Three of the best to receive borough’s highest honour

Three Bury residents are set to be awarded Freedom of the Borough in recognition of their long public service.

They are long-serving foster parents Keith and Helen Atkinson, and Unsworth councillor and former mayor Joan Grimshaw, who is standing down next year.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “Since 1885, Freedom of the Borough has been the highest award we can grant. While it doesn’t confer any special privileges, it’s a terrific way to place on record our thanks to local people for their service and achievements.

“All three of our nominees have demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving our borough and the lives of our citizens, and are thoroughly deserving of this honour.”

For candidates to be considered for Freedom, they must be able to demonstrate a strong and continuing connection with, and commitment to, the borough or have made a major contribution to national life and have enhanced the reputation of the borough.

This might be in the fields of artistic and cultural endeavours, business, economic growth and prosperity, charitable work, improvement to the built and natural environment, religious and spiritual life, sports activities and civic service.

The threesome will join the ranks of Bury freemen including the film-maker Danny Boyle, rock band Elbow, paralympian Zoe Robinson, and the late Colonel Eric Davidson.

The only organisation to be granted Freedom of the Borough is the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

A ceremony is now being organised for late January.

Cllr Grimshaw said: “I’m honoured to have been awarded the freedom of the borough of Bury. This borough has shaped my life; and its people, its traditions and its spirit have always been at the heart of everything I strive to do. To be recognised in this way by the very community I care so deeply about is an honour I shall cherish forever.”

And Keith Atkinson said: “We’re delighted and honoured to be getting this award. It was totally unexpected, straight out of the blue. This sort of thing doesn’t happen to a couple of council estate kids from Bury!”

ENDS

Press release issued: 17 November 2025.

Photo: Keith and Helen Atkinson, and Cllr Joan Grimshaw.