Craftsmen Make Up For Lost Time
7th August 2017
Two time-served Durham craftsmen have been sworn in as freemen of the city – more than 100 years after they first became eligible to join.
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Freemen in step with a cash boost for dancers' appeal
25th July 2017
A face-lift for a dancing facility, catering for children and young adults from vulnerable backgrounds, has taken a big step forward – thanks to the City of Durham Freemen.
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Freemen Swell The Ranks Of Remembrance Parade
13th July 2017
Proposals to transform a military spectacle into one of the “biggest and most prestigious” in the north of England have been given a major boost by Durham’s Freemen.
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Obituary - Jim Marsden
6th July 2017
Born in Whinney Hill, Jim moved to Misletoe Street and attended St Margaret’s School then the Durham Johnston School. He spent much of his youth pursuing country pastimes around the family’s brickyard ponds at Tursdale, and in WW2 at age 16 he volunteered for the Royal Observer Corps. Called up in 1945 he served in the UK and Germany as an ordnance disposal expert with the Royal Engineers, then as a Battery Surveyor with the Royal Artillery.
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Freemen's Gift Keeps Wheels of Bikers' Charity Turning
29th May 2017
A donation from the City of Durham Freemen will help keep the wheels of an international biking charity turning – by literally providing them with a range of new tools to do the job.
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Family of Freemen Claim Unique Double
8th May 2017
A-Level student Jack Elliott became one of the youngest freemen in Britain when he was sworn-in at a ceremony in Durham’s Guildhall ( May 8th). But his notable achievement was tempered by the knowledge that his sister Beth is still believed to claim the honour of being the country’s youngest – beating him to the title by just 16 days.
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Obituary - Haydon Watson
24th April 2017
Haydon was admitted to the Plumbers’ Company on 8 May 2006 and became a staunch supporter of the Durham City Freemen, regularly attending Guild Days, Members meetings and the Annual Dinner. His engaging personality was evident at these events and he formed many lasting friendships among the members.
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Obituary - John Heslop
22nd April 2017
John Heslop was admitted a Durham Freeman to the Curriers Company on 9th February 1987, was appointed Warden of the Company on the resignation of Michael Howarth in December 2001, and Chairman of the Wardens in succession to Alan Atkinson in January 2006.
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Clothworkers' Company of London member to speak at the Annual Dinner
30th March 2017
Alex Nelson who is an active member of the Clothworker Company, grew up in London and went on to study at University College Durham before embarking upon a career in the transport industry. Initially in Norwich and then moving to the North East to work at Go-Ahead Northern from 1985 to 1994, before leaving to start the Mayfair Group Travel. He now owns Chester-le-Track, a ticketing service and the only independent main line railway station at Chester-le-Street.
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Double Family Celebration
6th February 2017
Three sisters from Durham and two brothers from West Yorkshire have reinforced the strong family ties enjoyed by the city’s growing band of freemen when they were sworn in at the Candlemas Guild Day.
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