Lady Darnley will be awarded freewoman title

Lady Darnley will be awarded the title of freewoman of Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Council has voted to award the honorary title to Susan Bligh, the Dowager Countess of Darnley.

Council chairman Sebastian Bowen said it had been a great privilege to get to know Lady Darnley who retired as Lord Lieutenant for the councy in September.

He proposed that she should be awarded the lifetime title and this was seconded by councillor Bob Matthews.

“Wherever I’ve attended events in the county with Lady Darnley, as lord lieutenant or in a private role she has been deeply respected and may I say loved in all instances,” he said.

“She has that magic ability to interact effortlessly with everyone she meets while always retaining their respect and regard as a representative on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen as Lord Lieutenant for Herefordshire, a role which she has fulfilled to perfection.

“Always dignified but never stuffy. She’s adept at seeing the funny side of things and putting people at ease.

“Turning what might have been a dull or pompous event into something that instantly becomes relaxed and enjoyable.

“As chairman of Herefordshire Council, it has been my great privilege to get to know Lady Darnley in a wide variety of settings from accompanying members of the Royal Family on official visits to the county to seeing her in deep conversation with military cadets as they went about their training.

“What more fitting way to mark our farewell to a great citizen and great representative of Her Majesty the Queen than by awarding the highest possible honour that this council can bestow.”

Council leader David Hitchiner thanked Lady Darnley for all her work over the years.

“I think that she thoroughly deserves that this honour is given to her.”

However, councillor Ellie Chowns said the award would “send the wrong signal”.

She felt the council should instead award the title to someone who has gone “above and beyond” during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’ve got nothing against Lady Darnley, she sounds like an absolutely lovely woman,” she said.

“But I just don’t feel this nomination is consistent with the intention of the honorary freeman and freewoman scheme.

“It was established in 2017 to honour people with outstanding commitment and exemplary service.

“And it was actually introduced here in response to the example of other local authorities who wanted to honour Olympians and Paralympians.

“The policy limits the number to four and it’s a lifetime award. So, it’s a very special award.

“And while undoubtedly Lady Darnley has done her job absolutely admirably and is a wonderful person in so many ways, I don’t feel it is within the spirit of the scheme to award it to somebody for doing their job really well and being an admirable person.”

“Lady Darnley already holds another title on the basis of heredity, is already honoured in many ways in our community and at this time where we’ve just been through this period of so many difficulties this year, I think it would perhaps send the wrong signal.”

Councillor Roger Phillips said it was correct to recognise Lady Darnley’s service.

“It is very difficult to identify single individuals for this award and when you start to four would never be enough.

“But I think on this occassion, because of the way she has carried out that role over the years and because of putting Herefordshire on the map and giving us some civic pride across the county, I’m certainly very pleased to support it.”

A total of 36 councillors voted for the proposal, with eight abstentions and three votes against.