Citations for Hungerford Freedom of the Town Recipients on Sunday 6 October 2024 in Hungerford Town Hall, presented by Deputy Lieutenant for Berkshire, Willie Hartley Russell and The Mayor of Hungerford, Helen Simpson.

Tim and Sandie Crouter 

In 1994 Tim Crouter took over as Musical Director of Hungerford Town Band. Sandie joined the band in the couple of years proceeding this and between them they have been leading the band ever since. It is particularly fitting that we should be awarding them both today as 2024 marks their 30 years of service to the band – an amazing achievement.

Tim rebuilt the band following a split from the previous musical director. This included a training band for local children, some of which are still in the band today.

Tim offers tutoring for brass and woodwind instruments within the local primary school and other local schools along with private tuition.

Sandy joined the band and along the way has taken on many responsibilities including treasurer, band librarian, engagement secretary and concert organiser. She also supports Tim with the Junior band and with tuition where needed.

Tim and Sandie’s dedication to youth development is evident through the junior training band which meets weekly and performs regularly at concerts.

Without their unwavering support and enthusiasm, the band would not have survived and be in the strong position it is within the Town and in the rankings in the UK Brass Band world today, leading them to national contest success.

They also contribute to key local events like the Mayor’s Carol Concert, Remembrance Day Parade and Poppy Concert, and have been involved with the D-Day Commemorations, Queens birthday and jubilee celebrations. We are extremely thankful for the countless hours of their time they commit to the band and local community.

Barbara Barr

Barbara was a long-serving Trustee to the Town & Manor and in 2007 became the first female Constable in the 500 year history of the charity, shattering long-standing gender barriers.

Her achievements include fundraising for the fire station, the swimming pool, cricket pavilion and many other causes. She was also an active member of the United Reformed Church and was responsible for starting the Junior Church.

As well as her involvement with the Tutti Pole restaurant, she was president of the Town Band for three years, St John’s ambulance cadets for around 20 years and Chairman of the Ladybird Mother and Toddler group.

Her dedicated commitment to the town over many years includes teaching at John O’Gaunt School for over 25 years.

She was a stalwart supporter of Hocktide. Barbara organised the Tutti girls each year for Hocktide, firstly at school and after retiring by liaising with school on behalf of Town & Manor. Barbara did this for 23 years.

Barbara designed and made costumes for the Town Pantomime for three years.

She has served on the Camburn Educational Foundation and was Chairman for a period.

Despite health issues she worked on matters related to the platinum jubilee and was a committee member for the diamond jubilee, previously having been on the committee organising the Queens silver jubilee celebrations.

Barbara’s unwavering commitment and contribution to the community is simply outstanding.

Susan Mayes

In 1988, when Susan moved to Hungerford, she was an Art and Textile teacher in Calne. Her skills were rapidly put to work, making costumes for the historical community play “1688: The Hungerford Connection”. These skills are evident today as Susan created many of the panels in the Hungerford Millennium Embroidery, and it would be hard to count the amount of event bunting that has been churned out of her trusty sewing machine! Quite a lot of this bunting was used by Chilton Foliat Primary School, where Susan was head of the Parents Association for six years.

Cancer took its toll on Susan’s family and so she became an active committee member and then treasurer of the Hungerford Friends of Cancer Research. Although this group is no more, Susan continues her fund-raising within a group that organises dolls house sales and auctions, which each year raises thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK. The latter is also a labour of love, as Susan is a keen collector of dolls-houses, antique toyshops and other curios, which is why she can often be found browsing and helping out, in the Hungerford Arcade.

The arts are in Susan’s blood, so in 2017, working with Tony Drewer-Trump, she played a major role in designing and delivering the Hungerford Art Trial. She also supported HADCAF, persuading schools to participate, and helping to set-up exhibitions of students’ artwork.

Susan was a very enthusiastic and practical member of the committee for Hungerford’s 80th D-Day Commemoration Weekend. She designed and delivered the ration card tour of the town and the children’s craft activities that captivated and included a younger generation in the event.

On a weekly basis, Susan is perhaps most noticeable in her Smarten Up Hungerford tabard, working in the team of volunteers that plants and maintains Hungerford’s beautiful floral displays; as well as collecting litter, and other disgusting items, strewn about our town.

In between looking after her grandchildren, Susan will soon be embarking on her annual poppy collecting for the British Legion.