A TALENTED musician and song-writer from Thornton has been awarded the Freedom of the City in an idyllic area of Oregon -- after dedicating a song to the resort.

Gina Quinlam and her husband Norman picked up the prestigious award in the North American city of Rogue River in June. During the ceremony the mayor handed over a key to the city as a symbolic gesture, and Gina was also given an honorary citizenship award.

Gina, who was elated at the honour, said: "It was a wonderful day and there was a big crowd of on-lookers. We played a rendition of the song and were treated so well by everyone. The actual Freedom of the City award is a wonderful tribute that I was thrilled to receive.

"It is a symbolic gesture that means I am always welcome and much more. My mother was also with me and she received a standing ovation for her accordion performance of God Save the Queen, which she had been asked to play by the crowd."

Gina explained to The Citizen how it had all come about: "My husband and I formed a band called Gina and Romany Rye some years ago and we were touring America when we both fell in love with Rogue River and its people.

"I decided to write a song called Rogue River for the area about three years ago. It was easy to find inspiration for such a beautiful place. I have handed over all the licences for the song to the city so they can use it when they wish."

Gina teaches the accordion and piano from her Thornton-based music shop, situated in the Marsh Mill Village. She also runs an accordion import and export agency business from the premises.

When asked what she had in the pipeline for the future she said: "I have written another song for Rogue River called Hellgate Canyon and the city have similarly asked for the licence of the song to be handed over to them, which I'll do on my next trip over there.

"I also wrote a song for the Olympics in Salt Lake City. Although it wasn't used at the time, city chiefs have expressed their interest and have asked me to re-write it."