The man who brought the Great North Run to Tyneside and the architect behind the regeneration of Newcastle Quayside are both to receive Newcastle’s greatest honour.
On Wednesday 3 February Newcastle City Council agreed to award Brendan Foster CBE and Sir Terry Farrell CBE the Freedom of the City.
Brendan, who was born and raised in the North East, became an international athlete after training on Tyneside while still teaching chemistry at a local school. He is not only an Olympic Bronze Medal winner but a World Record Breaker and former European Champion. He is also known as the mastermind behind the Great North Run which is more popular than both the New York and London marathons.
Sir Terry Farrell CBE, who was brought up and educated in Newcastle, is the UK’s principle postmodernist urban designer. As well as the regeneration of Newcastle Quayside, Sir Terry was the inspiration behind some of the city’s most iconic buildings including the International Centre for Life and revamp of the Great North Museum. And he is currently working on new designs for Northumberland Street.
Sir Terry has received worldwide acclaim for his national and international designs. Perhaps most notable are the MI6 and Home Office Headquarters and KK100 tower in Shenzhen, China, the tallest building ever designed by a British architect.
Councillor Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council, who nominated both recipients said “Both Brendan and Sir Terry have made a lasting impact on our city.
Brendan has made the Great North Run the greatest half marathon in the world and inspired generations of people to be more active. He is one of our region’s cultural and sporting ambassadors.
Sir Terry is one of the most innovative and inspirational architectural designers of a generation and the difference he has in our city will be appreciated for years to come.
It’s fitting that the Council honours two men whose achievements will have a lasting impact on Newcastle and around the world.”