Local Government
Honour for two Walsall stalwarts
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- Category: Walsall Council
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Two of Walsall’s leading lights and former Mayors are to be honoured for their contribution to public service by being admitted as Honorary Freemen of the Borough.
Councillor Bill Madeley MBE and Colin Beilby will be presented with silver caskets and scrolls to record their admission at a ceremony at Walsall Council House on Monday 7 June at 6pm.
Councillor Madeley was first elected to Walsall Council in 1971 as a Labour councillor for Bentley which later became Bentley & Darlaston North – a seat which he holds today.
He has clocked up almost 40 years’ service, becoming Mayor in 1988, Deputy Leader of the Council from 1997-1998 and Leader of the Council from January to May 1999.
He has served on a host of council committees and sub committees including education and community services and development control and has represented the council on a wide range of charities and organisations including Walsall Society for the Blind and Darlaston Housing Trust.
In 2003, Councillor Madeley formed Darlaston Events Committee and became its chairman.
He has worked tirelessly to support the regeneration of the town and develop the Old Hall’s People Partnership Centre, the Bentley Over 60’s Club and Darlaston Sons of Rest.
He was awarded the MBE in 2006.
Councillor Madeley said: "It is a great honour that the council is bestowing on Mr Beilby and myself and it is very humbling."
Colin Beilby represented the Palfrey ward and has just over 20 years’ service as a councillor.
He was Mayor in 2001 and had to retire from the council in 2002 due to ill health.
Mr Beilby has more than 50 years’ involvement with Joseph Leckie Community Technology College as a parent member of the PTA and a governor, including a period as the chair of governors.
The school’s new state of the art building has been named The Colin Beilby Building in recognition of his service.
Mr Beilby has also worked and been a governor at Delves Nursery, Infants and Junior Schools, Whitehall Nursery, Infants and Juniors, Palfrey Nursery, Infants & Juniors and Fullbrook Nursery.
He has also served on a number of Walsall Council committees and has represented the local authority on a range of external organisations including Walsall Citizens Advice Bureau and Age Concern Walsall.
In 1997 Mr Beilby was awarded the Medal of Merit in appreciation of his services to Walsall South District Scouts.
Mr Beilby said: "I feel privileged to be awarded this honour."
The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Gary Clarke, said the Freemen of the Borough was a fitting recognition for the roles played by Councillor Madeley and Mr Beilby.
He added: “They have both made a significant contribution to the borough and have enriched so many residents’ lives as a result of their efforts.”
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