A well-attended ceremony took place to admit three new Freemen of Pembroke, Mr Trevor Pledger, and father and son Mr Martin John and Mr Finley John.

Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr Thomas Tudor and Mr Trevor Pledger
Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr Thomas Tudor and Mr Trevor Pledger (Pic supplied)

Present at Pembroke Town Hall Council Chamber were the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr Thomas Tudor, the Master of the Gild of Freemen of Pembroke Cllr Dennis Evans, the Mayor of Pembroke and Deputy Master of the Gild of Freemen Cllr Aden Brinn, Mayor Elect of Pembroke Cllr Ann Mortenson, and Ms Suzie Thomas Clerk of Pembroke Town Council.

Also present were family members of the new Freemen along with Freemen and Burgesses of Pembroke.

Following an opening prayer by the Chaplain of the Gild of Freemen Rev’d Canon Roger Jones, the Master welcomed all guests and introduced those present.

The Town Clerk confirmed the three claims were in order and invited the new Freemen to individually make the Freemen’s declaration pursuant to the custom and statute in force and to sign the Oath and Declaration. The Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council presented each of the newly admitted Freemen with a Certificate and offered his congratulations.

Cllr Tudor then spoke of the historic nature of the ceremony, acknowledging the good work undertaken by the Gild of Freemen and the continuing role of the County Council in the admission of Freemen.

Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr Thomas Tudor & Mr Martin John
Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr Thomas Tudor and Mr Martin John (Pic supplied)

In response, the Mayor spoke of the honour of conferring the Freedom in the Council Chamber. Cllr Brinn extended a special welcome to Cllr Melanie Phillips, the first lady to be admitted as a Freeman of Pembroke. He invited those present to join him for light refreshments in the Mayor’s Parlour following the close of the proceedings.

The Master of the Gild thanked the Chairman, Mayor and Town Clerk for their help in making the event possible. Cllr Evans outlined a brief history of Freemen in Pembroke, particularly noting that at one time only those who were Freemen of the town could hold the office of Mayor. He stated Cllr Melanie Phillips was the very first female Freeman to hold this position when, in 2012, she was elected the 633rd Mayor of Pembroke.

Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr Thomas Tudor and Mr Finley John
Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council Cllr Thomas Tudor and Mr Finley John (Pic supplied)