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Article - John
Barry Honorary Freeman of the City of York
Peter
Stanhope, 25th June 2002.
Well,
it's all over ! John Barry is now an Honorary Freeman of the City
of York !
We
had a great lunchtime with John Barry, his family and the extended
Prendergast clan when the City of York paid tribute to and honoured
the man of music with the Freedom of his native City.
John
seemed very touched by the ceremony and the tributes which were
paid to him by the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr. David Horton who had
obviously done his research well ! In a detailed account he traced
from John's roots in York through his long career and many awards
to his present day position as one godfathers of the movie music
industry.
In
his response John thanked the Lord Mayor and people of York for
their support over the years and for the tributes now being paid
him. He said that, amongst all of the accolades that he has received
over the years of his work in the film industry, to receive the
approval and honour of your own home City was extremely touching
and held most dear.
He
received an illuminated scroll in a decorative casket to record
his Honorary Freedom - one of extremely few which have been granted
by the City of York since the very first one in 1723. The Honorary
Freedom of the City is only granted to 'distinguished persons or
loyal servants of the City'.
Gathered
together were the many members of the Prendergast family including
his sister June Lloyd Jones, nieces and nephews, great nieces and
great nephews, as well as Laurie, his wife, and Jonpatrick, his
son. There were also many other people present who had connections
with Johns life including his ex-army mates from his national service
days in the Green Howards, friends from the old Rialto days, childhood
friends from Fulford, York, his music tutor and mentor Dr. Francis
Jackson, previously Master of the Music at York Minster. There were
also many present from the City of York side including past Lord
Mayors, Councillors.
Altogether
it was a magnificent occasion and one which I know John really did
appreciate. I had the opportunity to have a few words with him and
he thanked me for making it all possible - since I had made the
initial nomination for this special honour.
All
I can say it that in making it all possible for John, I have realised
a long held ambition that this man and his music would be celebrated
and ackowledged by his own City of which I am very proud to be a
Freeman by hereditary right.
Peter
Stanhope. |
