service to the band - an amazing achievement.

Tim rebuilt the band following a splitfrom the previous musical director. This included a training band for local children, some of which are still in the band today.

Tim offers tutoring for brass and woodwind instruments within the local primary school and other schools along with private tuition.

Sandy has taken on many responsibilities, including treasurer, band librarian, engagement secretary and concert organiser. She also supports Tim with the junior band and with tuition.

Tim and Sandie's dedication to youth development is evident through the junior training band, which meets weekly and performs regularly at concerts.

Without their unwavering support and enthusiasm, the band would not have survived and be in the strong position it is within the town and in the rankings in the UK brass band world today, leading them to national contest success. They also contribute to key local events like the Mayor's Carol Concert, Remembrance Day Parade and Poppy Concert, and have been involved with the D-Day Commemorations, Queen's birthday and Jubilee celebrations. We are extremely thankful for the countless hours of their time they cominit to the band and local community.

Barbara Barr: Barbara was a longserving trustee to the Town & Manor and became the first female Constable in 500 years, shattering long-standing gender barriers. Her achievements include fundraising for the fire station, the swimming pool, cricket pavilion and many other causes. She was also an active member of the United Reformed Church and was responsible for starting the Junior Church.

As well as her involvement with the Tuttipole restaurant, she was president of the Town Band for three years, St John Ambulance
cadets for around 20 years and chairwoman of the Ladybird Mother and Toddler group.

Her dedicated committment to the town over many years includes teaching at John O'Gaunt School for over 25 years. She was a stalwart supporter of Hocktide. Barbara organised the Tutti girls each year for Hocktide, firstly at school and, after retiring, by liaisirig with school on behalf of the Town & Manor. Barbara did this for 23 years.

Barbara made costumes for the town pantomime for three years. She has served on the Camburn Educational Foundation and was chairwoman for a period.

Despite health issues she worked on matters related to the Platinum Jubilee and was a committee member for the Diamond Jubilee, previously having been on the committee organising the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Barbara's unwavering commitment and contribution to the community is simply outstanding.

Susan Mayes: In 1988, when Susan moved to Hungerford, she was an art and textile teacher in Caine. These skills were rapidly put to work, making costumes for the historical community play "1688: The Hungerford Connection".

These skills are evident today as Susan created many of the Panels in the Hungerford Millennium Embroidery, and it would be hard to count the amount of event bunting that has been churned out of her trusty sewing machine! Quite a lot of this bunting was used by Chilton Foliat Primary School, where Susan was head of the Parents Association for six years.

Cancer took its toll on Susan's family and so she became an active committee member and then treasurer of the Hungerford Friends of Cancer Research. Although this group is no more, Susan continues her fund-raising within a group that organises dolls house sales and auctions, which each year raises thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK. The latter is also a labour of love, as Susan is a keen collector of dolls houses, antique toyshops and other curios, which is why she can often be found browsing and helping out in the Hungerford Arcade.

The arts are in Susan's blood, so in 2017, working with Tony Drewer-Trump, she played a major role in designing and delivering the
Hungerford Art Trail. She also supported HADCAF, persuading schools to participate, and helping to set up exhibitions of students' artwork.

Susan was a very enthusiastic and practical member of the committee for Hungerford's 80th D-Day Commemoration Weekend. She designed and delivered the ration card tour of the town and the children's craft activities that captivated and included a younger generation in the event.

Susan is perhaps most noticeable in her Smarten Up Hungerford tabard, working in the team of volunteers that plants and rnaintains Hungerford's beautiful floral displays, as well as collecting litter about our town. In between looking after her grandchildren, Susan will soon be embarking on her annual poppy collecting for the British Legion.