Richard Farhall, Rye's town clerk for more than 26 years, has been made an Honorary Freeman of Rye, the highest honour the town council can bestow. Councillors approved the award unanimously at a special town council meeting on Monday, after a string of tributes to the man many of them described as the quiet force behind the council's work.
Proposing the nomination, Councillor Stewart said, “Richard is well known for his quiet dedication, dogged determination and wise counsel and his willingness to work nights and weekends well beyond his job description.” Councillor Stewart singled out his leading role in setting up the charity that saved the town's leisure centre and returned it to local control. Current and former councillors followed.
Several said that Richard had guided them through council procedure when they were new. Others credited him with help on affordable-housing proposals, the town steward scheme and the community garden, and with encouraging people to stand for the council in the first place. One likened his part in the leisure-centre campaign to the unglamorous team members without whom no project succeeds. Speakers also noted that his reputation stretches well beyond Rye, to neighbouring towns and the wider world of local government.
In his acceptance speech Mr Farhall observed that town clerks rarely receive such an honour. He recalled arriving in 1999 to find no handover and few staff, and learning the job as he went while studying for professional qualifications. There were lighter moments too: the day he pressed a panic button and summoned not only the police but a helicopter, and the occasions on which the mayoral chain went missing and had to be recovered. He thanked former mayors, colleagues, council staff and his wife, and offered his continued support to the council and the town. Several speakers said the honour reflected the town's collective gratitude as much as one man's achievements.
