Cecil’s a freeman of our city at last

9:20am Saturday 4th October 2008

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A HUMBLED Cecil Duckworth has been made a Freeman of Worcester.

In a grand ceremony held at Worcester’s Guildhall, in High Street, last night, the respected businessman, chairman of Worcester Warriors and founder of the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust was officially bestowed with the honour.

His name, engraved on a wooden plaque inside the Guildhall, now sits alongside the likes of British prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, composer Sir Edward Elgar and naval hero Lord Nelson.

Surrounded by friends, family and civic dignitaries, a self-effacing Mr Duckworth said: “When I look at the list of people who precede me, I’m very humbled.

“I’m delighted, naturally. This is a great honour and totally unexpected. I really am taken aback by it all.”

It was a proud night too for Worcester MP Mike Foster, who started the ball rolling by suggesting in June that Mr Duckworth should be given the freedom of the city.

“I’m absolutely delighted that the city council agreed with my suggestion to make Cecil a freeman,” said Mr Foster.

“It would have taken wild horses to keep me from this ceremony.

“It’s not often that an idea you have comes to fruition so quickly as this has and it is without doubt testimony to the high regard by which Cecil is held throughout the community.”

Raised in Macclesfield, Mr Duckworth moved to Worcester in the 1950s and established central heating firm Worcester Group, which was taken over by Bosch in 1992.

He became chairman of the Warriors 11 years ago and in 2004, the same year as he was recognised by the Queen with an OBE, he watched his rugby team win promotion to the Premiership.

In 1998 he helped create the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust, a conservation group responsible for inspiring residents to care for the environment.

Being a freeman – an honour that dates back to mediaeval times – traditionally meant being exempt from various taxes and having the pleasure of choosing your prison should you commit a crime.

Honorary freedoms were introduced in 1835.