At a ceremony held at Haltwhistle Methodist Church on 21st November 2023, Tynedale Rugby Club Life Member John Malcolm Clark (Clanky) was granted Freedom of the Town in recognition of 50 years dedicated service to the council and the Tyne Valley community.

John has served on Haltwhistle Town Council for 50 years since he was first elected in 1973. John also represented Haltwhistle on Tynedale District Council for 18 years and was made an Honorary Alderman for his services to Tynedale. He was Chairman of the Policy and Resources and the Housing Committee.

John began working in Haltwhistle in 1967 for the firm of J M Clark & Partners as a Land Agent, working on many Estates over the north of England and in Scotland. The family firm started in Haltwhistle in 1847. John’s family gifted to the town the land, which is now known as Coronation Park.

John’s godfather was Douglas Smith, who founded Smith & Walton Paint Works, which for many years was the major employer in Haltwhistle. John has served on the Smith Trust for over 40 years and over the years they have given many donations into Haltwhistle and the surrounding area such as the very generous £50k we received for providing the gym equipment at the new Leisure Centre.

John played cricket for Haltwhistle for many years and, he was made a vice-president of the West Tyne League for his services to junior cricket. Many people in Haltwhistle would go to Featherstone to play and watch cricket in what was always a great day out.

John’s other great interest is Rugby where he played for Tynedale Rugby Club for many years. He took on the administration and training of the Colts Team and ran the team for over 30 years. He would drive miles collecting the players from their homes and taking them down to training on a Thursday evening and to matches on a Saturday.

He has made many friends in Rugby circles and his commitment and dedication to Junior Rugby is legendary throughout Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. John was made a Life Member of Tynedale Rugby Club in 1980 in recognition of his immense contribution to Tynedale Rugby Club and the sport of rugby.