Freemen of Armthorpe
Haydn Griffiths, MBE, who became the first Honorary Freeman of the Parish of Armthorpe
on 11th December 2010.
At a Special Meeting of Armthorpe Parish Council held on 20th July 2010, it unanimously resolved to approve the proposal by the Chairman, Councillor S.A. Pickles, to nominate Mr. Haydn Griffiths, MBE, to the Office of Freeman of the Parish of Armthorpe, on the grounds that, in the opinion of the Council, Mr. Griffiths is a person of distinction and one who has rendered eminent services to Armthorpe in particular (and the Borough of Doncaster in general).
The Council resolution included recognition of Mr. Griffiths’ voluntary service for over forty-six years to the Armthorpe Elmfield Junior and Senior Bands as their Musical Director, with all that this entails in undertaking rehearsals, compiling musical arrangements, directing at concerts and other public events, etc. It also acknowledged his thirty-nine years long service for teaching music to children in local schools and raising thousands of pounds for the Band, local charities and other worthwhile causes.
On 11th December 2010 with the unanimous approval of the Council, Mr. Haydn Griffiths, MBE, was admitted as the first Honorary Freeman of the Parish of Armthorpe. The Chairman of the meeting, Councillor J.R. Armstrong presented Mr. Griffiths with a formal illuminated scroll that conferred his Award, a hallmarked silver scroll holder and stand, together with a specially manufactured silver tie pin/badge. Mr. Griffiths accepted the Award with grace and gave a speech stating (amongst other things) he was proud to accept it and that he felt it was the ultimate accolade.