Freeman proposal fails to find favour

The proposal was presented by Malvern Town Council chairman Paul Tuthill to fellow councillors on Tuesday (December 14).

But Coun Tuthill was dismayed when his colleagues began to criticise the idea, and to save further embarrasment, he withdrew the proposal.

Mrs Merrick, who has only just retired from the town council, and who served for many years on Malvern Hills District Council, had been campaigning for a new hospital in Malvern for more than 30 years. Her efforts were vindicated a few weeks ago when the new £17 million hospital in Worcester Road opened its doors.

At Tuesday night's meeting, Coun Tuthill said: "This is not something that we should do every year, but Pat Merrick is one of those special people who really deserves this honour."

But Coun Margaret Tummey said: "I don't dispute in any way shape or form how valuable a councillor she has been, but this would open the door to people saying 'What about so-and-so?' There are an awful lot of people in Malvern who do lots of good work in the community."

Coun Caroline Bovey said: "I think a more fitting memorial would be something physically at the hospital itself."

There were also worried about the cost of the procedure, which could have ranged from £600 to £1,800 for an illuminated parchment for the occasion.

But Coun Pat Mewton supported the idea, saying: "I don't see any problem with this. It's a fitting reward. There are people who haven't doing half of what Pat's done and have got MBEs, OBEs and knighthoods."

After the meeting, Coun Tuthill said he was disappointed with the outcome.

He said: "For this sort of thing, you have to have the enthusiastic support of all the council. When it became apparent that some councillors had their reservations, I felt the best thing to do was to withdraw the suggestion."

Coun John Jordan, who also spoke in favour of the idea, said: "I'm disappointed that it was not something that was welcomed by all my fellow councillors."