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Image source, Seana Hughes/Colchester City Council Image caption, Sir Bob Russell has been given Colchester City Council's highest honour to recognise his 55 years in public service By Jodie Halford Essex A former MP who has spent 55 years serving his local community has been honoured with a special award. Sir Bob Russell, 80, was the Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester from 1997 to 2015, having first become a councillor for the then-town in 1971. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Colchester at the Moot Hall in front of his family, friends and colleagues on Wednesday evening, "in recognition and appreciation of his eminent service", the city council said.
Sir Bob described it as "a very special moment" and said it was "the greatest honour the council can bestow on anybody". Image source, Elliot Deady/BBC Image caption, Sir Bob Russell has been given Colchester City Council's highest honour to recognise his 55 years in public service "I didn't plan this journey, it's just how events happened," he said of his long involvement with local and national government. "I've held public office continuously for 55 years - I've been blessed with a public career which is without equalling in Colchester's public life." In 2015, he was made High Steward of Colchester after he lost his seat as an MP - a ceremonial post which dates back to the reign of King Charles I.
Sir Bob named his proudest achievements as being involved in the creation of Highwoods Country Park, expanding Leisure World's facilities, acquiring Cymbeline Meadows, and the installation of a statue of the poet who wrote the first verse of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star . Image source, Sir Bob Russell Image caption, Sir Bob lists the creation of a statue commemorating Twinkle Twinkle Little Star writers Jane and Ann Taylor - who were from Colchester - as one of his highlights Asked what he would say to his younger self now with his years of service behind him, he replied: "Colchester to me is the best place to be, but I would say that wouldn't I? "I think it's important that wherever you live, whatever town, whatever village, whatever city you live in, that you have pride in your community, you have pride in its history." Do you have a story suggestion for Essex?
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Source: BBC
