Cllr Lorrie Eathorne-Gibbons has been awarded the title of Honorary Freeman of the City of Truro in recognition of her outstanding service and commitment to the city and its community.
First elected as a Truro City Councillor in 1979, Lorrie has been an active and influential member of the Council for over four decades. Throughout her service, she has contributed to all areas of Council business, sitting on the Parks, Planning, and Finance & General Purposes Committees at various times.
Lorrie has also held the position of Mayor of Truro on two occasions, in 1987-88 and 2015-16. During her first mayoral year, she raised £10,000 for Arthritis UK, and in her second term, an impressive £28,000 for Emmaus UK.
Among her many achievements, Lorrie highlights the hedgehog sculptures on Trafalgar Roundabout as one of her lasting legacies and even named them all. The year they were installed, the roundabout was named Roundabout of the Year by The Roundabout Appreciation Society.
Her passion for Truro’s parks and open spaces is well known, having served extensively on the Parks Committee, including several terms as Chairman. She has also played a leading role in Truro in Bloom, again serving as Chairman on several occasions, and was instrumental in establishing the Café in the Park, having the honour of cutting the ribbon at its opening.
Lorrie has always maintained regular communication with Truro City Council staff, particularly during her committee work. Her genuine interest in their projects and initiatives ensured she was always well informed to make sound and supportive decisions. One staff member said, “She listens and understands what we need, and she supports our work.”
Reflecting on her years of public service, Lorrie said, “Being a City Councillor has meant more to me than anything else I have done.”
Beyond her Council duties, Lorrie has been a passionate supporter of numerous charities. She served on the first Steering Committee for Cornwall Air Ambulance, is an Ambassador for Macmillan Cancer Research, and currently serves as President of TS Pellew Truro Sea Cadets, alongside many other charitable roles and contributions behind the scenes.
The Mayor of Truro, Councillor Chris Wells, said, “Lorrie has given so much of her time to Truro. Her love for the city and its people shines through everything she does, from supporting local charities to improving our parks and green spaces. An example of this was her determination that lime trees should be planted at the bus station. This honour is a fitting recognition of her incredible service and lifelong dedication.”