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 […]
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. Haydon Watson (Durham City Freeman)17th February 1937 […]
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. John Heslop 12th April 1945 – 4th April 2017 John Heslop was […]
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 […]
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. The sisters, Fiona, Rebakah and Holly Wilmshurst, were welcomed into the Curriers’ Company by their 59-year-old father Iain who is warden. […]
The work of the Durham Pointers has been supported by a donation of more than £4000 by the Durham City Freemen. An element of the funding has been targeted at the younger section of our local visitors by the production of an activity leaflet, ‘Children’s Market Place Quiz’. As result of this initiative prizes were […]
Apprentice Steven Hay is carving out a new career as a joiner at Durham’s iconic Norman Castle – thanks to a funding package from the city’s freemen. Twenty-nine-year-old Steven beat off stiff competition to win the “chance of a lifetime” – securing a four-year joinery apprenticeship to help with the upkeep of the 11th century […]
Leaders of Durham’s freemen have handed an early Christmas present to staff and trainees in specialist workshops in the city – a gesture described as “vital” to securing their financial future. The freemen’s £5,000 gift to the St Margaret’s Centre, a charitable trust, will fund the development of cutting edge technology and enable workshops to […]
Obituary – James Fawcett Magee4th July 1926 – 22nd November 2016 James (Jimmy) was born and lived his whole life in Durham City. He was called up for army service in 1945 and did his training with the Durham Light Infantry at Brancepeth. before being posted to India, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. […]