Share

Marilyn Jones made Honorary Townsman of Whitworth

20th of April, 2026

---

At the meeting of Whitworth Town Council on 15 January 2026, the Town Council voted to bestow the title of Honorary Townsman of Whitworth on local resident Marilyn Jones. The nomination was made by a local resident due to Marilyn’s many years of service to the community.  Marilyn was part of the team that set up Rochdale’s Soup Kitchen and as well as Whitworth’s Lighthouse Community Foodshare.  She also helps with the incredible organisation of preparing, cooking and delivering Christmas meals to those who would otherwise be on their own at Christmas – which in 2025 amounted to a phenomenal 500 people.  This brief summary however doesn’t begin to cover the number of years of volunteer work that Marilyn has dedicated to the Whitworth Community.

The first Honorary Townsman of Whitworth was Herr Oskar Böhm from Kandel, Whitworth’s twin German town, who received the award in 1980.  Marilyn is only the thirteenth recipient of the award, who have all been nominated for the award for their services to the Whitworth community.  A Roll of Honour can be found on display in the Council Chambers in the Whitworth Town Council offices at Whitworth Civic Hall (The Ashcroft).

Marilyn and invited guests held a celebratory event at The Ashcroft on Saturday 18th April.  This event was attended by the Mayors of Rossendale and Whitworth, as well as fellow Honorary Townsmen, Tom Aldred, Anita Farrow, Councillor Alan Neal and Arnold Ashworth BEM. It was fantastic to see so many people come together to celebrate Marilyn receiving the award who, in the words of the Mayor of Whitworth Councillor Janet Whitehead, is a woman with “an extraordinary generosity of spirit. She is someone who never stops giving. Her dedication is relentless. Her kindness is boundless. And her impact on this community is immeasurable.”