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Retiring reporter given freedom of the town he served for four decades

A retiring reporter has spoken of his “complete surprise” at being given the freedom of the town he has served for the past 46 years.

Today is Ian Austen’s last day at the Croydon Advertiser – a week after he was given a standing ovation at Croydon Council’s annual general meeting in one of his final engagements as the weekly’s local government and business correspondent.

During the meeting, he was then officially given the Freedom of Croydon.

While it is not yet known what privileges the honour bestows upon Ian, colleagues have speculated he will now be allowed to take his sheep on a tram through the town – a reference to the commonly-held belief that Freemen of the City of London have the right to drive livestock over London Bridge.

Ian Austen addressing the council chamber after receiving the honour

Ian Austen addressing the council chamber after receiving the honour

Said Ian of the honour: “It is a great honour to be nominated for the Freedom of Croydon and it came as a complete surprise.

“It is even more of an honour to receive the nomination for doing my job of covering the political scene in Croydon for so long and to be recognised alongside some of Croydon’s great politicians with whom I have worked, including the former Speaker of the House of Commons, Bernard Weatherill, former Croydon North MP, Malcolm Wicks, and one of most influential leaders of the council, Lord Bowness.”

Ian, known as ‘Austers’, began at the Advertiser in 1969 aged 19, and has held roles there including chief reporter, education correspondent, news editor and political reporter.

Editor Glenn Ebrey said: “We approached the council a few months back about doing something special to mark Ian’s retirement but this, I must admit, was much more than we hoped for and a tremendous gesture.

“It is especially fitting, as Ian has devoted so much of his career to reporting on the politics and issues relating to the town hall.

“We’re not 100pc sure what the Freedom will allow Ian to do, but I understand he has a flock of sheep ready and waiting to take for a ride on the Croydon tram.”