The leader of a Gloucestershire-based heating and facilities management firm has been formally made a Freeman of Gloucester.
CEO of Hewer, Simon Hewer, has sworn an oath to the city in a ceremony, conducted by the Mayor of Gloucester. The event saw Simon receive the honourable title, which traces its origins back centuries.
Simon said: 'I'm deeply honoured to be granted the title of Freeman of Gloucester, a right earned with courage by my great, great, great grandfather during the Siege of Gloucester and a legacy I’m proud to carry forward.'
The title of Freeman comes with certain ceremonial rights – most notably, the ancient yet somewhat quirky privilege to graze sheep on common land in and around Gloucester.
And while Simon's yet to exercise this perk, his colleagues at Hewer joke that they're keeping an eye on the office car park.
Hewer is a well-established provider of building maintenance and facilities services across Gloucestershire and beyond.
Taking to social media to share the news, the Hewer team said they are 'incredibly proud of Simon for continuing a legacy of dedication to Gloucester'.
This Freeman honour highlights the enduring connection between Gloucester's past and present.
