The former Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Sir Ian Dudson, and his wife Lady Jane Dudson, have been awarded Freedom of Stafford Borough.

They become the latest to receive the ‘Freedom Scroll’ joining other notable recipients such as iconic war-time Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, Joe Clarke.

It is believed to be the first time a joint award has been granted and Lady Dudson said it was a "huge honour" and had “brought a tear to my eye.”

The council has powers to confer the honour on ‘persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough.’

Sir Ian was Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire from 2012-2025 and High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 2010. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in the 2025 New Year’s Honours in recognition of his dedicated service to the Crown and community.

Council Leader, Aidan Godfrey, said: “Sir Ian and Lady Dudson have given exceptional service and made outstanding contributions to the local community, organisations and charities during their long and distinguished service to Stafford Borough and the county as a whole.

“It is very rare to have a joint Freedom of the Borough - and I believe this is the first time this has been done before.”

Councillor Godfrey added that Freedom of the Borough was the highest honour that the council give to someone or an organisation.

On Tuesday (8 September), Sir Ian and Lady Dudson attended a meeting of the council to receive the award.

Councillor Jeremy Pert, leader of the opposition, said the couple had a “down to earth approach to everyone they came in touch with. They have a genuine interest in people and hugely supportive of the voluntary sector.”

The honour was bestowed in 1946 on Churchill to recognise his leadership during the war. And in 2016 local-paddler Clarke, was granted the ‘Freedom’ in front of more than 10,000 people at the Christmas Lights Switch on in Stafford after his gold medal triumph in Rio.

As well as receiving the scroll, Sir Ian and Lady Jane also signed the 126-year-old ‘Freedom of the Borough’ book.

In July, Alderman Jack Kemp, a former leader of the local authority who served more than 50 years on the borough council was granted the ‘Freedom.’

An official report to the local authority stated: ‘The Council has powers to confer Honorary Freedom of the Borough under section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972. This provides that the Council may, by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members voting thereon at a meeting specially convened for the purpose, admit to be Honorary Freeman of the Borough persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough.’

Press Release No 6327