News From The Bedford, Morison and Cordery Almshouses

After nearly 20 years as a Trustee of the Bedford Morison and Cordery Almshouses, Norman Tyrwhitt has reluctantly decided to retire, owing to ongoing health problems. His service to the almshouses has been outstanding and his wise counsel, gleaned during a lifetime of public service, will be profoundly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

As well as being a Labour councillor for 20 years, Noman served two terms as Watford’s Mayor (1979-80 and 1995-96). He is one of only 20 people to be granted the prestigious “Freedom of the Borough”, the highest honour that a borough council can bestow on a citizen who has truly excelled in their service to the community. Other VIPs granted this privilege include Elton John, Graham Taylor, Luther Blissett and Norman’s wife Mavis. More remarkably, as a result of their work in furthering the twinning of Watford with Mainz in Germany and Nanterre in France, they have also each been made a “Freeman” of those two cities. Watford is probably unique in having Freemen who actively undertake activities on behalf of the borough on a frequent basis; Norman and Mavis have carried out many civic engagements as representatives of the council, the Mayor and the Chairman.

Norman’s long-standing dedication to the local community is perfectly demonstrated by the number of offices he has held:

Chair of the League of Friends of Watford Hospital, Chair of the Governors of Garston Infant and Lea Farm Schools, Governor of Chater School, Holywell School and Laurance Haines School, and Chair of Labour's Leisure Standards Committee, Audit Committee and the Market Working Party. He has also served on the Local Education Executive, the Education Advisory Committee, and recently the East Gade Forum. Norman has also held directorships in other organisations which enhance the cultural life of the town, including The Palace Theatre and Watford Musical Heritage.

Can there be anyone who has served Watford and its citizens as diligently and faithfully as Norman Tyrwhitt? I’m sure all residents will want to join with the BMC Almshouses Trustees in wishing both Norman and Mavis the very best for the future.