Beryl Morton Honorary Freeman Houghton Regis

The Houghton Regis Town Council was delighted and honoured to bestow upon Mrs Beryl Morton the prestigious award of Honorary Freeman at the Pride of Houghton Awards Ceremony on 13th October 2018.

Although Mrs Morton was unable to attend in person the Town Mayor Cllr K Wattingham the following speech:

“As a community I believe that we work best when we support each other and collectively work for the benefit of all. This award is made in this spirit to a truly wonderful and remarkable lady. She is a very well-known character in Houghton Regis, always smiling, supporting and encouraging, and tirelessly working for us all.

The Honorary Freeman award is not conferred lightly. Any recipient has to have made a long term and lasting contribution to the town. This lady’s contribution has indeed been both long and conspicuous.

In the 1970’s she was best known as a local breeder of miniature poodles and was frequently seen cycling around town sporting war-time fashion nylons, gloves and a feather in her hat.

However she truly came to have a high profile in the Town as a leading light in the Horticultural Society. As a successful organiser, her annual shows in the Memorial Hall were famous, as was her garage where produce was sold and exchanged.

In addition her association with All Saints Church has and remains very important to her, indeed upon retirement she became the parish administrator for the church. During which time she enjoyed the parish pilgrimages to the Middle East. Part of her role within the church was to organise the flower arranging at All Saints, bringing life and colour to what was then a building in a sorry state. The flower shows brought a wide range of people to both the church and the town, and their praise for such a high-quality display was always noted.

Of particular note was her tireless work to fundraise for the church. As already mentioned the church was falling into disrepair, the church building leaked and flooded and fireworks had caused damage to the school and main building. This remarkable lady and a team of other willing volunteers worked tirelessly to raise funds to rebuild the Tower. Thankfully they raised enough and there it stands today, at the very heart of our Town.

Throughout her association with the church her soprano voice has lent quality and dignity to one of the best choirs around. She has rarely missed a rehearsal or service.

Over and above she had a real affection for the Town and this has shone through in all she has partaken in. She has never heard a negative about the Town without burying it in positives. She believes in Houghton and all that it stands for.

We do not confer the Freedom of the Town lightly. It is not simply Mrs Beryl Morton’s past voluntary efforts that we acknowledge, albeit that they are worthy, but also her spirit which has and will remain unconquerable and her positivity about the Town in which she lives. On behalf of the Town Council and all our residents it was with great delight in presenting, Mrs Morton, Honorary Freeman of Houghton Regis 2018."

Mrs Morton was presented with a framed certificate and a beautiful arrangement of flowers by the Town Mayor, Cllr K Wattingham, at her home, Vane Cottage.

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