From time to time, members of the community demonstrate outstanding commitment and contribution to the wellbeing of the Town and it is recognised that their efforts should be acknowledged. At their last full council meeting, Aylesbury Town Council, discussed two nominations, and made the decision to bestow the title of “Honorary Freewoman of the Parish of Aylesbury” to Mrs Freda Roberts, MBE and Miss Ellen White.
The title of Honorary Freewoman is the highest honour any Council can bestow on someone. The Honorary Freemen of the Boroughs Act 1885 authorised the granting of the title “Honorary Freeman” to persons “of distinction” who had “rendered eminent service” to the town or borough.
Mrs Freda Roberts MBE, a stalwart of the local community, receives the honour in recognition of the eminent, valuable and devoted services, which she has rendered to the people and Parish of Aylesbury.
Miss White has been bestowed the honour in recognition of the commitment and dedication she has shown in her chosen career, raising the profile of Sport, being a positive example to others, showing what can be done with drive and determination and representing the Town of Aylesbury both in Great Britain and abroad.
Freda, a former nurse, was born and bred in Yorkshire. She moved to Aylesbury after she met her late husband Rupert while he was stationed in the county during the Second World War and visiting one of his comrades in hospital.
Rupert and Freda married and settled first in Aylesbury High Street before moving later on to Southcourt, where they brought up their two children.
The mother-of-two developed a soft spot for the town and its people, and was first elected as a councillor for Southcourt on the Aylesbury Borough Council in 1963 before the local authority reshuffle in 1974, when it became Aylesbury Vale District Council.
Freda has been Mayor three times, represented Bucks County Council, appointed a Magistrate, been a school governor, made an Alderman and got involved with various charities and organisations. She has served the people of Aylesbury for over 52 years.
Ellen is an English International football forward who plays her club football for Notts County Ladies of the FA’s Women Super League. Ellen has made over 40 appearances for the England national team since her debut in March 2010, playing at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was also part of the Great Britain team for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Ellen’s father, ran a soccer academy called ‘Mini Dux’ in Aylesbury, where Ellen played her early football. She also played football for Aylesbury Town before being spotted by Arsenal Ladies scouts at the age of eight.
Throughout her career Ellen played for England at Under–17, 19, 20 and 23 levels and in 2011 was voted the England Women’s Player of the Year
The title will be conferred upon Mrs Roberts and Miss White at the Mayor Making Ceremony held in May 2016 at Aylesbury College.
A Freedom Scroll will be presented to each of them conferring the title of “Honorary Freewoman of the Parish of Aylesbury”.