Great Dawley Town Council grants Lord Kuldip Sahota and Mandie Haywood Freedom of the Town

A special ceremony, held at Dawley Town Hall, was attended by honorary guests, including the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner JP; the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Mr Brian Welti JP; the Chief Fire Officer for Shropshire, Mr Simon Hardiman; as well as Telford & Wrekin Borough Councillors and Great Dawley Town Councillors.

Lord Kuldip Sahota

Lord Sahota’s remarkable journey began when he moved to England from India and started his career at GKN Sankey, where he worked for 15 years before dedicating himself full-time to public service and politics.

He served as Borough Councillor for Telford & Wrekin’s Malinslee & Dawley Bank Ward from 2001 to 2023 and held the position of Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council from 2011 to 2016. He also served as Chair of Great Dawley Town Council from 2008 to 2011.

His commitment to the community, reflected in his attendance at meetings and events, was recognised when he was elevated to the House of Lords.

Mandie Haywood

Mandie Haywood’s career as an educational leader has left an indelible mark on the Old Park Primary School and the wider community.

Appointed as headteacher during the amalgamation of Langley St Leonards and Malinslee Primary, she spearheaded the creation of Old Park Primary School.

Project-managed the school’s new state-of-the-art building, which opened in 2008.
Advocated for innovation in education, championing creative curriculums and fostering community engagement.

Under her leadership, Old Park Primary achieved the TES Primary School of the Year Award in 2011.

Her initiatives, such as the In Harmony Project, allowed pupils to perform internationally and collaborate with professional musicians, leaving a lasting legacy.

The event was styled as an Afternoon Tea and featured performances from pupils of Old Park Primary School, a heartfelt nod to Mandie Haywood’s contributions to education. The dignitaries, family, and friends who attended were treated to light refreshments, including tea and coffee, plus refreshments for the school children.

Both honourees were presented with Freedom of the Town Scrolls and bouquets of flowers by Cllr Raj Mehta, Chair of Great Dawley Town Council, as well as the Mayor of Great Dawley, Cllr Ben Carter; and Malinslee Ward Councillor, Cllr Corrine Chikandamina.

Cllr Raj Mehta said: “On behalf of the Town Council, it was a privilege to present the Freedom of the Town to two extraordinary individuals, Lord Sahota and Mandie Haywood. These honours recognise not only the years of service they have given, but also the incredible positive impact they’ve had on the lives of countless individuals in Great Dawley. From working with our leaders of tomorrow, to working with our leaders of today, their dedication, vision, and passion have shaped our community, and we are forever grateful for their contributions.”

The Freedom of the Town is the highest honour a Town Council can bestow and is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to their local community.