Ladies' champions could also be recognised
Wimbledon tennis champion Andy Murray is set to be given the freedom of Merton.
A full meeting of the borough council on Wednesday (July 10) agreed to start the process to award the freedom of the borough to the men's singles champion.
Councillors also agreed to look into giving the award to the following ladies' champions: Virginia Wade (1977), Anne Haydon-Jones (1969) and Angela Mortimer Barrett (1961), as well as Merton residents who have made significant contributions to the local community.
Council leader Stephen Alambritis said: "I am delighted that we have agreed to put the wheels in motion for freedom of the borough for all our Singles Champions starting with Andy Murray and then moving onto Virginia Wade and others.
"Sporting achievement connected with the borough will now feature in our thoughts for this prestigious award".
Councillor Oonagh Moulton, Merton Conservative group leader, said: "Like many other residents, I was glued to the TV and the Big Screen in Wimbledon on Sunday afternoon watching Andy Murray become the first British men's singles champion for 77 years.
"It's a tremendous achievement and particularly special because it took place right here in our Borough. I, and my Conservative colleagues, are therefore delighted that Merton will now be conferring on him its greatest honour.
"However it is only right that we take this opportunity to think about who else might also be worthy of the Freedom of the Borough. That's why Conservatives successfully pushed for the Council to consider not only other great sporting champions with a connection to Merton, such as Sophie Hosking, Virginia Wade, Ann Jones and Angela Mortimer, but also any local residents who have made a particularly significant contribution to our local community in various other spheres."
July 12, 2013
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