History was made on Thursday evening, November 18, when three men who have given many years of service to the town were made Freemen of Dover.

Former Mayor Bob Tant, retired businessman John Turnpenny and environmental campaigner Jack Woolford are the first to be accorded the honour for more than 40 years.

The ceremony took place at Dover Town Council’s offices.

Mr Tant was a local councillor for just under 30 years working for the people of the town and their interests.

Mr Turnpenny, the former owner of the furniture company in London Road which bore his name, has been a member of the Gateway Residents’ Association, Chamber of Commerce, and a Justice of the Peace,

He is regional organiser of the Old Dovorians (former pupils of Dover College) and has a long-standing commitment to local societies and interest groups, including St Mary’s Church, the Dover Society, Dover Operatic and Dramatic Society, Dover Choral Society and Calais Foire.

Dr Woolford came to Dover after the Second World War and was an adult education tutor in history for the universities of Kent and Oxford until he retired.

He became involved with the activities of the New Dover Group and then the Dover Society, serving as chairman of both.

Full story and pictures in next week's Dover Mercury.