Colin and Gillian Greenwood from Calderdale have been awarded the highest honour by the Council at a special ceremony in Halifax Town Hall.
The Mayor of Calderdale, Cllr Steven Leigh MBE, granted Freedom of the Borough to the local philanthropists on behalf of the Council on Monday 20 April 2026.
Their family and friends and the Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, Steve Duncan, were there to see the Greenwoods’ extraordinary kindness being recognised.
Freedom of the Borough is the highest award that a council can bestow, and is for outstanding services to a place. The title doesn’t give any legal rights or responsibilities, but allows a ceremonial role at civic functions.
Colin and Gillian Greenwood have made generous contributions to many local projects benefiting the community. This includes over 50 grants for the arts, sport and helping people in need through food banks and other forms of support; significant contributions to the Duke of Wellington statue in The Woolshops in Halifax and the works at Halifax Minster; and investments in regenerating parts of Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.
The Mayor of Calderdale, Cllr Steven Leigh MBE, said:
“It was an honour to make Colin and Gillian Greenwood Freeman and Freewoman of the Borough. We’re proud to be kind and considerate in Calderdale, and the Greenwoods have really gone the extra mile to help our communities. Their generous efforts are truly exceptional and worthy of this official recognition, as was the tireless contribution of Chris Harris DL when I awarded her Freedom of the Borough at a Town Hall ceremony in March.”
Chris Harris DL is a former Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire – a role in which she represented the Monarch at official engagements. She is deeply involved with numerous local charities and with the Community Foundation for Calderdale as a Founder Director and Life Vice President. Chris is also part of the team running Halifax Heritage Tours, a volunteer-run organisation promoting local heritage, and is known for coining the well-known phrase, ‘Magic Halifax’.
The other most recently bestowed Freewomen of the Borough are Sally Wainwright for placing Calderdale on the international map through her acclaimed TV dramas, and Hannah Cockroft (also a former Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire) for her eminent para-athlete achievements and motivational speaking.
All recipients of the prestigious Freedom of the Borough title have pride of place on the roll of honour displayed at Halifax Town Hall.