The Freedom of the Borough of Blaenau Gwent will be posthumously bestowed on snooker legend Ray Reardon. This was agreed unanimously at today’s Full Council meeting.
Ray Reardon was born in Tredegar and made a great contribution to the world of snooker not only in Tredegar but throughout Wales and globally. He dominated the sport of snooker for the best part of a decade winning six World Snooker Championships between 1970 and 1978 and more than a dozen other professional titles over the course of his career.
He died in July this year at the age of 91.
Cllr Chris Smith, Presiding Member of Blaenau Gwent Council says:
“I’m delighted that Council has today supported bestowing the Freedom of the Borough posthumously on snooker player Ray Reardon of Tredegar. Ray was a true legend and character of the sport. He was focused and determined whilst at the table, but away from it was well known for his warmth and humour, a true gentleman. Ray is very deserving of the highest honour we can award as a Council.”
Ray is the second snooker player to receive this honour, following Mark Williams in 2019. It is the highest honour a Local Authority can bestow on an individual.
Arrangements will now be made to formally award the honour.
