Morwenstow Parish Council have awarded several influential members of the community with special honorary titles.

On Tuesday, December 6, Morwenstow Community Centre Committee hosted a Christmas party for the Senior Citizens of Morwenstow.

Five Senior Citizens were awarded a ‘title of dignity’ by the chairman of Morwenstow Parish Council.

These people have made exceptional and outstanding contributions to the local community, in many ways - over a period of not less than 30 years.

Morwenstow Parish Council bestowed the title of ‘Freewoman of the Parish’ to Mrs Hilary R Rogers, and the title ‘Freeman of the Parish’ to Arthur Bryant, Alan Colwill, Ralph Carthew and George Hobbs.

Among the recipients was Mr Bryant, the founder of A W Bryant Funeral Services and well known figure within the area.

Arthur holds community very close to his heart and speaking to the Post he explained how he came to serve residents of Bude.

All his working life, he had worked in funeral services, gaining an apprenticeship at an undertakers in 1949.

From there, he continued to work before expanding A W Bryant Funeral Services to Bude in 1984. Ever since, Arthur has cemented himself as an important figure within the community.

Despite now being retired, Arthur still takes great pride in the work he did at the funeral services.

He said: “It was a very rewarding experience helping the bereaved when they’re at their very lowest.”

Alongside his work, Arthur also served 34 years on Morwenstow Parish Council, continues as a bell ringer at the local church, played as part of the local football team and wrote a book about his life which he said, “sold like hot cakes”.

For Arthur, receiving this award was a great honour, he said: “This really came out of the blue, I was gob smacked when they presented it to me.

“I was very pleased, humbled and honoured to receive this from the community, and one which is so close my heart.”

Despite this honour, Arthur remains humble with all the work he has done, adding: “I didn’t think I’d done anything exceptional, I just try to help people.”

The certificates were very gratefully received by the recipients and they were thanked again for their contributions over the years to the parish.

Two further ‘Chairman’s Gonk’ awards were recognised and presented by Cornwall Council Chair Councillor Pauline Giles. This was awarded to Sue Clancy-Gear for her service to wildlife with Born to be Wild. Rev Richard Ward-Smith was also awarded for his above and beyond pastoral service, during his time as vicar of Morwenstow.