Freemen 21 october 2017 by rineypublishinglimited

ISSUE 21 OCTOBER 2017

Foreword O

Contents 4

Visitors Tales

Theatre Royal Visit

Hoppings 2017

Best Hoof Forward

Superintendent’s Report

A Proud Historical Moment

One Hundred Years Old

135 Years of The Hoppings

Christmas Guild 2016

Newcastle upon Tyne Trade Guilds

Diary Dates

19 Notice Board

Front cover photograph taken by Kevin Batey (Town Moor Superintendent) Showing 2017 Hoppings trailer advertisement next to The Freemen Herd. Guild swearing in and new Lord Mayor photographs taken by Steve Brock Official Photographer, Steve Brock Photography. - Copies available from www.stevebrock.co.uk Tel 01912863430

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ur guardianship role and inherent responsibilities in relation to the Town Moor and all this entails has without any shadow of doubt been distinctly acknowledged as a consequence of the 800th Anniversary. A close working collaboration with Newcastle City Council has never been stronger and Councillor Hazel Stephenson in her year of office as Lord Mayor served to set a commitment not only in sustaining historical pride and a most remarkable enthusiasm in promoting our fine and progressive City but setting a modus operandi that the Freemen as

a corporate body were so unanimously prepared to “fall in behind” and act accordingly. We are now experiencing the refresh being sustained by Councillor Linda Wright Lord Mayor. I was most humbled to be awarded the status of Honorary Freedom of Newcastle upon Tyne and wish to express a big thank you to colleagues across the Freelage who have over the past thirty years and more volunteered so much time, skill and professionalism in relation to the agenda we have to deal with and particularly to ensure a strong and effective portfolio of commitments that so distinctly secure and serve the environmental heart of such a great City. Also please do not hesitate to provide feedback and contribute to future strategy.

Sir Leonard Fenwick CBE

Chairman of the Stewards Commitee

Editorial O

nce again the Editorial team have willingly given of their time to bring you some interesting articles which we hope continue the theme of being both informative and wide ranging. The aim of the magazine is to provide you with a quick insight into the goings on within the workings of the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne and hopefully their positive impact on the City. The Editorial team are always after new and enlightening items for print and would welcome any suggestions, photographs or articles for consideration relevant to The Freemen and The City. (contact details are on the back cover, just preface your communication with “Editorial Group”)

Great North Run 2017” COURTESY OF NEWCASTLE EVENING CHRONICLE.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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: Visitor’s Tales W

hen I first met Janet she was 87, a wise old spinster living in her own house backing onto her 84 years old sister’s. One year I told her our summer coach trip was going to Berwick and she said that when younger she had walked there, about 60 miles up the coast! I looked shocked and she explained that she had done it about ten miles at a time and getting the bus home in between the walks. Not long after her 90th birthday, her “kid” brother 83 told me she had broken her shoulder, having fallen off the table! When I visited her she said she had been standing on the table to hang curtains and ran out of table! On another occasion her brother asked if she had shown me her leg and I said she wasn’t that sort of girl.He said that she had told him she had fallen indoors but he thought that it had been outside. Sure enough when I called she said confidentially that she had gone into the garden for some rhubarb (carrying a knife) when she had fallen! I grew to expect some tale of mischief or adventure whenever I called on her, like when she had told her sister she was popping into town and subsequently came out of M & S , seeing a bus for Berwick and deciding it was a nice day, she would board it! “To go to Berwick?” I asked. “No, I just went to Alnwick and got the little bus up to my niece’s” she replied. The niece had rang Janet’s sister to tell her who her surprise visitor was and she got her husband to drive her back into Alnwick just in time to miss a bus. By the time she got into Newcastle it was dusk and the 20 minute local bus service was down to hourly and her agitated kid sister was waiting at their bus stop to give her a piece of her mind! Just before her 100th birthday she told me how she couldn’t stand dandelions in her front lawn and three in flower had been 4

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annoying her. She said that she knew that if she bent forward she would fall, so she got down on her knees and removed the offending weeds. She said “then I tried to get up, but even with my good knee, I couldn’t make it!” Fortunately in her quiet cul-de-sac, she had an observant neighbour who came to her rescue. Turned 100 she had not been sleeping well for a night or two but decided to bus into town to do a little shopping. It was February and cold outside, but the bus was warm and comfortable and she soon dropped off to sleep, a sound sleep! A passenger saw this very old lady’s head fall and alerted the driver who decided to stop and soon the police and paramedics were on the scene and had the sleeping Janet on a stretcher when the cold outside woke her up! She wasn’t going into any hospital, there was nothing wrong with her – so the bus drove away and then the ambulance, leaving the police in charge. They said they’d take her home and asked who’d be there. “No one” she said “I live on my own!” The police said that they could not leave her on her own, they’d seek a neighbour to be with her and went off looking for one after seeing her into her house. Several neighbours must have been out as they came back with someone from three doors away, only to find that Janet had made tea for them! One wonders what the police put on their report! By 103, after her sister had died, she reluctantly agreed to have a telephone installed but told me she wouldn’t use it. “What you’ve never had, you never miss.” but relatives could ring her. At 104 when I called the door was opened promptly by a carer who invited me in saying with a grimace that Janet was “helping” her in the kitchen. I asked if I could borrow her and the carer said “Yes please” Janet and I sat chatting in the front room and eventually the carer came in to get her book signed, asking if I would like a cup of tea. I politely declined but Janet said that she would have one! The tea arrived with biscuits and the carer left. I was asked if she had shut the gate and I confirmed that

Theatre Royal Visit I

n November a group of Freemen were given a tour of the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. The visit was arranged by Ian Miller of the Shipwrights. Ian organises the Town Moor Charity’s annual trip to the pantomime at the Theatre Royal. The original Theatre Royal opened in 1788 in Drury Lane, off Moseley Street. It was replaced in 1836 by the current building as part of Richard Grainger and John Dobson’s redevelopment of the City Centre. The architects were Benjamin and John Green who were Freemen belonging to the Bricklayers Company. The building is considered to be one of the finest theatres in the country and is Grade 1 listed. In 1899 a serious fire, which started during a performance of Macbeth, destroyed most of the auditorium, although the exterior was not affected. The auditorium was rebuilt, to a design by Frank Matcham who was a great theatre architect, and the theatre reopened in 1901. The building was refurbished in 2011 at a cost of almost £5m. The 1901 design for the auditorium was recreated as far as possible and the portico was restored as it had been damaged by the weather over the years. Our visit coincided with the panto season. There were two performances a day and the cleaners were sweeping up confetti

she had, only to be informed that usually she didn’t! A while later I pointed out that her untouched tea would be getting cold and was told that she hadn’t wanted it, she just asked to get her to do something for her money!

from the previous evening and there were some technical checks being carried out. This didn’t affect our visit and we had a comprehensive tour with a knowledgeable and amusing member of the theatre staff. We were taken below, back and on stage; the last giving an impressive view of the auditorium. We visited the stalls, circle and right up to the Gallery, known as the Gods in my day and now fitted with comfy seats, not wooden benches. There was an interesting exhibition of historical items, including posters and programmes, in the Gallery area. Some of our party remembered Charlton Heston in A Man for All Seasons in 1988. The display includes the Shipwrights’ coat of arms as the Theatre has a record of the Shipwrights’ mediaeval mystery play but none from other Guilds. The guide covered the history of the building and the refurbishment plus anecdotes about performances and actors. It was very enjoyable. Tours can be booked via the Theatre’s website but you can have a look around the public areas, including the Exhibition on the gallery floor, any time when the theatre is open.

Two weeks later she had begrudgingly agreed to move from her beloved bungalow into a residential care home where she unfortunately suffered a stroke, went into hospital and passed away.

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HOPPINGS 2017 W

e can report on a successful 2017 Hoppings which opened on the 16th June for nine days of fun closing on Saturday 24th. The official opening ceremony took place on 17th June, following speeches by Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chairman of the Freemen of Newcastle, George Bliss, Chairman of the Northern Section of the Showmen’s Guild and Jeremy Dodd, Commanding Officer, Fifth Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The Lord Mayor Councillor Linda Wright rang the Fair Bells signalling the opening of the fair and the Military Show which took place on the first weekend. The official party toured the Fair taking the opportunity to sample some of the attractions. We had two choices for the week the fair commenced, the 23rd or the 16th but as the 23rd ran into July for the last day we decided to open on the 16th. The weather was very kind with plenty of sunny days. Had we waited until the 23rd the event would have lived up to its reputation for rainy days. Setting up commenced in May by our staff led by Town Moor Superintendent Kevin Batey. The marking out was achieved for the first time by using satellite navigation, a system which is accurate to within 2mm. Interestingly many of the public believe that the showmen just drive onto the field and setup their equipment where they want, but every one of the 300+ positions are marked out 6

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individually and allocated to a particular ride operator. For security every ride, vehicle and living van is issued with a permit containing the operators name and vehicle registration number which must be displayed and checked prior to entry to the site, which is quite an administrative task. Attendance was good and helped by the good weather, and the public were able to enjoy over 300 attractions ranging from white knuckle rides to the many catering offers. Due to the recent security issues at other cities there was a raised police presence which was bolstered by patrolling armed officers, with many of the children taking the opportunity to have their photograph taken with the friendly officers. All served to reassure the public that it was a safe event. Preparations for the 2018 Hoppings commenced once the site was cleared, with dates being confirmed as 22nd – 30th June.

Best Hoof Forward As all Freemen are aware the maintaining of herbage rights (grazing rights) on the Town Moor is the most important factor in ensuring the continuance of an open space in the interests of the inhabitants of the city and their right to “air and exercise” as stated in The Newcastle upon Tyne Town Moor Act 1988. The Act stipulates that the Stewards Committee shall decide the number of cattle, not exceeding 800, which may be grazed. This number is dependant on

he Freemen have exercised their right to graze cattle on the Town Moor from time immemorial, the right to do so having originated prior to the Norman Conquest.

the conditions and capacity of the areas available for grazing from year to year. This year 485 cattle have been initially introduced onto the Moor. Until now, Freeman and Beef farmer, Ricky Alder, from Ponteland, has been the only Freeman to exercise his ancient right to graze cattle on the Moor and has done so for the past 15 years. However in late April early May 2017 a decision was made to re- introduce a “Freemen Herd” to the Town Moor. Every January Kevin Batey, the Town Moor Superintendent, writes to existing graziers inviting them the opportunity to graze their cattle for a new season, which lasts from March to November. This year due to two graziers retiring the opportunity arose for a new herd to be introduced onto Hunters Moor. With the benefit of Ricky’s experience, along with Kevin’s knowledge built up over a period of 32 y ears of

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to a maximum period of 36 months. (A heifer is a female animal that has never had a calf as opposed to a cow, that will have had at least one calf). Hunters Moor is approximately 63 acres in size and with Ministry guidelines o f 0.6 beast peracre it can comfortably accommodate the Freemen herd and provide space for any potential increase in the size of the herd should it prove prudent to do so.

dealing with graziers and fulfilling one of his many roles of supervising grazing on the Moor, accompanied by Sir Len Fenwick, they were tasked with creating a Freemen herd. Visits were made to Hexham, Northallerton and Darlington Cattle market auctions. Between the three auctions 40 heifers, of different breeds, Aberdeen Angus, British Blue X, Limousin X and Charolais, were purchased. Whilst the British Blue X, Limousin X and Charolais are usually de-horned when young horn buds first appear, the Aberdeen Angus are naturally “polled” livestock, ie are without horns, a condition all graziers must meet when putting cattle on the Moor to graze as a safety precaution to minimise danger to the public. When purchasing cattle, in this case for introduction into the human food chain, experience and intuition are invaluable. Whilst obviously cost will have a bearing on whether to buy or not, the ability to identify the correct conformation/frame of the beast, offering potential to grow, will determine potential profit when selling. As the heifers purchased are intended for consumption, their lifespan will be limited

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It will come as no surprise that owning a herd of cattle does generate paperwork. The Cattle Tracing System (CTS) is the database for all cattle in Great Britain to which owners must notify births, movements and death of cattle on their holding. The database is maintained by The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS). Every bovine animal in the UK has a holding number, relating to where the animal is being held and a unique personal number, shown both on an ear tag in each ear and on a paper cattle passport which is held by the current keeper of the animal. The unique personal number and the passport remain with the animal throughout its life and any movement to a new holding must be recorded on the passport, dated along with details of the new holding number. The system therefore allows for traceability of the beef. To balance the books costs have to be factored in to include transportation of cattle to and from market. There is always the possibility that there will be the need to call upon veterinary care. There are also additional overheads that are necessary and beneficial to all graziers who use the Moor, the cost of which, are met by The Freemen. The Moor itself has to be managed whether it be drainage issues, providing fertiliser to encourage strong growth of pasture, weeding as some weeds can be poisonous to grazing livestock, examples would be Hemlock, Horsetail or Pokeweed. In addition fencing has to be maintained

due to the Moor bordering major roads in and out of the city. Cattle pens are also in constant need of maintenance as they are required to load the cattle safely onto transport wagons when moving cattle off the Moor. Understandably all this care and maintenance attracts many “man hours” that have to be paid for. In addition the income from “stints”, the rent charged for grazing one beast on the Moor, a charge that the Freemen Herd will also incur, after administration costs, are paid directly to the Freemen and widows and widowers of Freemen living within the Newcastle City Boundaries. The Freemen are fortunate in that with Ricky being a Beef farmer, he is constantly monitoring market trends, prices and potential opportunities to sell the cattle that over the grazing season have grown sufficiently to take back to market. As the Freemen herd is aimed at the consumer meat market it is intended that the beasts will be put into what is known as a “deadweight” auction. As with any other type of auction there is a great reliance on the theory of basic economics of “supply and demand”. Bearing in mind the potential overheads already incurred, you can be dealing in a very precarious environment in a “deadweight” auction, especially as the seller is not allowed to remove the beasts from the auction because the auctioneer has been unable to achieve a minimum anticipated price. The other option to that of a “deadweight” auction is that of a “liveweight” auction and is known as “sell in the store”. Store Cattle are animals being brought on for beef, as with the Freemen herd, but are

felt not to have sufficiently grown yet to achieve a realistic price in a “deadweight” auction. The beasts are therefore sold on in the auction to either dealers or other farmers who are buying for finishing and so are usually looking for well-grown animals of up to two years of age. A benefit to the seller in a “liveweight” auction is that the seller can pull the cattle out of the auction if it is felt that the auctioneer has not achieved an acceptable price. However pulling cattle from this auction means that you might well have to then start factoring in the cost of over winter housing, not to mention transporting the cattle back, in our case, to the Moor. The Freemen have always remained vigilant in protecting the Moor and that commitment continues today. Whilst it’s early days the re-introduction of The Freemen herd is a demonstrative step forward by the Freemen in their belief that the Moor should at all times, as stated earlier, be available for grazing, protecting the open space, a wonderful asset for the City and its residents.

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Superintendent’s Report 2017

North has now been fully grazed by three generations of the Martin family, another first for the Town Moors. In the next edition of this magazine I will hopefully be able to give you all an update on our first Freemen grazing season.

Environmental Projects Our Elizabethan fencing project got underway around the boundary of the former Brighton Grove allotment site (also known as intake 3) these works are expected to be completed by the end of September 2017. COURTESY OF CANCER RESEARCH UK RACE FOR LIFE PRETTY MUDDY

The list of which grows year on year with the Town moors are becoming increasingly popular due to their close proximity to the City Centre.

e welcomed the cattle back on the 31st March of this year, with the exception of Mr Bryan Manners and Mr Roy Collinson whom both retired from grazing the Town Moors after approximately 25 years’ service. We wish them all the very best for the future. In addition to this two sections on the Town Moors became available to graze, this was put to Committee and was agreed firstly to write to our remaining graziers and put the option to graze extra pasture to them. We had two graziers interested in grazing the main Town Moor which consisting of a minimum herd of 200 head of cattle, which is a huge financial commitment. Both parties were invited to put their points across. After much consideration it was agreed to let the main Town Moor to Daniel Kemp. Daniel used to graze Castle Leazes Moor. The Stewards Committee decided to ask Mr Chris Siswick (formerly grazing Hunters Moor) if he would consider moving down the road to Castle Leazes

Events

Moor, Mr Siswick agreed to do this which opened up Hunters Moor for the Stewards Committee to introduce for the first time in almost 25 years the Freemen herd. It was agreed to graze 40 head of cattle, the task of buying the herd fell into the laps of Ricky Alder (Stewards Committee and local farmer/grazier of Nuns Moor South) myself and the Chairman Sir Leonard Fenwick. After many visits to North East cattle marts we managed to build the Town Moor herd to the sum of 40 cattle by mid May. The other stints that became available were those of Mr Roy Collinson. Roy grazed Nuns Moor North in conjunction with Freddie Martin and his daughter Joanne. Mr Martin’s other daughter Sarah has been heavily involved in the running of her father’s Town Moor herd, so it seemed only appropriate to offer Sarah the chance to graze with her father and sister on this moor and taking over Mr Collinson’s 33 stints. This she has done and Nuns Moor

COURTESY OF BBC NEWS PRIDE EVENT 2017

Pride Event – which was held over 21st23rd July. The weather was not kind for the Pride weekend which resulted in our staff carrying out some minor reinstatement works. At the time of writing the following events are due: Party in the Park – is coming to the Town Moor on 11th, 12th and 13th August.

Every Saturday the Park run takes place with anywhere between 300-700 participants.

Chinese State Circus – from the 20th August through to the 30th August.

Every Sunday the junior park run takes place with an average of 100 participants.

Mela – also runs the same time as the circus which is over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Sunday 27th and Monday 28th August.

The Hoppings -The Hoppings marking out commenced on 8th May this year. This year was the first time in the events history in which we used GPS to which I have to add was a great success. The event opened on the 16th June and closed on 24th June and again with the weather on our side enabled us to have another fantastic event. Cancer Research UK – held with “Pretty Muddy” and 5k and 10k races over the weekend of 8th/9th July.

Great North Run – this year is held on Sunday 10th September Other events in October and November include the Heaton Harriers Cross Country and the Movember race (this is for men’s testicular cancer research). For the first time in the events history we are holding the “Living North” event, this is usually held in Gosforth Park Race Course but the event management team have decided to bring it to the Newcastle’s Town Moor this year, so fingers and toes crossed for a very successful event. In our next edition I will bring you up to date on our environmental projects and how our events have faired. Kevin Batey Town Moor Superintendent

COURTESY OF NEWCASTLE/GATESHEAD INITIATIVE MELA 2017

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Nick Forbes finished his citation of Sir Leonard by saying: “His vision for Newcastle is one that rises to the challenge of an aging population, changing public expectations, advances in healthcare and the need for continued investment in local public services. Improving outcomes for patients and their families has always been Sir Len’s primary concern. He has shown real commitment and heart for vulnerable people in the city”.

A Proud Historical Moment in Time for The Freemen of the City O

n 13th December 2016, Newcastle upon Tyne City Council awarded Sir Leonard Fenwick CBE, Chairman of the Stewards Committee,” Freedom of the City”, the highest honour the City Council can bestow upon a citizen. The nomination was moved by Nick Forbes, Leader of the Council, and seconded by Councillor Joyce McCarty, Deputy Leader of the Council. The Certificate was presented to Sir Leonard by The Lord Mayor, Councillor Hazel Stephenson. Paying tribute to Sir Leonard, Nick Forbes highlighted how Sir Leonard had been born and bred in West Jesmond, Newcastle, attending John Marley Secondary School in the city, before joining the NHS as a Management trainee at the age of 18, resulting in Sir Leonard being the longest serving hospital Chief Executive, responsible for 9000 staff and a budget of one billion pounds each year. 12 Freemen Magazine

The citation went on to explain that on his watch Newcastle Hospitals Trust had received the accolade of “ Best in Britain”. His leadership being renowned for producing service excellence, building positive relationships with the public, partners and healthcare staff. The Leader of the Council pointed out that Sir Leonard played a momentous role in developing healthcare services for the people of Newcastle, successfully delivering radical changes, undaunted by the prospect of endless reforms to ensure the public receive optimal care and treatment in the state of the art facilities. Credit was given to Sir Leonard’s ability to engineer the development of a £30m Cardiothoracic Centre of Excellence, that is one of the top five international institutions for the quality of services provided.

As Chair of Newcastle’s Freemen, Board Member of NE1 and a Charitable Trustee, Sir Len’s leadership has enhanced the vibrancy of Newcastle’s economic, social and cultural life. He has overseen improvements to footpaths, highways, lighting, cycling and drainage on the

Town Moor so that it can be used as a community resource providing recreational space for the people of the city to enjoy. Colleagues have praised “an honest, highly intelligent man who is passionate about our city and its institutions. He has a legendary capacity for hard work in his pursuit of excellent healthcare for the people of the North East”. “Freedom of the City” would express our gratitude for the humanity of a man whose work makes the city and the region a better place”.

One hundred Years Old and still Growing On Saturday 30th September North Highbury Allotment Association celebrated its Centennial Anniversary. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Linda Wright, attended with Sir Leonard Fenwick, David Wilson and Kevin Batey representing the Freemen. Sir Len and the Lord Mayor signed the original NHAA minutes book, provided by the Chairman of NHAA, Michael Howard.

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All the Fun of the Fair:

Christmas Guild 2016

135 Years of the Hoppings

Photo of Swearing in group with the Lord Mayor

Courtesy of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museum

airs have been held on the Town Moor since the 12th century and The Hoppings started in 1882. Horse racing had been staged on the Town Moor since 1731. From 1751, Race Week was the week nearest Midsummer Day and featured the Northumberland Plate. The race meeting was very popular and in 1882 was transferred to Gosforth Park where it is still held. The races were replaced on the Town Moor by the North of England Temperance Festival which set out to be an alternative to the debauched revelry of the races. The festival eventually became known as The Hoppings. No one knows the origin of the name although in might relate to the dancing which took place. The role of the Temperance Movement decreased over the years but there are still no sales of alcohol at The Hoppings. There is an exhibition at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle charting the history of The Hoppings. Information boards describe how the fair has developed and specifically covers the history of the Town Moor, the Temperance Movement, the Freemen and the Showmen and their way of life. Descriptions of the rides and sideshows and how they have changed bring back many memories. There is also an excellent display of coin operated amusement machines including pinball and other games of skill. These were finally phased out in 1971 when 14 Freemen Magazine

decimal currency was introduced. They still work and you can have a try. Old pennies can be purchased at five for £1 or you can bring along any that are still in your sock drawer. These machines are on loan from a private collection. There are some bendy mirrors, hooking ducks (sadly without water) and lovely displays of old prizes (remember the chalk dogs?), paintings and photos. The exhibition is at the Discovery Museum and was originally due to finish on Sunday 1st October. However the curator has stated that since the 3rd June, when the exhibition first opened, up until the end of September they have had in excess of 122,500 visitors to the museum, many of whom have enjoyed “All the Fun of the Fair”. Therefore due to overwhelming popular demand, the museum has decided to extend the exhibition, with a new end-date of Sunday 4th March 2018.

he Christmas Guild held on Monday 16th January 2017 was presided over by Lord Mayor Cllr Hazel Stephenson, her second of the three Guilds in the Lord Mayors calendar. 12 new Freemen were sworn in.

Ridley, son of Matthew White Ridley. Hannah Carr-Ellison, daughter of John MacMurrough Carr-Ellison. Harry John Carr-Ellison, son of John MacMurrough Carr Ellison.

Daniel Thomas Rogerson, Coopers. Samantha Louise Rogerson, Coopers. Kyle Richard HallBrown, Ropemakers. Stuard Ronald Ferguson, Cordwainers.Michael Kenneth Ferguson, Cordwainers. Andrew Gordon Ferguson, Cordwainers. Lesley Anne Avery, Joiners. Barbara Maxine Avery, Joiners. William Elliott Proctor, Plumbers. Susan Jane Atkinson, Shipwrights. Mary Elizabeth Earley, Smiths. Ross Graham Foggin, Taylors.

Easter Guild 2017

Merchant Adventurers 800th. On Wednesday 4th January 2017 a special swearing in ceremony took place in the Guildhall to celebrate the 800th Anniversary of King John awarding a Charter to The Company of Merchants. Many Stewards from various Guilds of the Freemen of Newcastle along with Lord Mayor Hazel Stephenson attended the celebration.

The museum is open 10 until 4 on weekdays and 11 until 4 at weekends. Admission to the exhibition and the museum is free although donations are appreciated. The Museum is in the old Co-op office building on Blandford Place just off St James Boulevard. It contains the collection previously housed in the museum in the Exhibition Park including the Turbinia, the first ship powered by steam turbines. It also has very good displays on north east life over the years and of course a café.

The Easter Guild held on Monday 24th April 2017 was presided over by Lord Mayor Cllr Hazel Stephenson, her third and final Guild in her term of office. The Lord Mayor was presented with cut glass crystal by Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chairman of the Stewards Committee, on behalf of the Freemen to acknowledge that her year of office covered the 800th Anniversary celebrating Mayoralty and Freemen and in appreciation for her enthusiastic support of the Freemen of Newcastle.

Photo of Swearing in with the Lord Mayor

The following were sworn in as Freemen of Newcastle. Martin Clayton, son of Carl Frank Clayton. Kristina Ann Clayton, daughter of Carl Frank Clayton. Rose Alice Shaw, daughter of Sir Ralph Harry Carr-Ellison. Matthew White

14 new Freemen were sworn in. Martin Wood, Goldsmiths. Michael Cook, Coopers. Jack Gummerson, Master Mariners. Jane Elizabeth Allen, Plumbers. Rachael Heron, Ropemakers. Thomas Petrie, Shipwrights. Kirsten Amanda Taylor, Weavers. Tracey Powers, Weavers. Melanie Louise White, Smiths. Kerry Anne-Marie Whiteside, Smiths. Matthew Lannigan, Bakers and Brewers. Ryan Bowlt, Coopers. Jamie William Harding, Shipwrights. Thomas Edward Harding, Shipwrights.

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June 2017

Lord Mayor’s Service

A private ceremony was held in the

The swearing in of the new Lord Mayor (cllr Linda Wright) of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne took place on Wednesday 24th May 2017 at the Church of St Thomas the Martyr, St Mary’s Place, Newcastle upon Tyne. The service was taken by The Reverend Catherine Lack and was well attended by many city dignitaries.

Lord Mayor’s Silver Gallery at The Civic Centre on 26th June 2017 to accommodate the Swearing in of Annie Boutland, Shipwrights, whilst in the City having travelled over from Australia.

St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus Building work continues at pace with an anticipated completion time of May 2018.

There are to be forty nine Holy Jesus bungalows initially earmarked for Freemen aged fifty and above. Thirty six will be one bedroom bungalows of which three will be designed for the benefit of disabled residents. There will be a further thirteen two bedroomed bungalows and three of those will be designed also for the benefit of disabled residents. Further qualifying criteria for a bungalow and contact details will be reported as the information becomes available.

Nuns Moor Following the clearance of the allotments on the site work continues to bring the land up to an acceptable standard to return the area for the grazing of cattle.

Kenton Road and Grandstand Road junction. Traffic improvement works have now been completed by the Council at this junction. In addition the opportunity was taken at the same time to implement flood relief safeguards, which the Freemen were happy to assist in this environmental improvement to the area, by agreeing to the necessity to fence off areas of the moor on both sides of the junction to grazing. Initially there was the need to remove the Elizabethan fencing to allow contractors access which has now been re-instated. Spraying of the weeds that have taken a hold during the construction work has been done which should allow the re-seeding of the area to quickly enhance the appearance of the junction.

Annual Church Service. The Freemen’s annual church service at St Nicholas Cathedral was held on Sunday 7th May 2017, commencing with the Lord Mayor (Cllr Hazel Stephenson) and Freemen walking in customary procession around the Cathedral. As usual a coach had been provided for attending Freemen leaving Moor Bank Lodge in good time for the service. A supply of robes were also made available for use on the day to add to the pageantry of the occasion The service was taken by The Dean, Christopher Dalliston, with refreshments being served after the service. Freemen support is always welcome.

Contractors have commenced placing the boundary Elizabethan fencing around the site that is now synonymous with Town Moor land.

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Prior to the service the departing Lord Mayor (Cllr Hazel Stephenson) in welcoming the new Lord Mayor to the role, mentioned how much she had enjoyed working alongside The Freemen during her year in office. The new Lord Mayor, interestingly, followings in the footsteps of her mother, councillor Belle Nixon, who twenty years ago was also Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne. The Lord Mayor’s husband, Colin, will be her Consort during her year in office.

“Hobnobbing with a Freeman” The administration office at Moor Bank Lodge was recently informed of the passing away of Stuart T Cato, who became a Freeman of the city in 1956. Stuart was brought up in Derby, after school he trained to be a baker, leading him to securing a job with Meredith & Drew (now United Biscuits) in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, where he was part of a team inventing recipes. In the earlier years of production, recipes tended to be the work of one person, with a new recipe possibly being put initially on file and not being produced till years later. This was most certainly the case for two well known products, Cheddars and Hobnobs. Cheddars was Stuart’s recipe and came into production whilst he was at United Biscuits, earning him the nickname of “Mr Cheddars” from family, friends and work colleagues. Hobnobs did not come into production for some eight years after Stuart had left United Biscuits, with him having been head hunted by Mars Confectionary. Stuart however did receive a phone call from an excolleague telling him that his recipe was used when Hobnobs were first launched. Another well known product, Krackawheat, was also Stuart’s recipe and as Technical Director for Mars Germany it was his team that produced Balisto, a popular wholemeal biscuit bar snack across much of Europe.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE TRADE GUILDS: Information from; British History Online.

Butchers There is an inrolement of an ordinary of this society in the archives of the corporation of Newcastle, dated July 20, 1621. This enjoins them to meet every year on Ash-Wednesday to choose their two wardens; that apprentices should serve at least eight years, five of which to expire before a second could be taken; that no brother should be partner with any foreigners called crockers, on a pain of forfeiting £5; that none should kill after nine o’clock on Saturday night, nor keep open shop after eight o’clock on Sunday morning; that no brother should buy,or seek any licence to kill fresh in Newcastle during Lent, without the general consent of the fellowship, on pain of forfeiting £5; that none should kill either at Lent or at any other time, within the liberties of the High Castle, “being in the County of Northumberland” on the like pain for each offence. But that any butcher, though not a brother, might expose good meat to sale in the market, from the hours of eight in the morning till four in the afternoon. February 9, 1713, they made an order to change the day of their head-meeting from Ash-Wednesday to the preceding Wednesday in every year. There is an order, that no free brother should blow a calf’s pluck, or any other part of a calf, except calf’s close-ear, nor any other goods but a cow’s udder, under a penalty of 6s 8d unforgiven. This society consists of above 80 members, of whom not more than 50 are meeting brothers. Their hall is on the south side of Black Friars. The annual income of the society does not exceed £40. Freemen Magazine 17

Notice Board

Diary Dates: Michaelmas Guild Monday 9th October 2017

Easter Guild Monday 9th April 2018

Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on Quayside, bottom of Dean Street)

Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards only) begins at 10.00am. At this particular meeting the Stewards Committee is democratically elected via ballot for the ensuing year.

Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards only) begins at 10.00am.

Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12.00 noon prompt.

You must be seated by 12.00 noon for the Open Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor.

You must be seated by 12.00 noon for the Open Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. The meeting concludes with new Freemen being called and if present being sworn in by the Lord Mayor. Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is served in the Merchant Adventurers Court.

Christmas Guild Monday 15th January 2018 Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on Quayside, bottom of Dean Street) Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards only) begins at 10.00am. Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12.00 noon prompt. You must be seated by 12.00 noon for the Open Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. The meeting concludes with new Freemen being called and if present being sworn in by the Lord Mayor. Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is served in the Merchant Adventurers Court.

Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12.00 noon prompt.

The meeting concludes with new Freemen being called and if present being sworn in by the Lord Mayor. Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is served in the Merchant Adventurers Court.

Freeman of Newcastle upon Tyne Annual Church Parade Sunday 13th May 2018 Held in the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas. Robing in the Cathedral Refectory at 9.30am for commencement of parade into the Cathedral at 9.45am with the Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne. All Newcastle upon Tyne Freemen are welcome. Should you need to borrow a robe there will be a small quantity available on the day. To assist on the day, parking will be available at Moor Bank Lodge and transport at 9.00am to and from the Cathedral will be provided.

Hoppings Fair Friday 22nd - 30th June 2018

Bereavements

Company Notices

William Martin Fielding Nesham Barber Surgeons

Goldsmiths

Michael Roland Moat Bricklayers Geoffrey Alder Butchers Barry Atkinson Butchers William. H. (Bill) Loraine Cordwainers Elizabeth Elsie Scholes Coopers T Charlton House Carpenters Melanie Hemmans House Carpenters Margaret Robson Joiners Sandra Townsley Joiners Captain Rennison Shipley Millers Stuart T Cato Plumbers Alan Hugh Shaw Shipwrights Olive Lawson Shipwrights Winifred Lawson Shipwrights Joyce Taylor Shipwrights Arthur L Foggin Tailors James G Patterson Tailors

New Stewards

Annual Guild Days

Christine Clark Goldsmiths

Michaelmas Guild - the first Monday after Michaelmas Monday Christmas Guild - the first Monday after the 13th January Easter Guild - the first Monday after Easter Monday.

Matthew Yewell Smiths

18 Freemen Magazine

Stephen Miller Skinners and Glovers

At the 2017 Head Meeting of the Goldsmiths Company, Mr W.G.Frizzle stood down as Senior Steward after many years of selfless service. The Guild are grateful for all he has contributed both as a Senior Steward and as a long serving member of the Stewards Committee, we wish him well. Alan Bainbridge was elected, unopposed, to the position of Head Steward, with Mrs Christine Clark and Mrs Lesley Dixon taking on the roles of Junior Steward and Deputy Steward. Contact Details: Alan Bainbridge: bain@talktalk.net Mobile: 07894 986800 Christine Clark: john.chris@hotmail.com Lesley Dixon: lesleydixon9967@gmail.com The 2018 Head Meeting will be on Wednesday 25th April, venue to be arranged.

Skinners and Glovers Contact details for the Guild are: Colin William Angus: eaststand140@gmail.com Telephone: 0191 2421323

Tanners Meetings of The Tanners Guild will be held at: The Freemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hall Blackfriars Friars Street Newcastle upon Tyne Christmas Meeting 4th December 2017 commencing at 6.45pm. Head Meeting 2nd July 2018 commencing at 6.45pm. Members are requested to inform The Secretary of their attendance via email: tannersguild@mail.com or telephone 07988 533 855

Freemen Magazine 19

Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne Mr Kevin Batey, Moor Bank Lodge, Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4NL Tel: 0191 2615970 Email: admin@freemenofnewcastle.org Website: www.freemenofnewcastle.org http://www.facebook.com/groups/ freemenofnewcastle

COPYRIGHT: Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne. PUBLISHER: Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith Tel: 01325 304360 Email: sue.riney@btinternet.com