FOUR people are to receive Barnard Castle’s highest honour.
The decision to make John Hinchcliffe, John Watson, Marie Yarker and Revd John Moore all Freemen of the town was taken during a special meeting of Barnard Castle Town Council on June 16.
The title has only been given out four times in the town’s history.
A citation for Mr Hinchcliffe, who has been involved with local government affairs in Teesdale for 47 years, described him as being an invaluable volunteer and keen businessman in the town.
It said: “Over several decades he has supported the Friends of the Richardson Hospital by playing Father Christmas and dishing out presents to patients on Christmas Day.
This volunteer work earned him an Attend Diamond Award signed by Prince Andrew, Duke York.
“He has also been involved with the work of Citizens Advice Bureau.”
As a businessman, Mr Hinchliffe sponsored local football teams and the Girl Guides.
He was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Honours List in 2012.
Another former town council member of 38 years, Mr Watson served as town mayor in 2004 and 2005, and helped to develop the Barnard Castle local plan in association with Teesdale District Council.
Through the town council he helped secure a weight restriction on the county bridge, established the town’s conservation area and had influence over the overseeing of the Demesnes, Flatts Woods, Scar Top and The Bowes Museum Park.
His citation said: “John Watson has always been a vigorous advocate of the role and purpose of the town council, urging it to utilise the powers of the Localism Act to secure the future of important local assets and to tackle the deterioration of the town’s green assets and public seating.”
Mr Watson was involved in other community organisations such as The Witham Hall and Teesdale YMCA.
Recognised as a devoted fundraiser, volunteer and community champion, Ms Yarker is the first woman to receive the town’s top honour.
She has been heavily involved in the Guides and has served as mayoress alongside her husband John four times.
Ms Yarker is best known for her work with the Friends of the Richardson Hospital group but is also involved with town events such as Meet Weekend the 1940s Weekend.
Former Barnard Castle School chaplain, Revd Moore receives the honour in part for founding Teesdale’s only
talking newspaper for blind people and for his chairmanship of Durham Community Alarm Trust, which helps elderly people stay in their homes.
He was also heavily involved with the Rotary Club.
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