Mirfield actor Sir Patrick Stewart to be given Freedom of Kirklees

Councillors will meet at an Extraordinary Council meeting to formally approve Mirfield-born actor Sir Patrick Stewart, fundraiser Mrs Joan Gorton from Dalton and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage CBE from Marsden, honorary freemen status.

This rare honour comes as Kirklees Council, which was founded on April 1 1974, will be turning 50 this year.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Cathy Scott, said: “Mrs Gorton is the co-founder of local charity Epilepsy Action Huddersfield, which she co-founded along with her late husband. She has worked tirelessly for more than 50 years, raising money for the charity, and campaigning for better resources and healthcare for those with the condition and their families.

“The achievements of Simon Armitage CBE and Sir Patrick Stewart are well documented, both nationally and internationally, and both talk proudly about their Yorkshire roots.

“I am delighted we are able to put forward these people for their achievements and the contribution they have made in shining a spotlight on our great Borough.”

The Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr 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 the communities or achieved something outstanding.

“These individuals have done just that, and I am proud that we are considering bestowing the highest Civic honour on them.”

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour a council can award, an honour which is given rarely and 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.

Former Huddersfield East MP Sir William (“Bill”) Mallalieu was given the honour in January 1980, and the former Speaker of the House of Commons, Dewsbury-born Betty Boothroyd, was granted Freeman status in November 1992.