Joshua Denning given Freedom of the Town of Lyme Regis

Joshua Denning, 20, was granted the Honorary Freedom of the Town of Lyme Regis at a special meeting of Lyme Regis Town Council.

The town council unanimously supported the proposal to name Joshua a Freeman of the Town, acknowledging the dedication and commitment he has shown to the many local organisations he has volunteered for.

At 20, he is the youngest ever to receive this acclaim.

The mayor, Cllr Philip Evans, right, congratulates Joshua Denning on being awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Town of Lyme Regis. (Image: Lyme Regis Town Council) As previously reported, Mr Denning recently won the ITV Westcountry Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year Award for his dedication to fundraising for local organisations and events, including Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week, Lifeboat Week, Lyme Lunge, the Poppy Appeal, the annual fireworks’ display and the Lyme Regis Town Band performances on the seafront.

Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Philip Evans put Mr Denning forward for the award after he collected £50,000 for local events and organisations. 

Cllr Evans said: “Freedom of the Town is the greatest honour the council can bestow on one of its citizens and Joshua, at the age of 20, is the youngest ever to receive this acclaim.

“As a council I believe we should recognise those who go that extra mile for our town and no one has put in more miles for Lyme than this extraordinary young man.

Joshua Denning, fifth from right, is congratulated by members of Lyme Regis Town Council on being awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Town of Lyme Regis. (Image: Lyme Regis Town Council) “Josh has brought a huge amount of publicity to the town in winning the West Country Pride of Britain award for young fundraisers and we wish him every success when he goes to London for the national awards.”

The only other Lyme citizen to hold the Freedom of the Town is Phil Street, awarded for his years as town crier and work with the twinning association.

Former mayor Stan Williams, now deceased, was also a Freeman for his long service to the borough and town councils stretching back 60 years.

The town now awaits news from the Pride of Britain Awards on Monday 21 October, which Joshua will attend at Grosvenor House in London with his mum Annette.

Mr Denning is one of 17 regional winners in the Fundraiser of the Year category and will find out on the night if he has won the overall award.

This will be followed by a mayor’s reception at the Guildhall on Friday 15 November, when Joshua will receive his Freedom scroll, joined by his family and close friends.

The original concept of "Freeman" goes back to Saxon, Danish, and Norman Feudal systems of government and society. Freemen were the Burgesses of towns.