FROME’S formula One hero, Jenson Button MBE, will be given the Freedom of the Town. Frome Town Council agreed to confer the honour at its meeting on 17th March.
Jenson grew up and went to school in Frome. The citation will read “in recognition of his sporting achievements and in particular winning the 2009 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship enhancing the reputation of the town and the country.”
Last November the town council agreed to award the title of “Honorary Citizen” to Jenson Button. However, since then the law has changed to allow the council to award title ‘Freeman’.
Cllr Damon Hooton, Mayor of Frome said, “To the best of our knowledge, Frome is the first town council in the country to award this title. What better town and what better person to be first off the grid!”
Jenson Button is visiting Frome to receive his award on 4th May.
Back to winning ways
Jenson clinched first place in the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.
This was Jenson’s second race for McLaren after a disappointing start to the season in Bahrain.
Jenson said, “What a fantastic weekend! From the first lap here, I felt comfortable in the car. Qualifying was good – we weren’t on the pace of the front guys, we were five or six tenths off – but our race pace was better. And in these tricky conditions, I think we made some very good calls and we came away with a victory.
“You might say we were lucky in some ways, but I think we just made the right calls – and that’s so important nowadays. It’s not just about speed, it’s about making the right calls, being consistent and conserving the car.
“To not only be on the podium, but to be on the top step, after just two races, is amazing. It’s crucial to get the big points when perhaps we don’t have the out-and-out pace; these are really important points to us. Now we’ve really got to get our heads down and hopefully turn up in Malaysia next week with an even better car.
“This victory means so much to me. A Grand Prix win in a McLaren. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Right now, I just want to run around and scream. It’s just the most amazing experience.”
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