8 November 2007
:
Mrs Lilian Mina, Chairman of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, will be admitted as a Freeman of the Borough of Harrogate at a ceremony to be held in the Sun Pavilion on Tuesday, 13 November 2007.
The honour of becoming a Freeman is the highest gift a local authority can bestow.
In Harrogate Borough Council's 123-year history, just 28 Freedom awards have been granted.
Mrs Mina will join a list of other eminent Freemen which include The Rt Hon the Earl Jellicoe (Admiral of the Fleet); Stanley Baldwin (Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury); Councillor Chris Brown MBE, Baroness Masham of Ilton and Mr Malcolm Neesam.
The council has the power to confer the Freedom of the Borough upon "persons of distinction and persons who, in the council's opinion, have rendered eminent services to the Borough."
The Royal Hall Restoration Trust, through the leadership skills of Mrs Lilian Mina, has raised over £2m to help save the country's last remaining Kursaal for the enjoyment of generations to come.
A Freedom Badge and Scroll will be presented to Mrs Mina.
The scroll includes the Prince of Wales Feathers (HRH the Prince of Wales is Trust Patron) and the Family Arms of Samson Fox, one of Harrogate's founding forefathers and Great Grandfather of Trust President, Edward Fox OBE.
The Freedom Scroll will also pay tribute to "...her commitment and persuasive skills that have resulted in an unprecedented show of public support for one of the country's best loved buildings."
ENDS
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
5.30 pm, Tuesday, 13 November, Sun Pavilion, Cornwall Road entrance, Harrogate.
It is expected that the meeting will conclude about 6.00 pm after which a small civic reception will be held.
A photograph of Mrs Mina escorting HRH The Prince of Wales around the Royal Hall is attached for your files.