Freedom of the Borough

The title 'Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Middlesbrough' is awarded to people 'of distinction' and people who have, in the opinion of the council, 'rendered eminent services to the borough'. HM Services units are awarded 'Freedom of the Borough'.

These award is given to very few people, and is the highest honour the council can give.

There are two Freedom boards in the Council Chamber. The oldest board lists the people who were given Freedom by the County Borough of Middlesbrough. The second board lists those who were given Freedom by Middlesbrough Council.

People granted Freedom by the County Borough of Middlesbrough

William Fallows - 9 March 1886

Raylton Dixon - 14 January 1890

Isaac Wilson - 26 July 1892

William Bulmer - 14 March 1894

Sir Lowthian Bell, Bart - 2 November 1894

Hugh Bell - 2 November 1894

Samuel A Sadler - 13 July 1897

Arthur John Dorman - 11 October 1904

Richard Archibald - 8 March 1910

Joseph Calvert - 7 November 1919

Thomas Dormand Stewart - 6 November 1924

William Joseph Bruce - 3 April 1925

Thomas Gibson Poole - 13 April 1932

Miss Edith J Carter (Mrs Carter Owen) - 26 March 1934

Preston Kitchen CBE - 23 September 1936

John Wesley Brown - 21 September 1944

George Absalom Carey - 26 June 1946

Thomas Meehan OBE - 2 February 1949

John William Welch - 2 May 1956

Bertram Ramsey - 5 March 1958

Lewis Taylor - 30 March 1967 (deceased 23 May 1983)

Louisa Burton - 30 March 1967

Right Rev. Monsignor Canon M O'Sullivan - 26 March 1968 (deceased 6 May 1978)

People granted Freedom by Middlesbrough Council

Mrs Mary A. Daniel - 16 October 1974 (deceased 23 December 1983)

Mrs Ethel A. Gaunt - 16 October 1974 (deceased 10 June 1990)

The Rt. Hon. Lord Bottomley OBE of Middlesbrough in the County of Cleveland - 21 December 1976 (deceased 3 November 1995)

Councillor Mr E. A. Dickinson MBE - 8 May 1981 (deceased 2001)

Mrs Rose M. Haston - 9 May 1986 (deceased 22 January 1991)

Councillor Mr Arthur Pearson CBE - 9 May 1986 (deceased 23 February 1997)

Councillor Mr Robert I. Smith - 9 May 1986 (deceased 23 February 1993)

Councillor W. Ferrier MBE - 16 June 1992 (deceased 4 March 2015)

Councillor Miss G. Popple - 16 June 1992 (deceased 10 May 2003)

Councillor Mr Len Poole BEM JP - 16 June 1992 (deceased 15 May 2011)

Mr John Robert Foster OBE - 8 March 1996 (deceased 12 May 2022)

Alma Collin MBE - 15 March 2000 (deceased 2014)

Councillor Mrs Hazel Pearson OBE - 3 December 2003 (deceased 5 February 2016)

Mr Steve Gibson - 18 March 2004

Mr Jack Hatfield - 30 June 2009 (deceased January 2014)

Mr Mackenzie Thorpe - 11 April 2019

Regiments granted the Right of Freedom of Entry

The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales' own Yorkshire Regiment) - 13 May 1944 (transferred to the Yorkshire Regiment on 25 October 2006)

34th (Northern) Signal Regiment (Volunteers) - 29 April 1972

HMS Marlborough - 15 March 2000