A BUSINESSMAN who has been involved in almost every aspect of public life in Richmond over the past 50 years is to be awarded the Freedom of the town.

John Blenkiron, who founded John Blenkiron and Sons Funeral Directors in 1967, will receive the honour at a ceremony at Richmond Town Hall on Wednesday.

Mr Blenkiron, who is one of only four people to receive the honour in the past 15 years, has been recognised for his work in the community.

Now 80, Mr Blenkiron was brought up in Reeth, where he trained as a joiner, before eventually founding his own business as a funeral director in Richmond, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

After marrying his wife, Christine, in 1960, four sons, Michael, James, John and Richard, and a daughter, Sarah, were born.

Over the past 50 years, Mr Blenkiron served 12 years on Richmond Town Council, including a term as mayor in 1992-93, and was also a founding member of the Swaledale British Legion, of which he was chairman for 25 years.

He has also been the Master of the Fellmongers, spent 37 years on the Parochial Church Council and 16 years as a church warden at St Mary’s, in Richmond.

Mr Blenkiron is a warden of the Mercers and Haberdashers, Master of Lennox Lodge and Master of the Dales Lodge.

He is also an active member of The Friends of The Friary Hospital, two almshouses committees and is the longest serving member of the Rotary Club.

He said: “It’s a tremendous honour to be given the freedom of the town and I can’t really get to grips with it yet. I’m sure there are more deserving people than me.

“I don’t want any privileges except the honour of the title – I haven’t got any sheep so I won’t be driving any through the town.

“Without my wife, I could not have done any of it. She has been right behind me whatever I wanted to do.”

Coun David Gillson, Mayor of Richmond, said: “Not only has John built a well-respected business in the town, but he has been a generous contributor to our community here in Richmond for many years.

“It is absolutely appropriate that the council has voted unanimously to award the Freedom of the Town of Richmond to John in recognition of his generosity in so many different ways over so many years.”

The Freedom Ceremony will take place in Richmond Town Hall from 7.30pm on Wednesday.