The Guild is pleased to share a profile of Susanah Steenkamp, whose interest in joining the Freemen represents the continuation of a distinguished family lineage deeply rooted in the civic history of Durham. Susanah’s great grandfather, Baron Charles Ebdy, was himself a Freeman and a proud son of Durham. A respected architect, his contribution to […]
Arthur Lockyear who has been appointed press officer to the Freemen of Durham City served for 30 years an operational fire fighter with Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service, and is the author of the book ‘Warriors in Fire Boots’ a tribute to the valour of fire fighters.
Press release Coventry Freemen For Immediate Release Coventry Freemen’s Guild Announces 80th Anniversary Dinner at Historic St Mary’s Guildhall The Coventry Freemen’s Guild will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its modern foundation with a formal Anniversary Dinner on Saturday 20 June 2026, to be held in the Guild’s historic home, the medieval St Mary’s Guildhall. […]
John was born into a mining family in 1944 at Esh Winning, the youngest of three boys and the only one not to work for the NCB.
John attended Esh Winning Infants and Junior School, then Waterhouses Secondary Modern School. After leaving school, John embarked on a journey in further education: one year full-time on a preparatory technical course at Bishop Auckland Technical College, followed by five years studying electrical and electronic engineering — three years at Durham Technical College and finally two years at Sunderland Technical College.
A journalist, who played a key role in charting the major resurgence and impact of the city’s Freemen across the last 15 years, has stepped down as press officer. George Oliver first retired in 2009 after 17 years as Durham Constabulary’s press and public relations manager after a career which started in the autumn of 1963.
On 2nd February 2026, two new Freemen were officially inducted during the Candlemas Guild Day ceremony. The honourees, Dave Cummings and Peter Carr, were sworn in amidst celebrations recognizing their contributions and dedication.
“Celebrating Excellence, Investing in the Future”. What are the Awards?The Durham City Freemen Apprentice Awards recognise apprentices who demonstrate outstanding skills, excellence, knowledge, and commitment to their chosen trade within the City of Durham. Why nominate?• Celebrate your apprentices’ achievements and raise the profile of your business.• Shine a spotlight on the quality of training […]
Durham City Remembrance was I believe the best we have produced for Durham City, and this is in no small part due to financial and logistical support of many people and organizations in and around Durham such as yourselves.
TWO time-served craftsmen, whose working lives followed different courses, discovered they unwittingly shared a common bond shortly before being sworn in as freemen at November’s Guild Day in the Town Hall Gary Wilkinson, who became a member of the Joiners’s Company, has been a key player in the multi-million-pound rescue of the Durham Miners’ Hall […]
I’m excited to share some highlights from the recent major restoration of Durham Town Hall. As many of you know, the town hall closed in November 2024 to allow for an extensive programme of repairs and conservation—part of a broader initiative that originally began during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020–21. This vital work included a […]