Sheila Pantin

Last month saw a moment of living history when the Town Council voted to award the Freedom of Harrogate to one of the town’s most treasured residents, Sheila Pantin. We were privileged to make the nomination; the honour being bestowed by The Mayor, Chris Aldred, at a special ceremony held at the Council offices on Tuesday, 21st October. This was also Sheila’s 102nd birthday.

In a long and eventful life, perhaps Sheila’s greatest achievement was the selfless work she carried out, under appalling conditions, when she was, we believe, the first British service woman to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp following its liberation. You may remember she was our guest of honour at “Harrogate on Film” and, even more appropriately, our “poster girl” at the war memorial centenary when she vividly recounted her wartime experiences to a packed and rapt audience.

The award of the Freedom was a relaxed and happy affair followed by a birthday tea. Sheila beamed throughout but expressed relief, tinged with slight regret, when told she would not be expected to drive a herd of sheep over Station Bridge!