The Honorary Freedom of the City is a title given to a person or organisation in recognition of their contribution to Norwich.
Nominations can be made at any time, by anybody. The ruling party on the council considers nominations and the freedom is awarded following approval by the council. The Honorary Freedom Ceremony has previously taken place at the Guildhall, The Halls or the Council Chamber at City Hall and is presided over by the Lord Mayor.
Recent recipients of the Honorary Freedom of the City include:
- Ove Fundin - in recognition of the major contribution that he has made to the sporting achievement of Norwich
- Colin Self - in recognition of the major contribution that he has made to the visual arts, his passionate support for Norwich, and active involvement in the cultural life of the city
- Anglia TV - in recognition of the contribution that has been made to business and community life in the city and in helping to promote Norwich as the regional capital
- Norwich City Football Club - in recognition of their continuing contribution to the city and the lives of its citizens and their promotion of the city both nationally and internationally, and to mark their centenary in 2002
- Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury - in recognition of their contribution to the arts in Norwich through the Sainsbury Centre at the University of East Anglia
- Arthur Miller - in recognition of his contribution to the city and the UEA
- USAAF 2nd Air Division Association - in recognition of their bravery defending the people of Norfolk during WW2
- Norwich Union (now Aviva) - in recognition of the employment generated within Norwich.
- Norfolk Constabulary - in recognition of their close historic ties with Norwich and to mark their continuing contribution to the city.
