PONTEFRACT IN 1952
14th March
1952
Pontefract Honours Four Citizens
Freemen of the Town
The
colour and ceremony synonymous with the name of Pontefract were seen at
an unusual ceremony on Saturday when, in the presence of their fellow
dignitaries representing every phase of the town's life, four of its
principle public men were simultaneously made Honorary Freemen of the
Borough.
They
were:- The Mayor, Councillor G. Wright M.B.E. J.P., Councillor. T.P. Brindley, J.P.,
Alderman W. Ryder. J.P. and Alderman J. Rhodes. All have over twenty
years service on the Town Council, Councillor Brindley having the
longest record with 29. The Mayor is in his second term of office; the
two Aldermen are also ex-mayors; Councillor Brindley has held the office three times; and each has
distinguished himself in many other aspects of local public life. Their
inclusion on the Roll of Honour brings its number to sixteen, beginning
in 1905 with the late Mr. J.G. Lyon, and including the late Lord Baden
Powell founder of the Scout Movement. Until Saturday, however,
Councillor G. Wilkinson, the former Town Clerk of Pontefract who was one
of the principles in the ceremony, was the only living member of this
exclusive company.
The
historic Town Hall, illumined escutcheons, gallery, and bench toned
exactly with the spectacle, which was mounted in a manner befitting the
occasion. Flowering plants and palms transformed the vestibule, and an
indoor garden fringing a miniature fountain spread cool fragrant odours
in the hallway at the head of the stairs.
Promptly
on the hour of four the familiar announcement, "His Worship the
Mayor" rang through the room, and the crowded company stood
silently absorbing the influx of colour, as the ceremonial party made
its way to the dais-- the scarlet and gold of the Mayor’s vestments,
the blue and gold of the white-gloved Macebearer’s traditional
costume, the gleaming mace against the solemn black robes and formal
wigs of the recorder, Mr. C.V. Aarvold. O.B.E. and the Town Clerk, Mr.
J.F. Rook. Here and there, shining against dark suitings, was the royal
blue ribbons and richly enamelled pendants of the ex-Mayor.
Hobbies,
many of which he had to drop because of his public works, commended his
tolerance and sense of fair play; and admired particularly his work
during the war as A.R.P. Controller.
