Community champion given the keys to Cirencester (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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Community champion Aileen Calvert presented with Second Award of Honorary Freeman of Cirencester
12:52pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News By Laura Shack
Cirencester mayor Cllr Andrew Lichnowski presenting Aileen Calvert with the Second Award of Honorary Freemen of Cirencester
A CHAMPION of the community and former Cirencester mayor has become the town’s second Honorary Freeman.
Aileen Calvert may have worn robes and gold chains in her mayoral role, but that did not stop her from getting on her knees to paint racing lines in the town’s open air swimming pool.
The former town and district councillor has spent most of her life volunteering for trusts and charities, and shows no signs of stopping.
This week, Mrs Calvert was presented with the prestigious Honorary Freemen of Cirencester award.
She was the second person to receive the honour, after the late Norman Whereat MBE who received the accolade in March 2012.
Mrs Calvert, who now lives in Siddington, said she felt very proud.
"I feel this recognises the difference that volunteers make to the whole town," she said.
Mrs Calvert served as Cirencester mayor from 1992 to 1994 and was a town councillor for 29 years. She was also a Cotswold district councillor and was awarded Honorary Alderman of CDC for 16 years of service.
She has been a member of a host of charities and trusts, including Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool, the Itzehoe Twinning Association and Cirencester Housing for Young People, for which she still volunteers today.
The 86-year-old said her personal highlight was helping to forge links with the Ukraine after she decided to raise money for children suffering with leukaemia in Chernobyl.
"Because of the generosity of the Cirencester people I raised enough to keep a children’s hospital ward going with medical supplies for a year," she said. "We're still helping to this day, which is something to be proud of."
Presenting the award on Tuesday, Cirencester mayor Andrew Lichnowski said: "We are grateful for all she has achieved and for the example she has given to others."
