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FORMER ARCHDEACON OF SOUTHWARK RECEIVES FREEDOM OF SOUTHWARK BOROUGH

13 May 2004

The Ven. Douglas Bartles-Smith, the former Archdeacon of Southwark, has been given the Freedom of Southwark Borough by Southwark Council for services to the people of Southwark. The Freedom of the Borough was bestowed upon him on Saturday 8 May in St George's Cathedral. This is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a citizen of the Borough and means that they have been officially 'adopted' as a Southwark citizen, although it has no rights attached to it.

Nominating him for the award, Borough Councillors James Gurling and Robert Smeath, spoke of his enormous contribution to the people of the Borough through his work with the Church Urban Fund; the Southwark and London Diocesan Housing Association, of which he was Chair and which he helped to transform and as a member on Southwark Council's Education Committee and Leisure Committee and its successor - the Scrutiny Committee. He also recently chaired the Schools Organisation Committee for Southwark.

As his citation says, he strongly encouraged the churches to be more involved in the regeneration of their area for the benefit of local people, especially through community work.

In his acceptance speech, Douglas Bartles-Smith spoke of the need for pressure to be brought to bear on the majority of people who are affluent and government to cause them not to forget those who live in poverty and on the margins.

Douglas Bartles-Smith retired as Archdeacon of Southwark at the beginning of 2004 and now lives in his native Shrewsbury. He says that he is delighted to have been honoured in this way and to have a permanent link with Southwark where he spent most of his ministry.

On hearing of Douglas Bartles-Smith's award, The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Rev Dr Tom Butler said: "It was a pleasure to support Douglas Bartles-Smith as he was given the Freedom of Southwark Borough. His work in the area over many years did much to transform it and to see that those who live on the margins were not forgotten. This honour is well deserved."

Ends.

For further information contact: 

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
Mobile: 07831-694021
Fax: 020-7939 9468