REVEREND Cannon Darren Barlow, who recently moved away from Grays where he was vicar of St Peter and St Paul's Church since 2006, as well as the leader of the ministry team encompassing All Saints, Chafford Hundred, St Clement's in West Thurrock and St Mary the Virgin's Church, Little Thurrock, has been given Freedom of the Borough, the highest civic award Thurrock Council can give.

Rev Barlow, who has become Rector of St Mary's Church at Shenfield in the Brentwood Deanery where he was recently inducted, received the honour at a special ceremony which took place in the Town Hall council chamber yesterday evening (Wednesday, 31 January).

Freedom of the borough was awarded in recognition of the 'outstanding contribution he has made to the borough'.

He took on the role of chaplin to then Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Anne Cheale, in 2010 and since then became a familiar face as he served a succession of mayors, starting each full council meetings with a reading and a prayer, conducting civic events and also serving on the children's safeguarding committee. He will continue to serve as chaplain to current mayor Cllr Sue Little, who donned full civic regalia to present his with the honour last evening.

At last night's meeting Cllr Andrew Jefferies said: "Rev Barlow has served as a calm and supportive voice at all full council meetings, offering guidance and grounding to myself and many other leaders and councillors over the years.

"We also want to recognise the excellent work with the borough's communities through his role in Grays Thurrock Team Ministry.

"This is the highest honour we can award, and I know that all 49 councillors could not have been more supportive of it being bestowed on Rev Barlow."

The nomination to award Rev Barlow Freedom of the borough was made by Cllr James Halden last October.

He said: "The church of England is often said to have three core beliefs: scripture, reason and traditions. He certainly knows his scripture, he has offered tremendous reason to a grateful borough, and he has defended tradition with poise and dignity for a great number of very, very fortunate mayors."

Rev David Rollins

Rev Barlow was also Area Dean of Thurrock and has been succeeded in that by Rev David Rollins, Rector of St Mary the Virgin, Corringham and St Michael, Fobbing where he has served since 2005.