Skip to main content

Bid to make Cockermouth's Ben Stokes a Freeman of Allerdale

Jonathan Irving

Jonathan Irving

Posted on 19 September 2019

Cricket superstar and World Cup winner Ben Stokes will be made a Freeman of the Borough if Allerdale councillors back a motion to bestow the honour on the west Cumbrian hero.

The motion has been put forward by Cllr Paul Scott in recognition of the cricketer’s achievements this summer.


Mr Stokes grew up in Cockermouth after moving to the town from New Zealand at the age of 12 when his father Gerard was appointed head coach of Workington Town Rugby League Club. He attended Cockermouth School and played cricket for Cockermouth Cricket Club, winning the North Lancashire & Cumbria Cricket League Premier Division title with the club as a 15-year-old in 2006.


As well as holding a number of cricketing records, the sportsman played a pivotal role in helping England win the Cricket World Cup in July and was the star England performer in the Ashes series this summer, helping the country to a 2-2 draw against rivals Australia.


Cllr Scott, who is also Executive member for transformation, said:

“I would like to propose that Allerdale Borough Council acknowledges the performance of one of its own. Ben Stokes has worked tirelessly in his career and put Cockermouth on the map with his dedication and commitment.


“More so with his performance in the second match of the present Ashes series, Ben secured the third test for England with a workman-like batting performance and again secured player of the match.


“I firmly believe this year belongs to Ben Stokes and his performances will no doubt have inspired a new generation of sporting stars from west Cumbria and beyond.”


The motion calls on councillors to approve an extraordinary meeting of the council to award Mr Stokes with the position of Freeman of the Borough. Councillors will vote on the motion at the next full council meeting on Wednesday, September 25.


Other people who have been honoured in the past include Lord Campbell-Savours, Bill Lowther and Malcolm Wilson.