Terry Sutton So proud to be made Freeman

VETERAN journalist Terry Sutton says he won’t be driving sheep across Buckland Bridge or marching through the town with bayonet fixed - two of the privileges he now enjoys as Honorary Freeman.

Mr Sutton, who is 82, was installed at Thursday’s mayor-making ceremony and said it was one of the proudest days of his life.

“I am proud of Dover although I feel sad at the state of some of the place,” he said.

Recalling the past duties of freemen, including the election of two members of parliament for the town and clearing silt from the harbour, he said he hoped he might be let off paying tax and be allowed free parking. “But I don’t think that will happen.”

Thanking the council for thinking he was worthy of the honour, he paid special tribute to former councillor Lyn Young for her work in restoring the council’s right to install Honorary Freemen.

Mr Sutton, who was born in Dover, attended Barton Road School and the Dover Boys’ Grammar School, serving as president of the old boys’ association, the Old Pharosians.

Dover Cllr Sue Jones said: “As a reporter, news editor and deputy editor, he always stressed the importance of local news as the management of the paper became more and more remote.”

He has been involved with the Dover Society, St Martin’s Emmaus, League of Friends of Dover Hospitals, White Cliffs Country Tourism Association, Dover Rotary Club and the Round Table, as well as Christians Together in Dover.

Mr Sutton provided scripts and narration for the Dover films and has written books on life in the town. He was made an MBE in 1991.