Middle East crisis delays Calderdale couple receiving borough's top honour
Dedicated, philanthropic service to Calderdale has seen three people achieve the borough’s highest civic honour.
But two were delayed in being presented their scrolls by the crisis in the Middle East.
Chris Harris and Colin and Gillian Greenwood have been made Honorary Freewomen and Freemen of Calderdale, with Chris receiving her award at a special ceremony at Halifax Town Hall.
Colin and Gillian were caught up in travel issues resulting from disruption to air services across the world arising from the Middle East crisis.
Guests heard they were on their way home from a break but the travel issues meant they would not be back in time for the ceremony, and they will receive their scrolls at a future event.
Mayor of Calderdale Coun Steven Leigh and leader of Calderdale Council Coun Jane Scullion both noted the award is not given out lightly or very often.
It is, said the mayor, the most significant occasion in the civic life of Calderdale, its title reflecting responsibility and respect, made for “exceptional contributions” to Calderdale life.
“It is acknowledging that which goes far beyond what duty requires,” he said.
Born and raised in Halifax, and described as a “tireless advocate” for her town and borough, Chris has devoted her life to championing its history, heritage and people.
She was the founding director of charitable grant-making organisation Community Foundation for Calderdale and helped create the Future Heroes project from 2003, which provided more than 200 young people with specialist music tuition and instruments.
She is a “driving force” behind celebrating Halifax’s heritage, guests heard, including popular tours of landmarks and sites, from The Piece Hall to the town’s “streets in the sky” above the Borough Market.
Chris said it was such a special honour to be awarded Freewomen or Freemen status in the borough, and she spoke about its, and Halifax’s, history.
The Community Foundation for Calderdale had been a “golden thread” woven through Calderdale – the borough draws so much from its voluntary and community groups, she said.
“I am overawed by what the voluntary sector do.
“I am very passionate about what they do,” said Chris.
Calderdale councillors agreed at November’s full council meeting that Chris, Gillian and Colin should receive the honour.
The last awardee was television writer, producer and director Sally Wainwright in 2020.