10/4/2006

Sir Tasker Watkins is to be given the Freedom of Cardiff at a special ceremony next week.

The 87-year-old former President of the Welsh Rugby Union will be admitted as Honorary Freeman of the City and County of Cardiff, which is the highest distinction that the Council can bestow.

He will join a select list of individuals and organisations who have been awarded the accolade since its foundation in 1886, including David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela.

Cardiff Council only grants the honour to people who are felt to have contributed eminent services to the city and county.

Sir Tasker will be admitted as Honorary Freeman of the City and County of Cardiff at a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday, April 12 at 4.30pm.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Freda Salway will be presenting Sir Tasker with the Scroll of Admission before he addresses the meeting.

She said: "It is going to be a great honour for me to officially
present Sir Tasker with the scroll that gives him the Freedom of Cardiff. His contribution to this city and to the people of Wales cannot be underestimated and he thoroughly deserves this accolade."

Sir Tasker was born in Nelson in 1918 and educated at Pontypridd Grammar School.

At age 25, while serving with the Welch Regiment in Normandy in 1944, Lieutenant Watkins was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, for his superb leadership in guiding his men to safety while under enemy fire.

Sir Tasker later achieved the rank of Major and on leaving the army he was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple. He became a High Court judge in 1971, the same year in which he was knighted.

He was appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal and a Privy Counsellor in 1980. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Chief Justice of England and Wales. As deputy to the Attorney-General, Sir Tasker was Counsel for the inquiry into the Aberfan disaster of 1966. He chaired the Mental Health Review Tribunal, Wales Region, between 1960 and 1971 and was also chairman of the Judicial Studies Board during 1979 and 1980.

He was President of the University of Wales College of Medicine for 11 years from 1987 and President of the British Legion, Wales, between 1947 and 1968. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Glamorgan in 1956 and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1992.

In 2004, after an 11-year stint at the helm of the WRU, Sir Tasker
stepped down from his role as President of the Union and was appointed the Honorary Life Vice Patron. His 11 years make him the second longest serving President in the history of the WRU.

Cardiff Council leader Rodney Berman said: "Sir Tasker Watkins has made enormous contributions the city of Cardiff and Wales. His life has been a truly remarkable one and his achievements really speak for themselves.

"It is going to be a proud day for this Council to give him the Freedom of the City and officially recognise his accomplishments to the city."

Sir Tasker said: "I feel especially privileged and honoured to have conferred on me the distinction of the freedom of the capital city of my country, which has been the home of my family and me for over 60 years. I accept it with humility particularly as I shall be joining the company of great men like David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela."