After months of negotiation we were particularly pleased to sponsor an apprentice joiner employed by the Dean and Chapter at the Cathedral. Local teenager, Peter Bennet started his apprenticeship early in 2012 and is working alongside the Cathedral’s experienced joiners. As well as receiving guidance and mentoring from the cathedral’s experienced joinery team, he is receiving formal training at New College, Durham. This project takes the Freemen back to our trade and craft roots. We hope that when the apprentice has served his time he will become a freeman by right of servitude and join the Company of Carpenters. Joiners, Wheelwrights, Sawers and Coopers, which was established in 1661.