November 29th, 2019.


Seaford Town Council has awarded Keith Blackburn the Freedom of the Town. By invitation of the Mayor, Cllr Nazish Adil, a Service was held last Saturday, the 23rd of November, at St Leonard’s Church, to honour and present to Mr Blackburn, a Freedom of the Town Medal and Scroll. The Ceremony was a celebration of his dedication and service to the town. The Service was led by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev’d Arwen Folkes and Rev’d Paul Owen.

Invited guests included the Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mrs Juliet Smith JP; The High Sheriff of East Sussex, Mrs Violet Hancock and her husband Mr Tim Hancock; the Sergeant at Mace, Mr Peter White; Honorary Freeman of the Town ,Mr Laurie Holland ; Young Mayor James Jenkins; Deputy Young Mayor Chanel Pritchard; The Town Clerk, James Corrigan, past Mayor’s, councillors, colleagues and friends and family.

A buffet reception was held following the Service at The View at Seaford Head, where the ‘Pop Up’s’ provided entertainment.

The Town Council awards the honour of Freedom of the Town to a person in recognition of the efforts of members of the community who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the well-being of Seaford. The Town Council only does this in special circumstances that meet the criteria within its adopted policy, by awarding to an individual the title of Honorary Freeman/Freewoman of Seaford. This honour is awarded only on rare and exceptional occasions.

Keith joins this esteemed group of people who include current Freeman of the Town, Mr. Laurie Holland, the late Don Mabey MBE, who were both awarded in 2012; the 210 (Sussex) Field Squadron RE (TA) awarded in 1959; The Duke of Richmond and the Rt Hon William Pitt (The Younger) in 1789.

Keith has dedicated hundreds of hours of voluntary time to helping make Seaford a greener and more pleasant town to live in. He is Chairman of the Tree Wardens, which has included ‘hands on’ tree planting of more than 1400 trees, interreacting with businesses and community groups, individuals and Seaford Town Council, fundraising and organising and participating in public meetings.

He was a key catalyst in developing, commissioning and handing over control of the much loved Shoal Bench near Splash Point. Keith has also been the Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering group, which aims to protect greenfield sites and decide where new housing can be built. This has ensured that brownfield sites have been identified. It will also ensure that Seaford receives 10% more Community Interest Levy (CIL) funding, which is worth tens of thousands of pounds to the town. Keith is also Chair of the Natural History Society, and a Board Member of Impact Seaford.

Keith said: "It is a great honour to be a Freeman of Seaford, especially as it is a recognition of the value of volunteers working closely on projects with the Town Council. A lot can be achieved by partnership working"


Keith can be contacted at keithblackburn@live.co.uk by volunteers with secretarial, IT, project management, financial or practical skills to help with projects to make Seaford an even better place to live, work and relax.


Pictured above: left to right: Rev’d Arwen Folkes, Cllr Olivia Honeyman Mayor’s consort, Mrs Violet Hancock High Sheriff, Cllr Nazish Adil Mayor of Seaford, James Corrigan Town Clerk, Mrs Juliet Smith JP Dept Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mr Peter White Sergeant at Mace, James Jenkins Young Mayor, Mr Keith Blackburn Freeman of the Town, Mrs Holland, Mrs Kay Blackburn, Rev’d Paul Owen, Mr Laurie Holland Freeman of the Town.

Image by Chris Conil.