A DEDICATED charity worker who has devoted her life to helping others is the first person to be awarded the Freedom of the City.
Freda Mountain, who has also been a Liberal Democrat councillor for Goat Hall ward for 26 years, was presented with the honorary award last Wednesday at a full council meeting.
Ms Mountain first knew she was to receive the award last summer, but the council wanted to wait until it was in its newly refurbished chamber before the ceremony took place.
"It came as a complete surprise – to my astonishment on the agenda, there was a recommendation for me to be given Freedom of the City," she said.
"Historically, people granted freedom of the borough were able to drive sheep over a bridge but today it couldn't happen due to health and safety aspects.
"Someone said I could have a sword too, but like the sheep it's archaic.
"The sheep I could do as long as they are plastic or helium."
Ms Mountain was given a scroll by the Mayor Trevor Miller and a bouquet from Deputy Mayor Cllr Jude Deakin.
The honour was last granted in 2007 to the late Councillor Delmas Ashford, when it was Freedom of the Borough.
Ms Mountain, who has lived in the city for 40 years with her husband John, has received praise and best wishes from her friends and constituents.
"I had so many letters and e-mails from people congratulating me, it has been absolutely wonderful," she said.
"On Wednesday evening, I had some invited guests in the gallery – it was so lovely to have a gathering of people I had been in contact with through my charity work and other organisations."
Ms Mountain was a trustee of Farleigh Hospice for 16 years, has been chairman of Age Concern Chelmsford for over 20 years, and currently acts as a trustee of Meadows Shopmobility, as well as being president of the Chelmsford Lighter Preservation Society.
She is also a member of the Galleywood Conservation Group and the Town Twinning Association.
She said: "I shall carry on doing what I am doing. It is wonderful to have been recognised, also for the people who have helped me and supported me.
"I was very, very proud."
Ian Wright, the Conservative councillor who nominated Freda, said: "It was purely because when I was mayor in 2004/5, everywhere I went I kept running across Freda – in schools, working for the elderly and so on – so I decided that somebody like that really needed to be recognised.
"I felt that it would show not only her but also all the volunteers who keep the community going that they are recognised, their hard work is worthwhile.
"She truly is quite a remarkable person – she just works her butt off for the people of Chelmsford."
