Patrick Stewart, Simon Armitage and Joan Gorton to be given freedom of Kirklees next month

Earlier in the year, an extraordinary council meeting was held where approval was given for co-founder of local charity, Epilepsy Action Huddersfield, Joan Gorton from Dalton, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage CBE from Marsden, and Mirfield-born actor Sir Patrick Stewart, to get honorary freemen status.

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour a council can award, an honour which is given only in exceptional circumstances, where the prospective recipient has demonstrated outstanding achievements in the borough and/or on the international stage, bringing pride to their borough.

This rare honour has only been given to two other people in Kirklees – the former Huddersfield East MP Sir William (“Bill”) Mallalieu in January 1980, and the former Speaker of the House of Commons, Dewsbury-born Betty Boothroyd, in November 1992.

The following groups have also received the award:

• The 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Volunteers (March 1979)
• The 122,000 citizens of the French town of Besançon, to mark 50 years of twinning with Huddersfield in October 2005.
• The Yorkshire Regiment in September 2006
• The Rifles Regiment in July 2011.

Speaking earlier in the year, former-Mayor Cahal Burke said: “The granting of the Freedom of the Borough only happens on rare occasions and it honours figures who have made a significant contribution to life in their communities or achieved something outstanding.

“These individuals have done just that, and I am proud that we can bestow the highest civic honour on them.”