REIGNING snooker world champion Mark Williams MBE will be officially presented with the freedom of Blaenau Gwent next month.
The Cwm native was chosen to be the first sportsman to receive the honour following calls led by local councillors.
A ceremony will take place at the Civic Centre in Ebbw Vale on March 14, just weeks before he looks to defend his title at the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield.
Upon becoming the oldest world champion at the age of 43 last year, Mr Williams memorably stripped down to just a towel to attend his victory press conference.
Mr Williams also won world titles in 2000 and 2003 and is one of only three players to achieve the Triple Crown – winning the UK and World championships and the Masters – in a single season.
The campaign for Mr Williams to receive the honour started days after his most recent win, with Cllrs Hedley McCarthy and Gareth Leslie Davies submitting formal requests to the local authority.
READ MORE: World snooker triple champion Mark Williams to receive freedom of Blaenau Gwent
A freedom of the borough cross-party working group was ‘hastily convened’ by current council leader, Nigel Daniels, and the request was unanimously approved by councillors.
Cllr Davies, who represents Cwm as an elected member for Plaid Cymru, said last May that it was an ‘honour’ to bestow the title to Mr Williams.
“I look forward to him picking up the honour and I hope he’s fully dressed,” he added.
Councillor Derrick Bevan, the Labour ward member for Cwm, described the honour as ‘well-deserved’.
Mr Williams will become the 10th recipient of the honour after the likes of former Blaenau Gwent MP and Labour leader Michael Foot.
Other recipients include Idris Pope BEM JP, David Ronald Evans MBE JP, the Blaina firefighters, John C.J. Tunley BA, W.D.R. Herbert MBE, R. Leadbeter OBE, the Royal Welsh Regiment and Company Sergeant Major John Henry Williams VC, DCM, MM and Bar – Medaille Militaire.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here