Councillor Geoffrey Evans MBE Awarded Freedom of the Town in Recognition of his Fifty Years of Service.

Falmouth Town Council Awards Freedom of the Town to Councillor Geoffrey Evans MBE

At the end of last year, Falmouth Town Council was delighted to award the Freedom of the Town to Councillor Geoffrey Evans MBE in recognition of his 50 years of service to Falmouth and its community. The award was presented at a low-key lunch at the Greenbank Hotel in January, attended by the Town Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the Mayor’s secretary, Valerie Rogers, representing Town Clerk Mark Williams.

A Lifetime Dedicated to Falmouth

Born and raised in Falmouth, Councillor Evans has devoted his entire working life to the town. While working at the Docks, he was first elected as a Town Councillor in 1974 and has since become one of Falmouth’s longest-serving public figures. He holds the record for being Mayor 12 times, more than any other individual in Falmouth’s history, and he also served as a Cornwall Councillor for many years.

Contributions to the Arts and Education

Beyond the Council Chamber, Councillor Evans has also made significant contributions to education and the arts in Falmouth. He served as a school governor at King Charles, Marlborough, and Beacon (now Falmouth Primary) schools, serving as Chairman during each of his tenures. His passion for culture also led to the creation of Falmouth Art Gallery. In the early 1970s, he proposed using a room in the council chamber to display artwork, giving the public access to works from the town’s art collection that they otherwise wouldn’t see. This vision became a reality in 1978, with the opening of what is now one of Cornwall’s leading cultural institutions.

Recognised by H M Queen Elizabeth II

In 2018, he was recognised with an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II, whom he first met as Mayor when she visited Falmouth in 1977 as part of her Silver Jubilee. Over the years, they crossed paths several more times, often sharing conversations about their mutual love of horses and horse racing.

A Well-Deserved Honour

The Freedom of the Town was presented to Councillor Evans on behalf of Falmouth Town Council and the people of Falmouth by Town Mayor, Councillor Alan Rowe and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Louise Coley, who expressed their deep appreciation for his extraordinary dedication. They acknowledged that his unwavering service has shaped Falmouth’s governance and cultural landscape.

“This is an incredibly well-deserved recognition of Geoffrey’s service,” said Councillor Rowe. “His lifelong commitment to Falmouth and his unparalleled record as Mayor have made him a cornerstone of our community. Falmouth Town Council are extremely proud to present him with the Freedom of the Town, an honour that truly reflects Geoffey’s dedication to Falmouth’s growth and spirit.”