Freedom award for former councillor

Published: 6:30 AM May 24, 2015

Updated: 8:09 PM October 10, 2020

Adrian Gunson receives his award from Loddon Parish Council Chairman Ray Lumley - Credit: Archant

Former Norfolk county councillor Adrian Gunson has been awarded the Freedom of Loddon in recognition of the work he has done for the area.

Loddon Parish Council, which makes the award every year, decided to honour Mr Gunson after receiving a number of nominations.

He was presented with his award at this month’s council meeting by chairman Ray Lumley.

Mr Gunson, who lives in Bedingham, asked that rather than receiving the customary gift with the award, a donation of £20 be made to the Loddon Town Estate charity.

When he retired earlier this year, Mr Gunson was the longest-serving councillor in Norfolk County Council’s history after 45 years at county hall.

He served the Loddon division since 1970, and was, for many years cabinet member for planning and transportation, where he played a key role in the building of a string of bypasses around the county, while proposals for the northern distributor road were also developed under his watch.

Mr Gunson was made an MBE in 2010 for his services to local government. Professionally, he was an insurance actuary for Norwich Union and was an investment director when he retired in 1997. He also worked as an evening lecturer at Norwich City College.