A 100-year-old former Buckley councillor has been made the first Freeman of the town to recognise his exceptional service to the area.

John Thornton served as mayor of Buckley three times and spent 54 years as a councillor. He is the first Freeman of Buckley Town and was installed in a ceremony at the council chamber on Tuesday, October 24.

Mr Thornton was nominated for the award by Cllr Arnold Woolley, approved by councillors, to recognise his work in the town.

Mr Thornton was presented with the award by Rt. Hon. Lord Barry Jones PC during the ceremony, where former and current councillors came together to give testimonials to the centenarian, also raising a toast.

Lord Jones said: “I have a great honour to hand this wonderful, well it’s a testimonial to service, civic service, of the highest order by you for your people here in this wonderful town, the nicest people imaginable I find, so I congratulate you sir, and wish you well with the Freedom of this town.”

Mr Thornton, who was originally from Blackpool, came to the area during the Second World War. The veteran joined the RAF in 1941 at the age of 18 and was part of the Burma campaign in southeast Asia, also spending time as a Japanese prisoner of war.

He said: “I’m very fond of Buckley even though I was born in Blackpool.”

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Mr Thornton's work in Buckley includes his involvement with the development of the Jubilee Court Community Centre, and his work while he served as mayor means that the centre is going strong. Pensioners have a place to socialise and can go on day trips, holidays, have dinners, and play bingo.

He said: “That’s what I’m proud of.”

A surprise party was even held at Jubilee Court earlier this year for his 100th birthday where dozens of residents turned up to celebrate.

Mr Thornton is still involved with the community centre, and for his birthday was also pleased to get his card from the King and Queen.  

Councillors praised not just his service to the town by councillors at the ceremony, but also his age, with discussions about how he had recently been up a ladder to decorate his daughter’s bedroom!

Mr Thornton added: “I’m the first to have the Freedom of Buckley and I’m very proud of it. I’m proud of getting to 100 really as well!”