Littlehampton Town Council has conferred the Freedom of the Town upon Councillor Dr James Walsh KStJ, RD, in recognition of more than fifty years of dedicated service to the town and its community.

The honour was awarded at an Extraordinary Full Council Meeting on Thursday 18 June 2026, following a proposal by Councillor David Tilbrook and seconded by Councillor Freddie Tandy. The Freedom of the Town is the highest civic honour the Council can bestow, conferred under section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972. It has been awarded only once before in the Council's history – the 30 Commando Royal Marines in 2013.

For more than half a century, Councillor Dr Walsh has been a constant presence in Littlehampton's civic life. First elected to the Town Council in 1975, he has served as Town Mayor twice and spent forty years as a GP in Rustington and Littlehampton, retiring from practice in 2013.

His public service has extended well beyond the council chamber. As a Royal Naval Reserve from 1973 to 1993, he rose to the rank of Surgeon Captain and Director of Medical Reserves. Through St John Ambulance he built and led a volunteer network of around 800 people across Sussex, becoming Commander in 2001, and in 2012 was appointed to the Order of St John in recognition of nearly four decades of service to the organisation.

Proposing the honour, Councillor David Tilbrook said: "During his time as a Town Councillor, Dr Walsh had served on all of the council's committees and been a representative in many organisations. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Littlehampton, its history, communities and organisations, a knowledge which I and many councillors have relied upon over the years. To have represented the residents of this town with tireless effort and enthusiasm for over fifty years is an outstanding, and quite possibly unique, achievement."

Councillor Tilbrook also read a letter of congratulation from the President of the Liberal Democrats, Josh Babarinde which stated “you have given so much of your life…something very few people in British public life claim.”

Councillor Freddie Tandy, added: “Candidates of all parties regularly talk about bringing change, fresh ideas and new perspective but the truth is that normally a little bit of experience can be incredibly useful and productive.”

Presenting a special scroll, the Mayor of Littlehampton, Councillor Maralyn May, said: "When I started working at Littlehampton Hospital, we used to have an Accident and Emergency department, and quite often we would have to phone up a doctor to come in. More often than not, James would come in, stitch somebody up and send them on their way. He was always polite and helpful, even when called out in the middle of the night. When I became a councillor, I went to him a few times for advice, and he has always been welcoming." 

Responding, Councillor Dr James Walsh thanked everyone present, including his fellow councillors, colleagues and the Town Clerk, for their kind words. He paid particular tribute to his family for their support over the years.