THREE of the leading lights of the arts world are to be awarded the highest honour a North-East town can bestow.
Lord David Puttnam, Anthony Sargent and the Royal Northern Sinfonia are to be made Honorary Freemen of Gateshead.
The decision was made at a council meeting last Thursday due to the significant contribution they have made to the success of Sage Gateshead.
The recipients will fittingly be honoured in the year of Sage Gateshead’s tenth birthday. Lord Puttnam CBE has been nominated for his role as Chair of North Music Trust, while Mr Sargent CBE has been nominated for his role as General Director of Sage Gateshead. Meanwhile Royal Northern Sinfonia, the only full-time professional chamber orchestra in the UK, will become only the second organisation to receive the award.
The recipients will be presented with their titles at a ceremony due to take place later this year, joining the ranks of people such as Antony Gormley OBE and Brendan Foster CBE.
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