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A Phalanx of Freemen... Burnley's "Freedom Mayor" - he has handed over more freedom scrolls than any other mayor in the history of the town - holds one of the seven scrolls he presented yesterday, surrounded by the recipients. From the left (front) Councillor Brooks, Alderman Holgate, the Mayor (Councillor Frank Booth), Alderman Smith, Alderman Miss Proctor and Alderman Gallagher. Rear: The Town Clerk (Mr Brian Whittle) and Alderman Sutcliffe).

From an article by Bert Bolton:
Burnley paid tribute to 215 years of service to the community and the town on Wednesday, 20th March 1974, when the highest honour which it can bestow on anyone - The Freedom of the Borough - was conferred on six of the town's alderman, and one councillor. The honour is unique, even as a freedom, because since 1905, when it was first conferred, only 12 had received it (including the East Lancashire Regiment). Councillor Booth has now officiated at eight Freedom conferments, including the December ceremony which admitted former Town Clerk Mr Charles Vivian Thornley into the elite total of 19. With the ending of the present Burnley borough on March 31st, the Freedom list will remain as it is - 19 - conferred over a period of 69 years. Alderman Joseph Herbert was unable to attend the ceremony, being indisposed. His wife attended on his behalf and the Mayor said that a private ceremony would be arranged on Alderman Herbert's behalf at a later date.

The silver caskets, made to contain the vellum freedom scrolls, will have to be handed over at a later date because they were not ready in time. As each recipient stepped forward to receive the Freedom scroll and to sign the Freedom roll, they made it apparent that although they had served hard, long years in public life, they really considered that "the pleasure has been ours". Councillor Edward Hanson, who is to become mayor of the new borough on May 15th, moved the resolution which added seven more Freemen to Burnley's honourable list. He welcomed those present for the ceremony, including the Bishop of Burnley (the Rt Rev. R. C. C. Watson).