By: Arthur C Lockyear MBE
Photos by: John Attle
Throughout its history Durham City Freemen has maintained strong connections with apprentices and the businesses and organisations operating within the city. For many years, both the Wardens and the Freemen have sought to recognise and celebrate the excellence, achievements and skills of local apprentices.
With this in mind, I am delighted to report that this year’s (2026) Apprentice Awards Event has once again been a great success. The Freemen were able to select ten outstanding winners for this year’s awards from nominations submitted by local businesses and New College Durham.
The overall winner was Nicole Rowell, a Painter and Decorator who is employed by Bagnalls, a national contractor with long-standing links to Durham. Nicole was selected by the Freemen as the overall winner because, within the first six months of her apprenticeship, she was able to produce work well beyond the expectations normally seen at this stage of her learning journey and has consistently set a high standard within the group, both in theory sessions and in practical workshop tasks.
Also selected by the Freemen as winners of this year’s awards are
Liam Scott – Compliance Surveyor
Mathew Bell – Joinery
Amy Burns – Hairdressing
Shauna Tague – Maternity Support Worker
Liam Straughn – Electrical Installation
Adam Burnham – Plumbing
Kaylin Boland – Accountancy
Callum Forster – Software Developer
Dylan Ash – Maintenance Operative
The event was hosted at the Town Hall by Durham City Freemen, with awards presented by Mr Mike Butterwick, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, and included a speech by the new Mayor Councillor Amanda Hopgood, with the Chair of Durham City Parish Council, Councillor Susan Walker, also in attendance.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Apprentice Awards celebration, the Freemen are hoping to attract an increased number of nominations from local businesses and the training sector. There is also an ambition to introduce new categories, including recognising companies and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to supporting apprentices across the greater Durham City area.
My hope is that the Freemen will be able to continue building on the foundations of the awards, consult and work more closely with our partners, review feedback from previous events, and explore new opportunities for collaboration and outreach. By embracing change and seeking input from apprentices, businesses, and educational institutions alike, the Freemen aims to ensure that future awards are even more inclusive and impactful.
Moving forward, it is hoped that the Freemen can refine the nomination and selection processes, broaden the range of recognised trades, provide greater inclusivity and sustainability, and further celebrate the remarkable achievements of apprentices and the
organisations supporting them, strengthening the legacy and relevance of the awards for years to come.
Neil Graham.
Warden, Masons’ Company.
Deputy Chair Durham City Freemen