FOUR MARKS PARISH COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE “Parish honours long serving Councillor with special award” In 1835 a Parliamentary Act gave councils in England and Wales the power to award the title of Honorary Freeman to "persons of distinction and any persons who have rendered eminent services to the borough". Freemen have enjoyed exemption from tolls at pike staff river crossings, roads and bridges to take their cattle to market. They were often the only people eligible to vote at parliamentary elections. Several major changes were made to the Act in 1885 by the Marquess of Ripon and Charles Norwood and this continued until the Local Government Act of 1933. It was then repealed by the Local Government Act of 1972, and awards of Honorary Freemen are now made under legislation as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act of 2009. Cllr Bryan Timms has served the Parish of Four Marks for 24 years, as both District and Parish Councillor, and was Chairman for almost 10 years. He stepped down as Chairman in 2014 after what was one of the most tumultuous periods, in his words, he had experienced. Having steadied the ship he then stepped down and handed the reins over to Cllr Paul Turner, pictured here presenting Cllr Timms with his certificate. Cllr Timms responded by saying he was humbled to receive this recognition and commented on how things had changed over the years, highlighting his most memorable achievements in his tenure as Chairman as the building of the Benian’s Pavilion and the refurbishment of Oak Green, although retiring from the Parish Council he still very much hopes to be part of the Youth Sports Activity Centre project as it moves ahead. Four Marks Paris Council would like to thank Cllr Timms for his extraordinary services to the Parish and all wish him well in his retirement. 10TH April 2015 Sarah Goudie, 01420 768284 sarah@fourmarkspc.co.uk