Aldermen and Freemen
The Council has the power to award honours to persons or groups who are judged to have performed service of particular merit to the Borough or Council.
The honours are awarded by a resolution agreed by at least two-thirds of the Council and will commonly be presented to the recipients at a brief ceremony as part of a meeting of full Council.
Honorary Freemen of the Borough
The title of Honorary Freeman is the highest honour that a Borough Council can bestow. The position is intended to recognise persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the borough.
The title of Freeman traces its roots back to individuals who were granted special rights or privileges by a royal town or borough.
Today, the grant of Freedom of the Borough confers no additional rights, but is intended purely as a mark of honour for the recipient.
The title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead has been awarded to the following individuals in the years listed:
| Year conferred | Name |
|---|---|
| 2007 | ORMEROD, Michael Geikie BSc PhD |
| 1995 | SMITH, Norman C. |
| 1988 | CROWE, Lt. Col. Ernest A. |
Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen of the Borough
The title of Honorary Alderman or Alderwoman may be conferred upon persons who have, in the opinion of the council, rendered eminent services as past members of that Council, but who are not currently serving as members of that Council.
The title is based upon the historic tradition of Aldermen, who were appointed to serve as advisors to the Council on the basis of their experience or expertise.
The position of Honorary Aldermen today is intended purely as a mark of honour and bearers have no formal duties, but will frequently attend and take part in civic ceremonies.
The title of Honorary Aldermen of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead has been awarded to the following individuals in the years listed:
| Year conferred | Name |
|---|---|
| 2020 | ROSS-TOMLIN, Dorothy Ann MCIPS |
| 2020 | SELBY, Michael |
| 2017 | COWLE, Brian Christopher |
| 2015 | MEECH, John Alastair FInst. SIMM |
| 2015 | NORMAN, Graham Leslie |
| 2008 | GATES, Stanley Albert |
| 2006 | LYNDON MORGAN, John Vincent MA(Oxon) |
| 2006 | PREVETT, John H. |
| 2001 | HORSFALL, Penelope S JP BSc(Soc) GIPM |
| 2001 | JUPP, Doreen E. |
| 2001 | JUPP, Walter A. |
| 2001 | WALLER, Mary A. |
| 2001 | WALLER, Edgar H. |
| 1996 | DUNSMORE, Erica G.L. |
| 1996 | ADAMS, Lt. Cdr. Maurice S. |
| 1994 | CURTIS, Thomas |
| 1994 | WHITE, Ronald L.R. |
| 1988 | GOVER, Thomas R. |
| 1988 | McCALMAN, Hugh A. |
| 1983 | PEARCE, Elliot A.C. |
| 1979 | SEARLE, George H. |
Freedom of the Borough
The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (Queen’s and Royal Hampshires).
Freedom of the Borough may be granted by a Borough Council to honour a unit of Her Majesty’s Forces which has granted conspicuous service and which is closely associated with the borough.
The Queen's Regiment was granted the Freedom of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead upon its formation, in keeping with its incorporation of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment, which had previously held the Freedom of the Borough of Reigate.
This Freedom was then passed on to the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment when it was formed by the amalgamation of the Queen's Regiment and the Royal Hampshire Regiment.
The Freedom of the Borough grants the Regiment the right of 'marching through the town with Colours flying and Drums beating', which it has exercised on a number of ceremonial occasions.