Nominations open for Hungerford Freedom of the Town Awards

Members of the public and organisations can put forward nominees and suggestions should be received by March 1 next year.
The awards panel will then get to work before the full council ratifies any suggestions.
The awards will then be announced at the Town Meeting on March 14.
Town clerk Claire Barnes said it was anticipated that two awards would be made next year.
She added: “There were quite a few last year because it was the inaugural year and there was some catching up to do.”
Forms are available from the town council offices and will soon be made available online, too, at www.hungerford.uk.net
The recipients of Hungerford’s inaugural Freedom of the Town Awards last year were Rod Desmeules, for his organisation and maintenance of the renowned Christmas lights, floral displays and flagpoles; the late, former town mayor Gwynneth Bullock, for her support for 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 the NWN Over 80s Christmas parcels, Royal British Legion and Tuesday Club and the late Robin Tubb, veteran town crier and bellman.
The award is intended to promote good citizenship by recognising as role models those “who, by their actions and demeanour have demonstrated exceptionally loyal service to the benefit of the town.”
Meanwhile it was announced that there is no room in the town hall for a plaque recording recipients of the awards.
The news was broken by town mayor Martin Crane (pictured) to a meeting of the full council.
He said: “We had hoped there would be room in this building but the Town and Manor say there are already too many boards. This is, of course, their building and not the town council’s, so it’s their decision.”
Instead, Mr Crane suggested: “There is some room outside the council offices, and we can claim that as our own. Therefore there’s a suggestion that we place a board either just outside the door or inside.”
The town council offices are sited in the public library in Church Street and David Liddiard pointed out: “More people will go to that building than to this one.”
The full council agreed to site the board in the council offices.