Former MP is given city's highest honour

7 hours ago

Jodie HalfordEssex

News image — Sir Bob Russell has been given Colchester City Council's highest honour to recognise his 55 years in public service

Seana Hughes/Colchester City Council Man with grey hair and glasses smiling — Sir Bob Russell has been given Colchester City Council's highest honour to recognise his 55 years in public service

A former MP who has spent 55 years serving his local community has been honoured with a special award.

Sir Bob Russell, 80, was the Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester from 1997 to 2015, having first become a councillor for the then-town in 1971.

He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Colchester at the Moot Hall in front of his family, friends and colleagues on Wednesday evening, "in recognition and appreciation of his eminent service", the city council said.

Sir Bob described it as "a very special moment" and said it was "the greatest honour the council can bestow on anybody".

Elliot Deady/BBC Bob Russell smiling at the camera, while stood next to a park with golden leaves on the ground. He has short white hair and thick framed glasses, and is wearing a black coat over a navy blue suit jacket, light blue shirt and navy tie. — Sir Bob Russell has been given Colchester City Council's highest honour to recognise his 55 years in public service

"I didn't plan this journey, it's just how events happened," he said of his long involvement with local and national government.

"I've held public office continuously for 55 years - I've been blessed with a public career which is without equalling in Colchester's public life."

In 2015, he was made High Steward of Colchester after he lost his seat as an MP - a ceremonial post which dates back to the reign of King Charles I.

Sir Bob named his proudest achievements as being involved in the creation of Highwoods Country Park, expanding Leisure World's facilities, acquiring Cymbeline Meadows, and the installation of a statue of the poet who wrote the first verse of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Sir Bob Russell Sir Bob and another man stand with a bronze statue of two women. Sir Bob is wearing a navy suit and tie, while the man on the right is in a dark anorak. The statue is green in colour and depicts two women wearing bonnets and old-fashioned dresses. — Sir Bob lists the creation of a statue commemorating Twinkle Twinkle Little Star writers Jane and Ann Taylor - who were from Colchester - as one of his highlights

Asked what he would say to his younger self now with his years of service behind him, he replied: "Colchester to me is the best place to be, but I would say that wouldn't I?

"I think it's important that wherever you live, whatever town, whatever village, whatever city you live in, that you have pride in your community, you have pride in its history."