12-05-2025
Town crier, former MP and veteran councillors set be honoured in borough
Great Harwood's town crier, Hyndburn's former Labour MP and an ex-political leader of the borough are set to be honoured this week.
Rawden Kerr, Graham Jones and Peter Britcliffe are among 11 people due to be confirmed as new Aldermen and Freemen of the Borough of Hyndburn when the authority holds its annual council meeting on Thursday.
To qualify for appointment as a freeman, the proposed recipient must be persons of distinction or persons who have, in the opinion of the authority, rendered eminent services to that place or area.
The new Freemen are Hilary Austin, Stephen Hutchinson BEM, Rawden Kerr, Zack Kerr, and Anne Lincoln.
To qualify for appointment as an aldermen, the proposed recipient must have rendered eminent services to the council as a past member of the council, but must not currently be a member of the council.
The recipients are Peter Britcliffe, Graham Jones, Abdul Khan and Malcolm Pritchard.
The report proposing their names says: "All have lengthy and distinguished former service with the council, or are former Mayors of the Borough, or have been leaders of an opposition group for the relevant qualifying period."
It says of the Freemen: "Hilary Austin is the chair for the Church and Oswaldtwistle Royal British Legion Branch and the chair for Accrington and District Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
"Stephen Hutchinson is Lieutenant of the Royal Naval Reserve and chair of Accrington and District Unit Sea Cadets. He was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2022.
"Rawden Kerr is the Town Crier for Great Harwood and is often called upon to officiate at events, not only throughout Hyndburn, but also in other parts of East Lancashire.
"Zack Kerr is a Changing Places ambassador who won the Positive Role Model for Disability Award at the National Diversity Awards in 2021.
"Anne Lincoln is a pastor at Clayton Baptist Church whose charitable work supports struggling individuals and families across Hyndburn and beyond."
Peter Britcliffe is a former Conservative leader of Hyndburn Council and former borough Mayor representing Oswaldtwistle on the borough and county authorities for many years.
Graham Jones was Labour MP for Hyndburn from 2010 to 2019, serving as a party whip, and was leader of the Labour opposition group on Hyndburn Council from 2005 to 2010.
Abdul Khan is a former Labour councillor who served as Mayor of Hyndburn in 2022/23.
Malcolm Pritchard is a long-serving Hyndburn politician and former Mayor who has represented Labour and UKIP and been an Independent councillor.
Each individual honoured will receive a commemorative badge and case at a cost of £393.28 each and be allowed up to eight guests at the Mayor Making event and dinner at a cost of £30 per head for the meal.
