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Thanks to Neil with the "City of York Council" for sending this to me
SCROLL OF HONOUR: Dame Judi Dench is shown the Honorary Freeman scroll at York Minster this afternoon by the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Raymond Furnell City of York Press Release Actress Dame Judi Honoured as Freeman Internationally-acclaimed actor Dame Judi Dench - one of York's most famous daughters - was confirmed as an Honorary Freeman of the City of York today (Saturday, July 13, 2002) in a special ceremony in the Chapter House at York Minster. Dame Judi, who won a 1999 Oscar for her portrayal of Elizabeth I in the international hit Shakespeare in Love, was made an Honorary Freeman of the city in a 20 minute ceremony, followed by a celebration lunch. Dame Judi, originally from Heworth, was voted York's 'living great' of the Millennium by the people of York in 1999. And in one recent national one poll she was voted as one of the country's most popular women - second only to the Queen. Highly-accomplished Dame Judi, who was made an OBE in 1970 and then a DBE in 1988, has spent her career picking up British and international awards for her performances on stage, film and the small screen. She is also a highly-rated and narrator. Dame Judi is one of the country's leading figures in the stage but the versatile actor also has a string of television and cinema hits to her credit including the films A Room With a View, Mrs Brown, Chocolat and this year's The Shipping News. She has also played the role of spy boss 'M' in the last three James Bond movies - her link to fellow Honorary Freeman of York, Dr John Barry, who has composed much of the Bond music over the 40-year series. Dame Judi was joined by a group of family and friends from York and across the county at today's short ceremony. She was also joined by the city's civic party, led by Lord Mayor of York Councillor David Horton, senior council officials and members of City of York Council. Dame Judi, has been honoured after being nominated by Peter Stanhope, himself a Freeman of the city. During today's ceremony, David Atkinson, town clerk for York and the council's chief executive, administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Freeman's Oath to Dame Judi. Then Dame Judi was presented with a specially-designed vellum scroll by Lord Mayor Councillor Horton, confirming the actor's status as Honorary Freeman. Dame Judi told her latest audience, "I'm delighted to be here today among so many friends for this very special occasion and I feel very honoured to have been given the Freedom of the City. I don't get to York as often as I would like, in spite of having family here, but it is very much my home. "I would like to thank the Lord Mayor and the council and everyone involved in arranging this happy occasion - and I would also like to thank Peter Stanhope for instigating this honour for Dr. John Barry and for me, and for his perseverance." Lord Mayor of York Councillor David Horton said, "I am privileged on behalf of City of York Council to have been allowed to present to Dame Judi Dench the Honorary Freedom of the City of York. "I know full well the high regard in which Dame Judi is held by the citizens of York. This is an honour richly deserved by an artist who commands both nationally and internationally the greatest respect for her talent." City of York Council agreed to honour Dame Judi Dench, Mr Barry and local Civic Trust activist John Shannon with Honorary Freemen status at a meeting of the full council in November. Mr Shannon CBE, received his Honorary Freeman award in a special Mansion House ceremony on March 27 and Dr Barry received his award at the Assembly Rooms last month. The rarely-made honours, given only to those who have served the city with distinction or to those with very notable links to York, are the first since The Duchess of Kent was admitted on April 22, 1989. Media Arrangements The formal ceremony for this event began at 12 noon on Saturday, July 13 within the Chapter House at York Minster. There was also a photo opportunity at 11.45am Dame Judi kindly agreed to meet the media for interviews between 1.15pm and 2.15pm at the Chapter House. This was divided up into six one-to-one, ten minute sessions. Lord Mayor of York, Councillor David Horton, was also in attendance.
Thanks to Neil from York for this information.
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