News Archives

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 […]

A Durham-based charitable hub – one of four regional centres offering trainees from the margins of society the chance of advancement by learning new skills – is expanding its operation thanks to a gift from ancient trade guilds of the city’s freemen. For nearly fifteen years Handcrafted Projects has, from their Langley Moor skill and […]

A GREAT grandmother, believed to be the oldest woman freeman in Britain, has died peacefully just days short of her of her 104th birthday.  But her trip was brought about by pure chance – the result of a north east ancestry search carried out by her son Ian, a Durham University graduate. During the trawl […]

SENIOR members of Durham City Freemen will this year take part, for the first time, in a country-wide event celebrating England’s “fantastic heritage and culture.” Wardens and deputy wardens, from the freemen’s eight surviving craft guilds formed at the end of the Middle Ages, will be available across four days in mid-September will meet members […]

THE world of high finance and artistic exercise, performed within a loop suspended from a ceiling, are unlikely bedfellows. But they both feature in the life of insurance specialist Daryl Metcalf – the freemen’s latest new recruit, where she joins dad Alan in the Cordwainers’ Guild Thirty-one-year-old Daryl, born in Esh Winning and educated at […]

Photographer Geoff Kitson had to be quick on his feet to capture a unique three-generational family picture when his grandson Tom was sworn in as a Durham City Freemen. Getting Tom, wife Sheila, son Leighton, daughter Alison, son-in-law Adam and brother Steve, as well as himself into the frame, posed few problems for a man […]

Courtesy of the Daily Telegraphy SIR PAUL NICHOLSON, who has died aged 86, was the last family chairman of the Sunderland-based Vaux brewery until its demise at the hands of City investors; a leading figure in north-eastern business and civic life, he was also Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham. Vaux (pronounced “vorks”) quenched the thirst of […]

Alan Ribchester, who was 79, lived all his life in Durham and was married to Gina. The couple have two sons, Richard and Robert, and four grandchildren. Until his retirement Alan headed a chartered accountancy practice now based on Belmont Business Park and employing four partners, one of them son Robert, along with a staff […]

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 […]

Two women who distinguished themselves in their chosen careers – one a top European marketing professional and advertising campaign strategist, the other a hospital sister and emergency nurse practitioner – have been sworn in as Freemen. Two Women Of Distinction Join The Ranks Of The Freemen Globe-trotting Joanne Booth followed in the footsteps of her dad, […]

Durhams’ Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sue Snowdon, honoured the freemen’s treasurer Stewart Atkin with rare accolade – to mark his outstanding contribution to the work of the Rotary Club of Durham. ROUSING APPLAUSE GREETS STEWART’S SPECIAL AWARD The announcement of Stewart’s special award, at a dinner in the Great Hall of Durham Castle celebrating the city Rotarians’ […]

A Stunning steel beacon, sited on high ground above Durham City to commemorate the reign of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11, will be formally handed over and test fired in situ for the first time tonight (Monday, March 27) – just weeks ahead of the King’s Coronation. he towering structure, nineteen feet tall and […]

One of Britain’s top artistic blacksmiths, originally commissioned to deliver a stunning local memorial to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11, has been sworn-in as a Gentleman Freeman of Durham City. BLACKSMITH FORGES FREEMEN’S GIFT TO THE CITY Working in his forge in the Durham Dales, 70-year-old Brian Russell has taken […]

Butchers’ Company Warden Mac Williams J.P. has been sworn in as a Freeman of the City of London in the capital’s Guild Hall during a ceremony which dates back to 1237. MAC’S LATEST HONOUR IS JUST CAPITAL Mac’s honour, initiated by personal invitation from the Chamberlain’s Court and sanctioned by the Court of Common Council, […]

A scuba-diver, a priest and a recently retired plumber were the latest newcomers to be welcomed into the freemen’s ranks at the Martinmas Guild Day in the town hall. DIVER’S “HUGE CONTRIBUTION” TO FREEMEN’S HISTORY RECOGNISED Underwater archaeologist and television presenter Gary Bankhead was sworn in as a Gentleman Freemen, while the Reverend Deborah Robinson and […]

A ceremonial event to mark the start of King Charles III’s reign, took place in Durham Market Place on Sunday (11 September 2022) at 1pm. The High Sheriff of County Durham Mrs Shona Harper-Wilkes, read the Ascension Proclamation at 1pm on the balcony of Durham Town Hall, where hundreds of people gathered to witness this […]

Durham’s’ freemen saluted an historical new milestone in their long and colourful past with a day of special public celebration in the city’s centre on the weekend of Saturday, May 14 BUTCHERS’ CARVE OUT A NEW LANDMARK IN DURHAM’S CENTURIES-OLD HISTORY In 1520, during Henry V111’s reign, the freemen’s Butchers’ Company was granted the legal right […]

NEW ARRIVALS REINFORCE LINKS ACROSS FOUR CENTURIES Two men, whose family’s north east roots straddle at least four centuries, have been sworn in together as Durham City Freemen at the May Guild Day in the town hall. Father and son Jervis and Jasper Smith were welcomed into the Drapers’ Company during the ancient ceremony, presided over […]

A civil engineer, who played a key role in the re-building, re-shaping and repairing the fabric of Durham during the latter part of the 20th century, has been sworn in as a freeman of the city. Bryan Proud, who as director of operations led the city’s entire 500-strong manual workforce until his retirement over 20 years […]

David Todd Born: 3 June 1949; Died: 17 January 2022. David became a Freeman in February 1971 following the death of his father David (Known as Leslie). He proudly displayed both certificates on his wall and enjoyed meeting fellow freemen at the last dinner held pre-COVID. David spent most of his working life with Barclays […]

Roger Norris 1941 – 2021Gentleman Freeman, and Chairman of Trustees 1995-2015 At the time of his retirement as chair of the Freemen trustees in 2015, Roger’s peers recorded the significant contribution Roger had made to the ‘re-birth’ of the city’s Freemen. Ever modest about his own role, Roger instead cited the energy and vision of […]

Elections to fill key positions within the ranks of the Durham City Freemen have produced a notable hat-trick of firsts. Elections to fill key positions within the ranks of the Durham City Freemen have produced a notable hat-trick of firsts. Mac Williams, recently voted in as Warden of the Butchers’ Company, is believed to be […]

Dozens of trees, felled ahead of preparatory work on the county council’s new riverside headquarters in the heart of Durham, have been replaced under a local partnership scheme enthusiastically supported by the city’s freemen. A total of 70 deciduous trees were felled before building work could start on the controversial development which was opposed by […]

Three leading community figures have taken up rarely offered invitations to join the ranks of the Durham City Freemen – providing them the opportunity to initially support the organisation and then offer themselves for election to undertake key leadership roles. Admission into the freemen’s eight surviving guilds is regulated by a strict criteria thought to […]

Mark and Rachel Vest’s decision to honour their father’s memory, by following him into the Drapers’ Company nearly 20 years after his death, has created what is believed to be a modern-day milestone. When the duo swore their oath of allegiance at the Martinmas Guild Day (November 11th) they swelled the ranks of the Vest […]

Seventy-two-year-old John, the latest city craftsman to join the Plumbers’ Company, lives on the outskirts of Durham with his wife Ivy, and started his working life in 1963 working as an apprentice for Fred Dennison. He stayed for five years before moving on to work for other plumbing companies in Durham. PLUMBER’S JOB SWITCH HELPED […]

Family folk-lore suggests two brothers’ links with Durham City’s Freemen may stretch back to the 14thcentury Battle of Neville’s Cross. But extensive research into the lineage of James Watson-Lee and younger brother Alex, has only found firm evidence that takes them back to the 1680s. BROTHERS BATTLE TO TRACE FAMILY LINKS TO CITY’S ANCIENT CONFLICT Family […]

Children from St Margaret’s Primary School celebrate the Centenary of a Special Durham Lady, Helena Rosa Duncombe Shafto, OBE at the Town Hall. Durham City Freemen were invited by the DLI to celebrate the Centenary of a Special Durham Lady, Helena Rosa Duncombe Shafto, OBE 1854 – 1938. On 23rdJune 1919 Mrs Shafto was made […]

May Guild Day was held on Monday 13 May 2019 with the Mayor, Councillor John Lethbridge officiating for the last time, as his term as Mayor ends soon and the Mayor elect Counsellor Katie Corrigan will be in place for the Lammas Guild Day in August. May Guild Day13 May 2019 May Guild Day was […]

Council customer services officer Alan Metcalf made one of the shortest journeys ever to take to oath of a Freeman. The 62-year-old grandfather’s walk, of a little more than 100 yards from his current workplace in Clayport to the Town Hall, completed the circle in a long working life that started as an apprentice motor […]

Two distinguished and widely respected members of Durham’s professional community have been honoured by one of the city’s oldest institutions – after being sworn in as Gentlemen Freemen. Until they recently stepped down solicitor Norman Hart and chartered accountant Alan Ribchester served as independent trustees, overseeing the official business of the City of Durham Freemen. […]

Three craftsmen, who have played a key role in the multi-million pound restoration of the top of Durham Cathedral’s 200-foot high central tower, have been sworn in as freemen of the city. The trio, stonemasons Steven Mann, Nigel Mawson and joiner Anthony Swallow, who all live on the outskirts of the city, were among seven […]

A woman who plays a key role in an international publishing company has been installed as a Freeman of Durham – just months after her dad, a leading regional academic, was sworn in. Mother-of-two Niki Haunch, whose family links with the city stretch back to the early 1800s, insisted she was “proud” to have further […]

Two academics at opposite ends of their working lives were sworn in as freemen at the Martinmas Guild Day in Durham’s town hall. Retired teacher Malcolm Pearson, aged 64, reinforced his family’s long standing links to the Plumbers’ Company, while Durham University quantum physics graduate Matt Elliott cemented his ancestral ties with the Masons’ Company. […]

The Annual Dinner of the Durham City Freemen was held in the Town Hall on Saturday 15th of October 2016 where 72 Freemen, friends and guests enjoyed an evening in the wonderful setting of the Main Hall The Mayor and Mayoress of Durham, Councillors Edward and Jennifer Bell were in attendance, together with Sir Paul […]

The AGM which was held at the Merchant Adventurers Hall on the 15th – 17th September was attended by Eric Bulmer (Warden of the Plumbers’ Company), Bob Elliott (Warden of the Masons’ Company), Kathleen Vasey (Warden of the Butchers’ Company), Joe McElwee (Warden of the Cordwainers’ Company and Doris McElwee (Member of the Cordwainers’ Company), representing the […]

Sid was admitted to the Cordwainers Company of the Durham City Freemen in May 1992 and regularly attended Guild Days. He was extremely proud of his association with the Freemen and the City of Durham. Sid is survived by Vera whom he married in 1958 and sons Ian and Peter. Sydney Davidson(Cordwainers Company)11 September 1927 […]

A former police detective and a law professor are the newest members of the Durham City Freemen. Leah Freeland and Dr Peter Minto were sworn in as Freeman at a Guild Hall ceremony in the Town Hall. A miner’s son, who established himself as one of Britain’s leading legal academics, was one of two newcomers […]

Signs, formally underlining the introduction of a total fishing ban on a stretch of the River Wear in the centre of Durham City, are now in place – offering clear warning to salmon and sea trout poachers they risk arrest by police.

For some time now newly admitted members to the Durham City Freemen have asked what happens next and how can they be involved with the organisation. For some time now newly admitted members to the Durham City Freemen have asked what happens next and how can they be involved with the organisation. The creation of […]

A long serving freeman, whose family links to the city’s trade guilds stretch back more than 300 years, died in hospital on February 26th after a long illness. Retired police sergeant John Reginald Stout, known to his friends as Reg, was admitted into the Butchers’ Company in February 1964 and at the time of his […]

A woman reinforced her family’s long-standing links with Durham City’s ancient trade guilds when she was sworn in as a freeman. Barbara Kingston, who joins two cousins recently installed into the Company of Drapers, insisted: “I know my maternal grandfather Joseph, who I was particularly close to, would be very proud if he was here […]

Cordwainers’ warden, Joe McElwee, was given a particularly warm reception when he arrived at an eco-friendly community project in Durham to formally hand over an £8,000 donation from the City’s Freemen. Fire-eater John Wolstenholme, a retired geneticist and now one of a team of volunteer helpers at The Wood Pile in Renny’s Lane, Gilesgate, provided […]

A halt to free fishing, on a stretch of the River Wear in the heart of Durham City, has been authorised by the freemen’s trustees to combat what conservationists have condemned as “salmon and sea trout poaching on an industrial scale.” A new bylaw, currently sought by the Wear Anglers’ Association, will reinforce the trustees’ […]

Iain Wilmshurst Works Manager at Durham Cathedral is elected new warden of the Currier’s Company. Iain was educated at Whinney Hill Secondary School from 1969 until 1974. In June 1974 he joined the staff of Durham Cathedral as an apprentice stonemason. He served under Edward Hughes who was one of the best masons at the […]

Eric Bulmer Chairman of the Plumber’s Company is elected new Chaiman of the Wardens. Although I was only appointed Warden of the Plumbers’ Company in May 2013, I have strong family ties with the Freemen of Durham City and I am the fourth generation of Bulmer to be admitted to the Freemen; a line that […]

A ninety-year-old widow, determined to maintain her family’s long-standing family connections with the Durham City Freemen, was officially sworn in at the Martinmas Guild Day in the town hall. Great grandmother Anne Pearson followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, father, two brothers and brother-in-law when she became a member of the Plumbers’ Company. “I […]

Norman Donkin, who has died aged 96 was born in Gilesgate and moved to Crossgate when he was about 6 years old. He attended the Blue Coat School and excelled in sport, particularly football. He could have made a professional career in football if it had not been for the war, where he served in […]

One of Durham City’s best known and widely respected lawyers has agreed to take on the role of chairman of the freemen’s trustees. Solicitor Norman Hart succeeds Roger Norris, Durham’s Cathedral former deputy librarian, who stepped down in the summer after 20 years in the chair. Seventy-one-year-old Mr Hart was, until he retired two years […]

The chairman of the wardens, John Heslop, is stepping down after playing a pivotal role in one of the most successful periods in the freemen’s post World War Two history. The announcement of John’s departure took colleagues by surprise and his last official function, the trustees and wardens meeting on December 4, will mark, almost […]

A former apprentice at Durham Cathedral says he cannot thank the Durham City Freemen enough, after they sponsored his training to become a qualified joiner. 

Durham City Freemen held their Annual Dinner on 3 October. There were 60 guests which included local Freemen and their guests as well as others from around the country. 

On Wednesday 26th August Phillip, 31, and Richard Milbourne, 29, from North Elmham in Norfolk and Freeman of the City of Durham, rode into Upton Park, home of West Ham United, to complete an epic 2,200 mile, thirty-one day challenge of riding to all Premier and Football League grounds in the country. In all they […]

Grandmother, Helen Gent, reinforced her family’s long-standing ties with the freemen at a unique ceremony, following a working life that has brought her full circle. Helen, now 65 and retired, left Whinney Hill School to join a well-known city travel agent – before moving to London where she worked in hotels before becoming an au […]

A great grandmother, who has given behind-the-scenes support to Durham’s freemen for more than quarter of a century, was honoured today (Monday, August 10th) at a unique ceremony in the city’s town hall. Seventy-five-year-old Rita Brown, was sworn into the joiners’ company as a Lady Freeman, joining her two children and five grandsons who have […]

Little Newsham Forge near Staindrop is over 200 years old but ceased being a ‘Smithy’ around 1920 and was then utilised by a local farm for a variety of purposes including that of the cowshed.  That changed in 1974 when a 24-year-old Arts graduate, born and bred in Durham called Brian Russell started the process […]

The Freemen ladies were invited to the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Durham, Councillor John Robinson’s Reception on Thursday, 14th May 2015 in the Town Hall together with Councillors, Justice’s of the Peace, Durham City Pointers and friends to celebrate the Mayor’s year. The evening commenced with an address by the Mayor welcoming everyone and […]

A woman, who has played a key supporting role behind the scenes for more than a decade, has been afforded the honour of becoming Durham’s first Lady Freeman. Grandmother Doris McElwee was officially sworn-in at the May Day Guild Day – joining the eight men who make up the small but select band of Gentlemen […]

Retired field service engineer Barry Shotton was admitted into the Cordwainers’Company at the May Day Guild Day. Sixty-eight-year-old Barry started his working life in 1961 as an apprentice electrician with Durham Rural District Council and went on to work underground at Eppleton Colliery before joining Lansing Bagnall, where he remained until his retirement. He lives […]

We are delighted to learn that Peter will become a fully time-served Joiner late this year when the college course he has been attending comes to an end. In 2012 Durham City Freemen worked with the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral to establish the sponsorship of a craft apprentice. The Dean and Chapter selected […]

Trustees’ chairman Roger Norris, who has stepped down after 20 years at the helm, has been praised by his peers for his outstanding contribution to the modern-day “re-birth” of the city’s freemen. Roger, then deputy librarian at Durham Cathedral, was invited to become a trustee in 1988 and took over chairmanship in 1995. Numbers of […]

Teenager Beth Elliott has been sworn in as a Durham Freeman today becoming the youngest ever recipient of the title in the near 700-year history of the city’s ancient trade guilds.

It is also believed that Beth’s installation into the Masons’ Company – where she joins her dad John and granddad Bob – will make her the youngest freeman in mainland Britain.

Our Annual Dinner was held on 4 October 2014 in the Town Hall and was another most enjoyable evening. The dinner has been organised single handedly for over 10 years by our Chairman of Trustees, Roger Norris, to whom we all owe a great debt of gratitude. This was the last Dinner that Roger will […]

With a view to providing opportunities for members of the Plumber’s Company to meet socially in a relaxing and interesting environment, Eric Bulmer, John Booth, Mel Wortley and Haydon Watson of the Plumber’s Company together with Joe McElwee (Cordwainers) and Geof Kitson (Barbers) were met by Nigel Mawson in the restaurant for coffee before embarking […]

An ancient order of freemen has appointed two new leaders. Eric Bulmer and Bob Elliott will serve as wardens of the City of Durham Freemen’s plumbers’ and mason’s companies, respectively. Mr Bulmer, of Brandon Village, follows in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather who joined the freemen in 1851. Mr Elliott, of Gilesgate, can trace his […]

Sisters Sarah Nattrass and Vicky Heslop, Rebecca Wright and Sandra Allison are sworn in as members of the City of Durham Freemen in a ceremony at Durham Town Hall. Sisters Sarah Nattrass and Vicky Heslop, Rebecca Wright and Sandra Allison were sworn in as members of the City of Durham Freemen in a ceremony at […]

A priest who worked alongside the late Mother Theresa is one of six newly installed Freemen of Durham City.

Reverend Joan Donkin, who worked alongside the famous nun on the streets of Calcutta, said: “It is wonderful that the daughters of Durham are now a part of the city’s traditions.”

A teaching assistant has joined the ranks of a city’s “freewomen”.

By The Northern Echo Leaders of City of Durham Freemen welcome 11 new members into their eight surviving craft guilds in a ceremony at Durham Town Hall. Read the full article on the Northern Echo at http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10031088.City_freemen_set_modern_membership_record/

John Heslop, chairman of the Freeman of Durham, and Mayor, Councillor John Wilkinson, with the 11 new members during the event at the Town Hall, in Durham. The latest intake includes: brothers Duncan and Martin Browell, from Alnwick and Craster, Northumberland, respectively; brother and sister Peter Gilroy and Claire Wigham, from West Yorkshire and Witton-le- […]

Freemen set a modern-day membership record, topping 200 for the first time in living memory.

A 4ft statue of St Giles, which stands above the entrance porch of the 900- year-old St Giles’ Church, in Gilesgate, Durham City, has been restored in a seven-day project.

Four sisters will make history today when they finally break down the barriers of an all-male preserve that has survived for nearly 700 years.The quartet – along with two of their daughters – will be simultaneously sworn in as the very first women members of the City of Durham Freemen’s ancient craft guilds at a […]