Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Association (UCRA) Committee Member, Ron Ower, was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Havering at an Extraordinary Meeting of Havering Council on 04 December 2024, for his many years service as an elected local councillor and tireless dedication to our local community.

Always interested in politics, Ron formed the Forest Gate Ward of the Newham Ratepayers & Citizens Association in 1969. He stood in three local elections, coming second on each occasion and was a Governor at several schools.

In 1973, Ron moved to Cranham and joined UCRA, later becoming a founder member of the Cranham Community Association. In 1978, he was elected as a local councillor in Cranham and served three full terms, before not seeking re-election in 1990 due to work commitments. However, he remained involved with UCRA, including a spell as chairman and editing the Bulletin for 16 years.

In 2010 Ron stood for election again for UCRA, this time in Upminster, receiving 4871 votes, the highest number in Havering’s history. He remained a ward councillor for the next twelve years, before ‘retiring’ at the 2022 election.

During his 24 years as an elected councillor, Ron served on many of the Borough’s committees and spent several years as a Cabinet Member.

Congratulations Ron – your are a worthy recipient of the Freedom of the Borough!

At the same meeting, Ken Hay, a decorated war veteran and long-standing Upminster Resident, also received the Freedom of the Borough of Havering. A full tribute to Ken will appear in the January 2025 edition of the Bulletin.

By Editor on 5th December 2024   /   News   /   Leave a comment