Bob Elliott has joined the freemen’s celebrated “band of brothers” by reaching a 60-year membership milestone – adding to the already notable claims of two of his grandchildren. At the February Guild Day Garry Dunnill, chairman of the wardens, marked the occasion by presenting Bob with a special freemen’s plaque and paying tribute to the […]
A FAMILY, whose modern-day footprint on the freemen’s seven centuries of history is near impossible to match, established a generational “quadruple” first at this year’s November Guild Day. Joiners’ Company warden Ann Thurlow, accompanied by her 43-year-old son David, were among the first to congratulate her grandson, Robert Caulkin-Neale, when he completed the “treble” after […]
A PRIMARY schoolteacher, whose great-great-grandfather crafted the coffin in which St Cuthbert’s remains were re-buried in Durham Cathedral in 1899, has followed her forebears into the ranks of the city’s freemen. Mother-of-two Charlotte Middleton was sworn-in during an ancient Town Hall ceremony alongside Patrick Conway OBE, a retired local government director whose own career included […]
YOUNG house-building carpenter Liam Thynne, singled out for his “exceptional skills,” has been declared overall winner of a pioneering annual awards scheme showcasing the achievements of modern-day craft apprentices. The project, launched 12 months ago by Durham City’s Freemen, and supported by New College, Durham, this year considered 25 new hopefuls in eight trade categories, […]
A retiree, whose family links with the Durham Markets Company reaches back over a century, has been given a special honour by the city’s freemen. A retiree, whose family links with the Durham Markets Company reaches back over a century, has been given a special honour by the city’s freemen. And, at the same swearing-in […]
Computer specialist and life-long ice hockey fan John Proud is the latest newcomer to the freemen’s ranks – joining dad Bryan, currently Warden of the Barbers’ Company. Ice Hockey Fans Stick Together To Hit Family Double The 45-year-old started watching Durham Wasps when he was six years old and went on to play the game, first […]
A ground breaking charity’s ambitions to transform a plot of overgrown woodland into a haven of peace and tranquillity has won the backing of Durham City’s freemen with a £1,000 grant. The LionMouth Rural Centre, will begin preparatory work within weeks on the £10,000 project adjacent to their Broadgate Farm complex near Esh Winning and […]
The immediate future of award winning tourism volunteers, who for more than a decade have played a key role in signposting Durham’s tourist attractions to hundreds of thousands of visitors, has been given a key financial boost by the city’s freemen. Latest Gift Keeps Tourism Volunteers On The Right Track Durham Pointers, recognised by their […]
The global financial crash of 2008 hit every discordant note for time-served organ builder Vincent Syson. Five years after starting his dream job with the world renowned Durham City instrument makers Harrison and Harrison and completing his apprenticeship he found himself out of work and jobs for men with his skills had dried up in […]
A pioneering new award scheme, showcasing the achievements of Durham City’s modern-day craft apprentices, is led by an organisation whose roots reach back into mediaeval history. APPRENTICES’ AWARDS TAKE THEM BACK TO THE FUTURE The newly forged partnership, embracing the city’s Freemen, New College Durham, Durham University and Durham Cathedral, made their first awards to thirteen […]