Former Yorkshire Coast councillor Helen Swiers awarded Honorary Alderman title

From left, Peter Sowray MBE, Helen Swiers, Jill McMullon (representing John Blackie) and Cliff Trotter, who were in attendance at yesterday’s extraordinary meeting.

The position of Honorary Alderman has parity of status with a past Mayor, enabling those who receive the title to be invited to the same civic functions and events.

Yorkshire Coast councillor Helen Swiers, was among those who received the honour.

Mrs Swiers, a Conservative who, from 2001 to 2022, represented Scalby and the Coast, the Esk Valley division and latterly Filey, served as council chair in 2017.

She said: “It has been a privilege to serve the people of North Yorkshire and I wish the new North Yorkshire Council every success in its future endeavors.”

Also among those elected at an extraordinary meeting of North Yorkshire County Council on Wednesday, November 16 was long-serving Yorkshire Dales councillor John Blackie, who was honoured posthumously following 22 years of continuous service up until his death in July 2019.

He was a passionate campaigner for the remote Upper Dales communities having set up the Upper Wensleydale Community Office in Hawes.

Four further former councillors were elected as retiring members including Val Arnold, a Conservative who represented the Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside ward from 2001 to 2022, Caroline Patmore, a Conservative who represented the Stillington ward from 1997 to 2022, Peter Sowray MBE, a Conservative who represented Easingwold from 1989 to 2022 and Cliff Trotter, a Conservative who represented Pannal and Lower Wharfedale from 1997 to 2022.

North Yorkshire County Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “With a combined service of almost 150 years, these six councillors have spent a major part of their lives working to champion their local communities and causes close to their hearts.

“John Blackie’s legacy lives on in the Upper Dales and in the minds of myself and other councillors who had the privilege of working alongside him.

"He worked tirelessly to ensure that local services continue to be delivered despite the pressures that rural communities face.

“It's testament to their drive and commitment as ward councillors that the retiring members have been awarded Honorary Aldermen titles.”

Following the death of chairman Cllr Margaret Atkinson over the weekend, certificates of office for the new Honorary Alderman were presented by Cllr David Ireton, who was deputy chairman.