Presented by Deputy Maurice Tippett on 4 December 1972

Past Deputy Jack Gilders....for "Long service to the Church, Community and the Liberty and for the single honour he attained in being appointed High Chief Ranger of the Ancient Order of Foresters for 1973".

Presented by Deputy Greig Staffiere in 1973

Mrs Grace Chapman....for "Her services to the community over many years".
Known affectionately as "Nurse", she was Commandant of the Brightlingsea Red Cross detachment from 1940 until she retired in 1979. During World War 2 she led her members in a variety of work, including the billeting and welfare of evacuees. In 1953 her unit combined with Clacton to assist during the East Coast floods, helping the homeless of Jaywick and Point Clear. Grace served on many local committees, including the Deputy's Christmas Gift Fund.

Presented by Deputy Greig Staffiere on 2 December 1974

Claude Dove....for "Services to the Liberty" after publication of his book "The Liberty of Brightlingsea".

Presented by Deputy Arthur Cole on 20 August 1976

John Osborn and Reg White...for "The great distinction they have brought to their country, their home town and the Liberty". This followed their winning of Olympic Gold Medals for sailing.

Presented by Deputy Derek Stephens on 4 December 1978

Alfred Lewis Wakeling....in appreciation of many years service to the Cinque Port Liberty.

His service spanned the years 1959 to 1985, during which time Alf held the offices of Keeper of the Records and Secretary of the Deputy's Christmas Gift Fund. He was a founder member of the Gild of Brightlinsea Freemen, holding the office of Secretary from 1977 to 1984.

Presented by Deputy John Pilkington on 1 December 1980

Jacque Collyer-Smith....for services to the Deputy's Christmas Gift Fund.

Given after she had been actively involved with the Deputy's Christmas Gift Fund for 16 years, since 1964. Jacque was a Lady Deputy during her husband Peter's election to Deputy in 1990.

Presented by Deputy Roger Tabor on 1 December 2014

Presented by Deputy Ted Gilders in 1983

Angela Canham....for services to the less fortunate in our community, working with the Gift Fund in providing food and comradeship on Christmas morning, for those unable to be with their families.

Presented by Deputy Edward (Ted) Sycamore
on 5 December 1988

Harold Lord....for "Value and services to Brightlingsea over many years, including Treasurership of the Christmas Gift Fund".

Presented by Deputy Peter Godden on 3 December 1990

Peter Patrick....for "Services to Brightlingsea and the community".

Presented by Deputy George Simons in the year 1994

Past Deputy Anthony (Tony) Fowler....Awarded after many years service to The Liberty, "on retiremant as Keeper of the Records".

Presented by Deputy James McClure in November 2000

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports....for "Service to the Cinque Ports and the Country".

Presented by Deputy Nobby Clark on 5 October 2002

Carole Godden....for services to the Liberty and Gift Fund.

Carole was a Lady Deputy during her husband Peter's election to Deputy in 1989.

Presented by Deputy Michael Hindley on 5 December 2005

Mike Runacres...."for services to Brightlingsea and his remarkable personal contribution in the restoration and re-roofing of Bateman's Tower. The restoration has enabled the sailing community to have continued and safe use of this historic landmark."

Presented by Deputy Anthony Morris on 3 December 2007

Brian House....for giving "immense amounts of his time and energy to ensuring that the elderly and infirm do not get forgotten..."

Presented by Deputy Doug Stone on 1 June 2008

Ruby Summers....for her long service to the youth of the Town.... "her biggest achievement has been her involvement with the Guiding movement for most of her life and Brown Owl of the 3rd Brightlingsea Brownies for 38 years."

Presented by Deputy Mike Penrose on 10 October 2009

Ann Hopkins....for services to many of the fund raising organisations within the Town.

Ann was a Lady Deputy during her husband George's election to Deputy in 2003.

Presented by Deputy Tony Spurling on 6 December 2010

Reverend Peter Baldwin OGS....for services to the Town and Liberty of Brightlingsea.

Peter was Chaplain to the Liberty from 2006 - 2011.

Presented by Deputy Tony Spurling on 6 December 2010

Past Deputy Peter Godden....for services to the Liberty as Keeper of the Records 1997-2008.

Presented by Deputy John Eaton on 5 December 2011

Graham Adams....for services to Brightlingsea in the personal project management, from commissioning to placement, of a permanent memorial at the Town Hard to Tornado Class Olympic Gold Medallist and World Champion Reg White.

Presented by Deputy John Eaton on 5 December 2011

Past Deputy Peter Collyer-Smith....for services to the Gild of Freemen as a committee member since its formation in 1977, treasurer for ten years and chairman for two years.

For services to the Deputy's Christmas Gift Fund in attending and helping to organise Christmas parties for the elderly for 41 years.

Presented by Deputy Chris Bloor on 29 October 2012

Jane Adams....for services to Brightlingsea and the Deputy's Christmas Gift Fund.

For many years she has helped organise and provide a lunch and companionship on Christmas Day for those who would otherwise be alone.

Presented by Deputy Rob Bezkorowajny on 7 December 2015

Alan Smith....For services to the Gild of Brightlingsea Freemen.

Over 20 years of organising functions and events and the printing and delivering of the Gild Newsletter, enabling the Gild support the Freemen and to raise the funds necessary to maintain the Liberty's organisation and regalia.

Presented by Deputy Tony Chapman on 19 June 2016

Margaret Stone….for services to Brightlingsea as Curator of Brightlingsea Museum and for her conception, planning and management of the ANZAC Day centenary celebrations.

Presented by Deputy Peter Beadles on 9 June 2017

Past Deputy Michael Hindley….for services to Brightlingsea as Chairman of Governors of the Colne Community School, former Chief Executive of the New Church, Chairman of Brightlingsea Museum and for services to The Liberty as past Keeper of the Records.

Presented by Deputy Peter Beadles on 4 December 2017

Past Deputy George Simons….for services to Brightlingsea as Honorary Treasurer to many charities over many years, including The Edward Sycamore Brightlingsea Fund, the Christmas Tree Festival and in particular Honorary Treasurer to The Liberty for almost eighteen years.

Presented by Deputy Mike Holding on 15 June 2018

Past Deputy Charles Herbert…For services to the Liberty as Webmaster and Keeper of the Records.

Since constructing this website in 2004, Brightlingsea's ancient and living history has been presented to a wider audience of students and history lovers over several continents through the World Wide Web.

Presented by Deputy Peter Ball on 2 December 2019

Alan (Chud) Stevens....For services to Brightlingsea and the Gild of Brightlingsea Freemen.

A long serving committee member of the Gild of Brightlingsea Freemen. His commitment to fund raising activities has enabled the financial support of the Liberty and many Brightlingsea charities. An active member of the Panto Group, he has performed both on and off stage in their many entertaining productions.

The first Town Crier of Brightlingsea, he can be seen performing his duties at many Civic Ceremonies, dressed in his spendid robes.

Presented by Deputy Frank Pomroy on 18 October 2020

Jayne Chapman…I am honoured to present you with the Deputy’s Medal of Merit, for all the amazing work you carry out for the community of Brightlingsea. This is not only in your role as the Mayor of Brightlingsea, a town councillor and Tendring District councillor, but also for all your voluntary work in the town over the years and especially all the hours you have given this year during the COVID 19 Pandemic, organising the large volunteer group to ensure the vulnerable were looked after and the help you continue to give to your community.

Presented by Deputy Frank Pomroy on 10 September 2021

Steve Houston…This Medal of Merit was given to you for your service to the community as a First Responder for the last 10 years.

Presented by Deputy Frank Pomroy on 6th December 2021

Colin Grant…For the work you have done over the years as Assistant Keeper of the Records, and this year taken on the roll as Temporary Keeper of the Records..

Presented by Deputy Mark Wilby on 5th December 2022

Peter BeadlesAs the Deputy of the Cinque Port Liberty of Brightlingsea I would like to present a medal of merit to someone who I believe is one of the most helpful, generous, likeable, charming gentlemen that I have got to know over the past few years through our Liberty group. This person became a Freeman of the Cinque Port Liberty on 16th December 1978. Born in Tankerton in Kent in 1943 this individual moved to Liverpool when he was 4 yrs old then back to Kent where he studied at Wye College. He started selling as soon as he left University and had a shop selling auto spares in Colchester. This soon developed into petrol filling stations. He then went into self catering holidays in the mediterranean and finally into cruising holidays. In 2015 he received the 'Travel Weekly' Award for Outstanding Contribution to their industry. He has been involved with many community groups over the years - was the founder member of the Rotary Group in Brightlingsea and a member of the round table. He continues to be a member of Rotary in Colchester and the Clacton Lions Club, where he has received 'a 'Paul Harris Fellowship Award' and the 'Melvin Jones' Fellowship Award' respectively. Both these awards are equivalent to the Medal of Merit award I wish to make today. He has been a school governor at a primary school in Clacton and our very own Colne School here in Brightlingsea. He has also sponsored the Colne Football College and supported many other sports organisations. Oh yes and I found out a few years ago that he supports a great football team just up the A12 in Suffolk. He is currently the Chairman of Colchester Institute Foundation Trust, a member of the RNLI Committee in Brightlingsea, a trustee of our local YMCA and was a former Deputy of our Cinque Port Liberty. His support, commitment and professionalism to the cause are second to none and therefore I would like to ask Peter Beadles to come forward and receive his medal of merit' award please.