Retired police officer Graham Jennings says he will treasure being an Honorary Freeman of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn for the "rest of my life".

The town council responded with applause after they unanimously supported the recommendation to award Graham with the prestigious honorary title for his "outstanding" service to the Newtown area.

The former PCSO retired this summer after his decades-long service in the Dyfed-Powys and South Wales police force areas. The honour recognises not only Graham's extraordinary career but also his lasting impact on the Newtown community.

"I’ve enjoyed every second and I feel very honoured," he told councillors at a special meeting on Monday evening (September 25) before leaving for a karate lesson. 

"I will treasure it for the rest of my life. Thank you."

County Times: PCSO Graham Jennings during his last week in work before retiring.

Graham joins an exclusive group which includes serial fundraiser Rory Evans who received the honour by the town council in March, and the late historian David Pugh who was posthumously recognised in 2017.

Mayor John Bryne told councillors that he was “delighted” to propose the recommendation which was, by “great pleasure”, seconded by Cllr Richard White.

"I first met Graham 20 years ago when I first moved to Newtown," the Mayor said. 

"I can only say what a true gent Graham is, and his dedication to the profession he recently retired from only demonstrates how well respected he is by all in the community.

"It’s clear that Graham was and continues to be an excellent representative on behalf of the town and its citizens."

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Graham served as a police officer for 12 years with South Wales Police then as a custody detention officer at Newtown police station in 2004 before taking on the role as a PCSO in 2006.

He received a divisional commander’s commendation relating to a serious firearms incident, and in 2016 was awarded a Chief Constable’s commendation for acting as a first responder to a fatality in Newtown.

Earlier this year he was recognised for his decades of public service after being nominated with a Lifetime Achievement Award finalist at the National PCSO Awards.

Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council said the honour “is purely and simply a recognition of merit”. To become a freeman or freewoman, they must be a "person of distinction" or have "rendered eminent service" to the town.