AT the full council meeting of the Holsworthy Town Council on Wednesday, March 1, it was discussed whether the ‘Freeman of Holsworthy’ event could be incorporated with the newly proposed civic town event.

It has been proposed that the civic honor of Freeman of Holsworthy be presented during the annual council meeting on Wednesday, May 3.

The council is also looking to set up a new award, the ‘Community Champions’ award, where more people can be nominated and receive recognition for their work in the town.

Town clerk Vanessa Saunders said: “There are people out there who don’t want to submit there names for the Freeman award because of the responsibilities that come with it. That is why we have suggested that we have an additional ‘Community Champions Award’.”

Mayor Jon Hutchings, suggested the Freeman of Holsworthy award event be changed to a different day to coincide with the new annual meeting. He said: “We have quite a few people in Holsworthy who are worthy of recognition, we had three nominations last year, all of whom deserved to win.

“I also think we as a council should put our nominations in so that we can, at least at that rate, have twelve nominees. The council get’s to decide on the public’s choice anyway so we might as well.”

Deputy mayor Pat Smith said: “It is important to celebrate the things people have done overall for the town, especially for example young people who may not qualify for the Freeman award.”

Ms Saunders agreed it was a good idea to commend people in Holsworthy and suggested looking at young carers as nominees.

Cllr Joanne Heaven asked if the nominees had to be from Holsworthy or could they be from the surrounding villages.

Cllr Hutchings said that the Freeman of Holsworthy had to be an electorate of the town but that the community champion certificates could be for anyone who has helped the community.

Ms Saunders concluded that the format of the Freeman of Holsworthy wasn’t to change but that the council would see how the Community Champions idea went this year.