A RETIRED council official has become only the fourth person to be made an Honorary Freeman of Newton Aycliffe.

Former town clerk Andrew Bailey was officially handed the prestigious honour by the town’s mayor, Sandra Haigh, in a presentation after a Great Aycliffe Town Council meeting last week.

Mr Bailey retired in May after 32 years working for the council, the last 15 as the town’s clerk.

He joins only three other people to have been given the accolade, which recognises long service and outstanding achievement.

Mr Bailey said: “It is a fantastic honour and something I didn’t expect or work for.

"It just happened, and I’m really pleased to be included with the other three eminent people.”

Bob Fleming was the last to have been given the Honorary Freeman of Aycliffe in 2015. Prior to that Eric White received the honour in 1995 and Don Vickers in 1983.

Mr Bailey, from Chester-le-Street, was joined by wife, Linda, and daughter, Charlotte, at last Wednesday night’s ceremony, which included heartfelt tributes from councillors Eddy Adam, Arun Chandran and John Clare.

“I didn’t recognise myself some of the time,” joked Mr Bailey.

“You don’t realise what you do and how much other people appreciate what you're doing at the time of doing a job.

“I’m not a person who looks for plaudits or pats on the back, I just get on doing what I’m paid to do.

“It was actually quite a shock when I was first told about it. I was going to ride off into the sunset, I wasn’t expecting this at all.”

During the presentation, Labour’s new leader Eddy Adam, who originally tabled the motion to honour the ex-town clerk, lead the tributes.

Cllr Adam said: “He’s truly an individual with real integrity, and has demonstrated a great devotion to his work, his colleagues and to our town. The parish of Great Aycliffe has been the beneficiary of his work ethic and knowledge over the past 32 years.

“Using his extensive knowledge of local government protocols, and expected standards within local authority, he ensured the council remained financially viable and delivering an excellent service to the town’s people.”

Independent councillor Arun Chandran said: “There’s no money for this honour. No trinkets. Not even a free meal at the Sports Complex! Just its exclusiveness.

“Andrew was no bureaucrat. He was highly intelligent, extremely confident. His honesty and integrity have always been above questions.

“He was a tireless and dedicated public servant. He helped enormously in putting the Great into Great Aycliffe.”

Mr Bailey got his first role with Great Aycliffe Town Council in 1989 as director of parks and leisure services. He was promoted to director of leisure and environment before becoming town clerk in 2006.

Mr Bailey, from Chester-le-Street, added: “Having spent a lot more time at home than at work these last few months, I’ve come to realise how well I know Aycliffe, as opposed to where I’ve lived for 30-odd years, which is strange.

“I’m sure I’ll be calling back a few times to see familiar faces every now and then.”

 

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