Late actress Glenda Jackson handed Freedom of Wirral honour

The Oscar-winning star, who was born in Birkenhead and later served as a Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate in London for 23 years, died last year at the age of 87.

Last year Wirral Council unanimously voted to give her the Freedom of the Borough in acknowledgement of her extraordinary achievements.

Late Oscar-winning actress Glenda Jackson has been given Freedom of Wirral (Image: PA) This honour is now being awarded during Wirral’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture which showcases the area’s creativity and artistic endeavour.

A private ceremony was held for Ms Jackson's family to receive the award on her behalf.

The Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Cherry Povall JP, said: "Glenda Jackson illustrated on an international stage the very best our wonderful borough has to offer and it is a real pleasure to be able to acknowledge her achievements in this way.

"It was also wonderful to be able to share some time with her family as we mark an incredible life and contribution to culture and politics."

From left: Chris and Rebecca Harris, Dan Hodges Mayor of Wirral Cllr Cheryl Povall JP, Jenna Harris and James Harris with Freedom Of The Borough honour for late Oscar-winning actress Glenda Jackson (Image: Wirral View) Glenda May Jackson was born on May 9, 1936 in Birkenhead, the oldest of four daughters and went to school at Holy Trinity Church of England Primary school.

Her secondary education was at West Kirby County Grammar School for Girls.

Glenda Jackson performed in the Townswomen’s Guild Drama group in her teens and made her first acting appearance in J.B Priestley’s Mystery of Greenfingers in 1952 for the YMCA Players in Hoylake.

After leaving school, she worked at Boots the Chemist before winning a scholarship in 1954 to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

Following a number of jobs and roles in repertory theatre Glenda went on to star in a range of prominent film and TV productions between 1969 to 1980.

Freedom Of The Borough honour for late Oscar-winning actress Glenda Jackson (Image: Wirral View) She is the only British actress to have won two Oscars – for her 1970 role opposite Oliver Reed in Women in Love and then three years later for A Touch of Class.

The Glenda Jackson Theatre in Wirral was officially named after her at a ceremony in September 1983 after she reached the pinnacle of her fame and remained until it was demolished in 2005 following the establishment of a purpose-built site for students.

There had always been a pull towards a political career for Ms  Jackson that ran alongside her acting career and in 1991 she retired from acting to devote herself to politics and was elected as an MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 1992.

In July 1996 she became the shadow minister for transport.

Following Labour’s victory in the 1997 General Election, Ms Jackson was re-elected and appointed as a junior minister in the government of Tony Blair with responsibility in the London Regional Transport.

She remained as an MP until 2015 when she announced that she would not seek re-election.

Ms Jackson died, aged 87, on Thursday June 15, 2023 at home in London with family by her side.

Under the Local Government Act 1972, Wirral Council has the power to grant the title of Honorary Freeman or Freewoman of the Borough to persons of distinction who have rendered eminent Service to the Borough.

Very few people have been awarded this status and however members of the council agreed Ms Jackson should receive the honour.

The Freedom of the Borough was presented to Dan Hodges, Ms Jackson’s son, in a private event held in the Mayor’s parlour on Friday October 18, followed by afternoon tea with the Mayor of Wirral.

Following that the groups travelled to Ms Jackson’s former home in Wirral at Lake Place for the Blue Plaque unveiling.