Councillor Jan French has been honoured by being handed the Freedom of March for her services to the town and community. She becomes only the fifth person in the town’s history to have the honour bestowed on them.
She was put forward for the honour by her daughter, Kim, also a town councillor and also a former mayor of March.
Cllr Kim French nominated her mother for the award in April, pointing out that her mother had been Mayor of March on five occasions.
Town council minutes record that Cllr Kim French referred to her mother having “tirelessly and selflessly served the town for over 30 years”.
She said her mother had “helped the vulnerable and advocated for the youth and armed forces” in addition to “running committees to deliver wonderful community events in the town, providing FACT with its first fridge”.
All councillors voted in favour of the “much-deserved award”.
Last month Cllr J French was presented with a framed scroll by Cllr Gary Christy, the current Mayor of March.
Cllr Jan French expressed her gratitude at receiving this award and said she felt “very honoured to be only the fifth recipient of the Freedom of the Town” and thanked everyone for their support.
She remains a town, district and county councillor and is also deputy leader of Fenland District Council.