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The prestigious Freedom of the Borough has been conferred to Ray Spencer MBE in recognition of his eminent service and outstanding contribution to the cultural and civic life of South Tyneside residents.

Mr Spencer, who is executive director at the Customs House, has spent over 20 years promoting and championing South Tyneside's performing arts and culture sector, raising the profile of the Borough as a visitor destination and playing a key role in multi-agency work aimed at improving the lives of people across South Tyneside.

The Honorary Freedom of the Borough was conferred at a specially convened Extraordinary Meeting of Borough Council today (Friday 21 October), with Mr Spencer presented with the Freedom Scroll by the Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Pat Hay.

The Mayor said: "Being awarded the Freedom of the Borough is a token of the immense gratitude, admiration and the high respect in which Ray Spencer is held by the Council.

"Ray gives his time, energy and expertise generously, contributing to many local civic, cultural and community efforts over the years. He also cares passionately about celebrating and nurturing the creative talents of local people to be the best they can be in the world of arts and entertainment.

"It was a real honour and a humbling experience to present the Freedom Scroll to such a worthy recipient."

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Leader of Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: "The Freedom of the Borough is one of the most prestigious civic awards that a local authority can bestow on any individual or organisation.

"Ray is joining only ten other people or organisations to have been awarded the Freedom of South Tyneside since 1981.

"In his act as Tommy the Trumpeter, which spanned 25 years, and his brilliantly creative stage characters, Ray has brought so much joy to generations of South Tyneside residents. He continues to be a well-known and much-loved community figure and a fantastic advocate for culture and arts across the Borough.

"We are delighted to be able to confer this rare award and lasting tribute to Ray for all he has done for the people of South Tyneside."

The ceremony held at South Shields Town Hall was attended by civic dignitaries and Members as well as Mr Spencer's family and friends. 

Ray Spencer MBE said: "It's an incredibly humbling honour to be recognised for living and working in a place I love, and I feel blessed to have been born, grown up, met my partner and raised our children in such a wonderful part of the world.

"I hope I can continue to serve our community for many years to come."

Other individuals and organisations to hold the Freedom of the Borough include The Rt Hon Lord Don Dixon P.C.D.L, The Citizens of Wuppertal, 205 (3^rd Durham Voluntary Artillery) Battery Royal Artillery (volunteers) and South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade.

The first steps required to confer the honour of Freedom of the Borough to all local NHS, carers and Key Workers, who contributed to keeping local people safe and ensuring essential services continued during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, were agreed at a recent meeting of Borough Council. An Extraordinary Meeting of Borough Council is now set to take place in March 2023.

Conferring the Freedom of the Borough to all local NHS, carers and Key Workers in March would coincide with the unveiling of six permanent Covid memorials being sited in towns and villages across South Tyneside. They will serve as focal points for reflection on the difficulties of the pandemic.

Working with the Cultural Spring, a process of meaningful community engagement has been taking place, allowing local people to help shape the content of the memorial inscriptions.