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.