Reverend Canon Darren Barlow, Team Rector of Grays Thurrock Team Ministry, has been given Freedom of the Borough, the highest award Thurrock Council can give.
Revd Barlow received the honour at a special ceremony which took place in the Town Hall Council Chamber yesterday evening (Wednesday 31 January 2024). It was awarded in recognition of the outstanding contribution he has made to the borough.
He took on the role of Chaplin to the Mayor of Thurrock in 2010. Revd Canon Barlow is a familiar face and voice to councillors, starting each full Council meeting with a reading and a prayer.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "Revd Canon Barlow has not only served as a calm and supportive voice at all full Council meetings, offering guidance and grounding to myself and many other Leaders and councillors over the years.
"We also want to recognise the excellent work with the borough’s communities through his role in Grays Thurrock Team Ministry.
"This is the highest honour we can award, and I know that all 49 councillors could not have been more supportive of it being bestowed on Revd Canon Barlow."
The nomination to award Revd Canon Barlow Freedom of the borough was made by Cllr James Halden last October. He said: "The church of England is often said to have three core beliefs: scripture, reason and traditions. He certainly knows his scripture, he has offered tremendous reason to a grateful borough, and he has defended tradition with poise and dignity for a great number of very, very fortunate mayors."
Photo below: Revd Canon Darren Barlow receives the Freedom of the Borough Award from the Mayor of Thurrock.
