Issue 22 may 2018

ISSUE 22 May 2018

Contents 4-5 The Story of A Freeman 6-7 Town Moor Superintendent’s

magazine report 2018

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8-9 What’s Out There?

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Nuns Moor South Update

11

The Hoppings Fair

12-14 St. Mary Magdalene &

Holy Jesus Trust 15 A Brief summary of Blackfriars 16-20 News in Brief

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21-24 Guild Meetings 25

Newcastle upon Tyne Trade Guilds

26

Guild Diary Dates

26-28 Additional Diary Dates 29

Grainger Market Visit

30

Visitor’s Tales

31

Notice Board

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Front cover photograph taken by Kevin Batey (Town Moor Superintendent) Guild Swearing in, Stewards Committee, Remembrance Sunday, Bergen Tree and New Year’s Eve celebrations photographs taken by Steve Brock.

Official Photographer, Steve Brock Photography. - Copies available from www.stevebrock.co.uk Tel 0191 2863430

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Foreword As guardians of our most famous City lung, we can reflect upon the passage of time – amazingly no less than thirty years since The Newcastle upon Tyne Town Moor Act 1988 was making its way through Parliament – with great pride as to our administration and effective day to day custody of this truly remarkable environmental asset.

In particular, dynamic partnership working with Newcastle City Council is an essential pre-requisite to ongoing success and I wish to acknowledge

what we have in this regard, particularly when there is such an ever growing pressure on the scope and priorities that are evolving in a hard pressed local government arena.

Also too, if I may make a special mention of the now nearing completion of 49 new bungalows on the St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus estate.

Do not hesitate to express an interest on behalf of anyone who is in need.

As always, feedback greatly welcomed not only in relation to this publication but any issues in relation to the Freelage and all this entails.

Sir Leonard Fenwick CBE Chairman of the Stewards Commitee

Editorial N

o apology is offered to “eagled-eyed” readers of the Freemen Magazine, who have noticed that, the photograph on the front cover of this issue, of cattle on The Town Moor, was in fact also printed within the pages of the previous issue.

The duplication of the photograph is not an oversight, nor an attempt to fill pages quickly and easily with little thought being offered as to content. The purpose of the photograph is to remind readers that The Town Moor, often taken for granted, is very much reliant on ensuring that herbage rights are upheld, as stated and protected by an Act of Law.

Within The Newcastle upon Tyne Town Moor Act 1988 it states: “The Town Moor shall be maintained as an area of open space in the interests of the inhabitants of the city, so that it shall continue both to satisfy the herbage right and to afford air and exercise for the enjoyment of the public; and accordingly,

subject to the provisions of this Act, no person shall enclose, encroach upon or build upon any part of the Town Moor.”

Freemen can be assured that the above extract from The Town Moor Act is regarded as of paramount importance when management of the Town Moor is discussed by the Stewards Committee, whether it is the actual day to day maintenance of the Moor, or offering consideration to requests for use of the Moor, either on a temporary or permanent basis.

With regard to the articles within this issue of the Magazine, once again many thanks to the Editorial Team for their time and effort. The Team is always open to suggestions, articles or photographs relevant to The Freemen of the City.

If you feel that this is something you would like to become involved in, we do very much wish to hear from you! (contact details are on the back cover, just preface your communication with “Editorial Group”)

Freemen Magazine

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The Story of a Freeman

Courtesy of Newcastle City Library,Local Studies Collection

H

iscock isn’t a common name in the North East of England. In fact, family history sites on the Internet show that most Hiscocks live in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. I didn’t know this when a distant relative of my father sent me details of our family tree showing that my father’s family originated in Dorset.

This was about twenty years ago, but my father had already died. I don’t think that he would have been pleased as he had a healthy distaste for all things southern. Many years later, after I retired, I did more research and even visited the area where my father’s family originated.

The first Hiscocks that we know about were Elizabeth and Solomon. Elizabeth was born in 1739 and her illegitimate son Solomon was born in Wimbourne St Giles in Dorset in 1756. Although Elizabeth later married Philip Brewer, Solomon did not take his name so it seems unlikely that he was Solomon’s father. If he had

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been, we would all have been Brewers.

The village where they lived is on the estate of the Earl of Shaftesbury, so I like to think that there might be some blue blood in the pedigree.

Solomon married Grace Tubbs in 1777 and they lived in Witchampton in Dorset where Solomon was a miller. They had five children. Solomon died in 1829 in Nappers Mite, an almshouse in Dorchester (now a coffee shop). The graveyard where he was buried is now a Quikfit.

Solomon and Grace’s second son was also called Solomon. He was born around 1780 and worked as a sawyer.

He married Mary Kerley in 1801 and they had six children. Mary was Irish and the name Kerley was used as a middle name in later generations of the family.

Around 1806, the family moved to Woolwich in London with Solomon’s brothers Edward and Stephen and

their families. The brothers worked in the dockyard where shipbuilding was flourishing as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. However in 1814 Solomon and his family returned to Dorset and settled in Blandford Forum again working as a sawyer. His brothers remained in London and Solomon spent the rest of his life in Blandford Forum.

James Hiscock was the third of Solomon and Grace’s children. He was born in Woolwich and returned to Dorset with his parents. He married Ellen Leaf in 1827 and they moved to Poole in Dorset in 1834 and then between 1838 and 1841 they moved to the north east settling at Dents Hole Byker. Presumably they travelled by boat and we will never know who or what persuaded them to get on that boat. Dents Hole (now St Peter’s Basin but then considerably less salubrious) was the location of boat building businesses as well as the winter anchorage of the Norwegian whaling fleet. According to the censuses, James worked as a sawyer and then a tanner.

James and Ellen brought five children with them from Dorset and had a further eight. James John, their second child, was born in 1830 and became a boat builder. He married Emily Tomkinson, they had six children and lived in Byker all their lives although Emily died in the Holy Jesus Hospital, then an almshouse for Freemen. So James John was the first Shipwright and Freeman in my line of the family.

John Hiscock was the fourth of James John and Emily’s children and was born in 1860. He worked as a boat builder then a waterman. He married Margaret Fryer the daughter of the publican at the Ship Inn Byker and they had ten children.

John became a freeman in 1907.

My grandfather, John Hiscock, was the eldest of John and Margaret’s children, born in 1885 in Byker. He married Jennie Fawdon and after a period living in Manchester they returned to Byker.

John worked as a waterman then a wharfman (essentially a docker) then finally his dream job as a drayman for Jimmy Deuchar. He and Jennie had eight children and were extremely poor through the 1920s and 1930s.

They left Byker in the late 1940s living first in Eldon Square Newcastle where my grandmother was probably the caretaker or housekeeper of a property belonging to Jimmy Deuchar, then in Blakelaw in Newcastle then Westerhope.

John became a Freeman in 1935.

My father Robert William (Bob) Hiscock was born in 1920 and became a Freeman in 1949. His elder brother John had moved to the south east many years before and was never sworn in.

Their other siblings were all girls and had died before women were admitted to the Freelage. However there are other Hiscocks out there carrying on the tradition and we are all related.

Written by Barbara Nesbitt

Freemen Magazine

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Town Moor Superintendent’s magazine report 2018 H

aving suffered such a cold wet start to the year and the weather remaining dreadful, with snow continuing to fall into mid-March the Town Moors were at the point of saturation. This impacted upon the start of our grazing season which had to be postponed until the 12th of April, something that has not happened in well over a decade. From this day our graziers were asked to decant their cattle with a phased approach. At the date of writing (15th May) we now have 492 cattle grazing the Town Moors.

The Stewards Committee grazed 40 cattle on Hunters Moor last season and I can report that the herd did very well, hence as a result we have increased the number to graze this season to 50 on Hunters Moor.

Environmental projects.

I can report that the Elizabethan fencing installation around former Intake 3 (Nuns Moor South) has now been completed.

The capping of the site task with sub soil is also underway. When this is complete we will be installing a very comprehensive drainage scheme into the Moor. Once the drains have settled and conditions are right, topsoil will be led onto the site and spread in readiness to seed.

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We have also installed 200 metres of new drainage on the Town Moor, this being part of our on going maintenance plan for the Race Week Festival site.

There has also been some works undertaken to relocate a water hydrant to a more accessible area.

Fly tipping & rubbish An on going problem, which unfortunately is only getting worse!!

Nuns Moor North has always been an on going concern but over the last 12 months things have escalated. With City Council cutbacks and tipping charges more expensive we are finding more and more items being illegally dumped on Town Moor land. Items such as TV’s, 3 piece suites, kitchen units and other household equipment are now becoming a regular sight on Nuns Moor. On one occasion Town Moor Staff picked and filled 17 wheelie bin liner bags of glass and plastic bottles, along with other takeaway containers these are a problem for us and the cattle that graze this area. Sadly the task is a weekly challenge to follow through and is very time consuming.

Events Once again our calendar is full for the coming year. During May the Town

Moor staff and myself will once again be of preparing and marking out the Moor for the annual visit of the Hoppings.

I believe that all positions are now booked and with the addition of new attractions the Fair continues to evolve making it without any shadow of doubt Europe’s No 1 travelling Fair ground, a credit to everyone involved.

alternative site on Nuns Moor at Walter Terrace, which the Pride have inspected and are happy to use. The new site shall enable the event to evolve and have the infrastructure required to make this event a huge success. The Stewards Committee have agreed to install a new 7 metre public entrance on Barrack Road and upgrade the water supply to the site, which Northumbria Water have agreed to assist us with. We are also extending the width of the stobbed entrance leading off Walter Terrace to ease the access and egress of articulated trucks etc.

August sees the return of the Moscow

Cancer research – Race for Life

State Circus and also the Mela.

returns to the Town moor in early July.

September, we host the annual Great

The Northern Pride usually follows this event, however the Pride approached the Stewards Committee regarding adding a huge tented structure to safe guard their event against the elements.

The tented structure needs to be secured with 140 five foot metal spikes that are driven into the ground to a depth of up to 4 feet, this is the same depth as our drainage system therefore we cannot take the risk of shattering the infrastructure. The Stewards Committee have offered the Pride an

North Run.

October and November – Heaton Harriers Cross Country Race and Memorial Marathon followed by the Movember 5k run for testicular cancer.

Until the next issue, I hope the sun makes an extended appearance and you all have an amazing summer!

Kevin Batey Town Moor Superintendent.

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“What’s out there?”

T

he Town Moor isn’t a place one normally associates with astronomical research.

Not these days anyway. There’s a bit too much street lighting for a start, but back in the 70s, when I was a teenager living in Spital Tongues, conditions were considerably better and I spent many happy hours out on the moors, looking up at the sky and trying to figure it all out.

As an astronomer, one of the most frequently asked questions is “Have you ever seen a UFO?”, to which I truthfully answer “Yes”.

Now, most serious scientists and astronomers won’t touch the subject of UFOs with a barge pole fearing professional suicide. However, I’ve seen a few unusual objects in my time which have left me puzzled, although not all have remained unidentified.

On 15 October 1995, at around 7.30 pm, I was walking our dog, Dilys, on the Town Moor. It was cold and dark, and the sky was crystal clear. We reached the half-way mark where the footpaths cross and then turned back towards home. I paused to look up in the direction of the constellation Cygnus, which was standing high in the southern sky. And

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that’s when I saw it – a bright triangular patch of fuzzy white light appeared below the star Vega and then shot across the sky. This “light” promptly executed a ninety degree turn without pausing and then zoomed off into the night, never to be seen again. I’ve spent the last twenty years puzzling over that event and I still don’t have an explanation.

There have been many sightings over Newcastle Town Moor and the surrounding areas, and a quick trawl of the internet will turn up dozens of similar reports.

For instance, on the morning of 18 June 2013, ‘Rob’ and his three workmates were travelling on the Great North Road when they sighted a “silvery grey ovoid, cylinder type object. It had no discernible features. No windows or seams, etc., just totally smooth, although it did look a little blurry or hazy…”

This sounds interesting, but sadly the account is incomplete. It omits key details such as their direction of travel, or the names and addresses of the other witnesses.

On 27 February 2016, the Newcastle Evening Chronicle reported a series of UFO sightings across the region, all of which

defy an obvious cause, such as air traffic or astronomical phenomena.

So, if you do see something in the sky over the Town Moor, what do you do? First of all, you need to figure out if it’s one of the usual culprits.

Most observations do have a logical explanation – usually aircraft flying in and out of Newcastle Airport or the police helicopter or (worst of all) Chinese lanterns, which usually appear in twos and threes, and drift silently across the night sky in a very eerie manner.

Aircraft arriving at Newcastle Airport are frequently confused with UFOs. As a general rule, if you spot an unusual object in the sky, you should immediately check for any navigation lights, which flash on and off roughly once a second. If you can see these lights, then the object is almost certainly manmade – probably the last flight from Alicante or Torremolinos.

Then there is a special group of communication satellites called the Iridium constellation, which are essential for mobile phones and pagers. Every now and again, the solar sails which power an Iridium satellite will reflect the Sun’s light towards a very specific spot on the ground. If you happen to look up at the sky at just the right time, then you might see a so-called Iridium flare, an incredibly bright point of light travelling slowly across the sky, which fades away to nothing after fifteen to twenty seconds. Web sites such as heavens-above.com will tell you exactly when and where an Iridium flare will appear above your location.

Another object commonly mistaken for a UFO is the International Space Station, which orbits the Earth once every ninety minutes. As big as a football pitch, the ISS is easy to spot although, again, you need to be in the right place at the right time to see it.

Several of the brighter astronomical objects are commonly mistaken for UFOs. There’s an urban myth describing an unnamed police officer who allegedly chased a UFO along the entire length of the Great North Road, although the mysterious object turned out to be nothing more than the planet Venus.

Falling space debris probably accounts for more UFO sightings than any other phenomena. Way back on New Year’s Eve in 1978, I was walking home across the Leazes Moor in Newcastle when a bright light appeared from behind a bank of clouds to the north east. It was as big and as bright as the full moon, and with a long trail extending behind it covering half the sky. I recorded the event in my journal, but sadly, nobody else had witnessed the sighting and so I thought nothing more of it for many, many years.

Phenomena like this are fairly common in the sky and there was no suggestion that this was the work of “little green men” or an army of Martian invaders.

However, in Christmas 2015 I was researching a lecture on meteors when I came across a report dated 31 December 1978. It described a falling object, which had not been a meteor or a bolide after all. Instead, it had been a piece of a failed Soviet rocket, specifically one of the engines, which had re-entered the atmosphere over northern Europe. Several other observers had recorded the object’s fiery demise, now given its own designation, RD-79-01, and that this piece of space debris had fallen to Earth over a remote farm in Stolzenau, Hanover in Germany, much to the annoyance of the farmer and his wife, Hilde and Friedhelm Schumacher, who were on their way to a New year’s Eve party. Later they discovered that this object had missed their house by only two hundred meters. The debris remained buried in a snowfield for 2 days until it was recovered by the German Authorities and later shipped off to the United States for further analysis.

So if you do see something unusual over the Town Moor, or anywhere else for that matter, make a note of it. Record the date and time, and your location, and the names of anyone else who saw it. Maybe post something on the internet and see if someone else saw the same thing. You might not see the vanguard of an invading alien fleet but… you never know.

David Hughes is the Senior Steward of the Coopers Company. He also teaches Astronomy and Cosmology for the Worker’s Educational Association, WEA.

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Nuns Moor South Update I

n 2015 a decision was made to clean up the 12 acre Nuns Moor Allotments in Fenham, with the existing allotment holders voluntarily moving out, thereby enabling work to commence on the site which not only had been blighted by inappropriate structures, vandalism and break-ins, but also required the necessity to clear toxic waste from the land.

The time consuming process of clearing the site of toxic waste has now been completed and contractors have installed the Elizabethan fencing synonymous with Town Moor land on the south and east boundaries of the site.

A 1.8 metre high metal powder coated green fencing is to be erected on the west boundary of the site, reflecting the standard installed to the northern boundary of Nuns Moor Park.

As work progressed on the site, an approach was made by Newcastle City Council, requesting assistance from the Freemen in the development of a new purpose-built 2,800 seat stadium being built off Scotswood Road, for the Newcastle Eagles’ basketball team.

The Council requested that 45,000 tons of the sub-soil being removed from the new stadium site be distributed over Nuns Moor South. It was agreed that

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the deposit of the sub-soil would be spread over the Nuns Moor site to a maximum increased level of 406.4mm, with a further 203.2mm of topsoil.

Since November 2017 there has been a steady stream of 20 ton wagons transporting the sub-soil to the Moor.

The progress has been closely managed to ensure the quality of the sub-soil is suitable for the purpose of the Moor and when necessary, transportation has been suspended in adverse weather conditions to ensure the ground does not become too compacted due to the heavy machinery required on site.

In addition the topography of the site is being observed, to ensure that the increased level of the site on completion is still a true reflection of the original contour of the Moor. New drainage is to be introduced on the 12 acre site and grazing reintroduced by 2020.

PICTURES courtesy of Evening Chronicle

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St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus Trust

After nearly two and half years, an audacious rebuilding scheme on the St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus site on Claremont Road, Newcastle, is nearing completion.

At a cost well in excess of £5,000,000 the original Holy Jesus bungalows, built in the 1930’s, primarily intended for occupation

by Freemen, have been demolished and are being replaced with the construction of forty nine new “state of the art” units, to go alongside the existing seventy nine St Mary Magdalene residences. Of the forty nine bungalows, thirty six will be one bed properties, suitable for either distinct or couple occupancy, of which three have been specifically designed to assist residents with disabilities. The remaining thirteen bungalows are two bedroom properties, with again three of the properties being adapted to assist disability living. The Charity is looking 12 Freemen Magazine

forward to achieving full occupancy of the new bungalows and welcoming new residents to the site.

Miss Sharon Hepple, General Manager, at St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus, is keen to point out that the standard of the new bungalows is a reflection of the benchmark for quality that the organisation endeavours to promulgate.

The bungalows are gas centrally heated and meet home energy efficiency standards. Perhaps one of the most welcomed re-designs from the previous bungalows is the change now seen in the bathrooms. Separate walk in shower facilities now replace the previous arrangement, where to have a shower, the resident had to negotiate stepping into the bath.The kitchens are already equipped with an integrated cooker and hob and can accommodate other standard “white goods” such as washing machines, fridges etc, which a resident will be required to provide. Residents will also have, in general terms, the opportunity to furnish the properties to their taste. The grounds of the site are maintained by the Trust, but residents can still add additional colour with their own flower baskets and pots if they so wish.

There is parking on site for residents and their guests, with many residents already appreciating the close proximity to the City centre and hospitals. A visitor’s flat is also available should a resident have family or friends visiting from outside the area.

Residents are allowed “pets” that can be easily cared for on the understanding that they would have to make their own arrangements for caring for any animals, at times where they may well be away on holiday, in hospital etc.

It should be borne in mind that the site is intended to provide independent living and that there are no care staff employed by the Trust, although there is a small domestic team on site. Any requirements for personal care or additional support to allow a resident to continue to live independently must be provided by either family or external agencies. However, to help provide peace of mind in an emergency situation, each bungalow is fitted with alarm equipment linked to a 24 hour response centre. This service is provided by a local company, Ostara.

The Trust has a resident Church of England Chaplain who, in addition to offering spiritual support, organises social outings. The former care home building, which still remains, closing in 2012, is now the location of the Trust’s Administration Office and is also the venue for many of the social activities held on site. Also housed within this building are cafe/ dining facilities, which are available to residents and guests.

The Trust employs a resident handyman and also have a list of approved contractors that they work with for any additional maintenance/improvement requirements. Further to provide peace of mind to the residents a security firm patrols the site between 8.00pm - 6.00am every night.

In recent months as completion, and in particular, of the new bungalows has neared, various questions have been raised endeavouring to secure relevant information with regard to financial assessment as to eligibility for consideration.

Sharon is keen to make it clear that every application is judged on its own merits and that to put in print financial guidelines could dissuade potential residents from applying. It would be wrong for interested parties to assume that they have to be penniless to be accepted. Likewise it would be wrong

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however at this time only 10 are from Freemen. Many introductions to apply for a property come by word of mouth, or via GP/health professionals and Social Services.

to presume that an applicant must have a sufficient private income to meet their “maintenance contribution” ie.rent, as some residents are already in receipt of state housing benefits.

The procedure to apply is very straightforward and totally confidential.

A potential resident can contact Sharon initially for an informal chat, if Sharon feels that there is a possibility that the Trust can help she will then send out an Application Form. Once the form is returned, Sharon shall arrange a visit to the applicant’s home, with a view to discussing individual requirements in more detail. Applications are then put forward to the Board of Trustees for their consideration and it is they who decide who will be offered a property. The Board comprises 3 Trustees nominated by the Stewards Committee; 3 Trustees nominated by Newcastle City Council; 3 co-opted Trustees who have a particular skill, knowledge or area of expertise relevant to the scope and purpose of the charity and finally 1 Trustee nominated

by The Bishop of Newcastle.

Should an applicant not be successful on initial application their name remains on the waiting list and regular contact is maintained with the applicant to determine if their circumstances have changed or whether they wish to remain/ be removed from the waiting list.

Interest is most distinctly on the increase by potential applicants and a busy time is ahead for Sharon as there are 40-50 applicants awaiting home visits, 14 Freemen Magazine

Existing residents, who initially had to move out of their old Holy Jesus bungalows into St Mary Magdalene bungalows, whilst the development proceeded, will be offered first choice of the new bungalows. Whilst some residents are very keen to return or keep their options open, some are content to stay where they are, so there should be no assumption that the new bungalows are already taken.

It is anticipated that the building contractors will gradually hand over the site in “blocks” as units are completed, the surrounding area suitably landscaped and all health and safety measures met. In this regard a timescale of April through to early /mid Summer is being tentatively mentioned. In the first tranche of completed bungalows it is hoped to have available “show homes” for viewing.

There is no doubt that these new units shall prove to be very popular. However the Trust does have the flexibility to offer these properties to non Freemen if there are not enough Freemen applicants.

The message must therefore be contact Sharon at the Trust if you have the slightest interest, don’t delay, as an initial casual confidential enquiry could literally open the door to a new life.

CONTACT DETAILS Miss Sharon Hepple GENERAL MANAGER St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus Trust Claremont Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4NN Tel: 0191 2697920 Email: st.marymagdalene@btconnect.com

A Brief summary of BLACKFRIARS A

group of Dominicans set up a friary in Newcastle in 1238/9, and as they wore black cloaks, they were nicknamed the Black Friars.

The building was built by Sir Peter Scott and his son Nicholas on a site donated by three sisters about 1250. They surrounded it with orchards and gardens for growing their own fruit and vegetables.

In 1265 the Town walls were built right through their gardens and they were given a key to a door in the wall so that they could get into their back garden. The Friars had decent accommodation around the cloister garth, a secluded square garden. Royalty heard of this and became regular visitors. In 1322 King Edward lll and his wife Isabella stayed for a fortnight’s holiday!

However in 1539 King Henry Vlll decided that he had had enough of monasteries and Friaries and closed the lot! Blackfriars was stripped of its valuables which were sold off for the King’s coffers and the buildings were sold to the Mayor of Newcastle. The church itself was demolished and the recovered materials were used to construct the first lighthouse at Tynemouth, along with the High and Low Lights at North Shields. In 1552 most of the buildings were leased to nine Companies of Freemen for a yearly rent of 42 shillings, with each Company paying a ninth. The Companies were: Bakers & Brewers, Butchers, Cordwainers, Fullers & Dyers, Saddlers, Skinners & Glovers, Smiths, Tanners and Tailors.

Over the years the Companies repaired and improved the buildings until their prosperity diminished due to the Municipal Corporations

Act of 1835 reducing their importance. As years passed by the Companies struggled to maintain and repair the buildings which became dilapidated.

In 1951 the fabric of the building was in serious disrepair and the Freemen handed over their rights to the building to the City. Demolition was suggested but was vigorously opposed by the Freemen.

Eventually in 1963 the City converted the building into an exhibition and education centre, then in 1974, the newly formed Tyne and Wear County Council, the City, Department of the Environment and the English Tourist Board decided to rescue Blackfriars.

The Smiths Hall was retained for the Freemen and is now called the Freemen’s Hall, which had its own original entrance built in 1679, being restored in 1803, 1823 and 1926 by the Smiths Company. The hall fittings consist of a Steward’s bench and desk, a large round table with a wrought iron enclosure rail and numbered seats. There is also a fine carved wooden fireplace dating from about 1775.

After refurbishment, the building was officially opened by the Queen Mother in 1981 and now in addition to the Freemen’s Hall, there are craft workshops, a restuarant and an exhibition of the history of Blackfriars.

The Dominicans occupied the building for a little over 300 years and are now located on New Bridge Street. The Freemen have occupied it for over 460 years and Companies still hold their meetings there.

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News in Brief City of Newcastle upon Tyne Remembrance Sunday 12th November 2017.

The Memorial Service took place at the City War Memorial, Old Eldon Square, on Blackett Street.

The Civic party of the parade assembled in Brunswick Methodist Church Hall, a short march from the War Memorial, in readiness for the observation of two minutes silence at 11.00am, indicated by one round of gunfire from the guns of 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery.

The service was led by The Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, with a reading by Rabbi Lipsey.

During the wreath laying a Lament was played

by The City of Newcastle and Tyneside Scottish Pipe Bands, led by the Senior Drum Major of Tyneside Scottish Pipe Band Ian Alexander, also Senior Steward of The Tanners. (See picture below)

Service, other support services to the area such as St John Ambulance and many faith groups.

Following the service The Lord Mayor took the salute of the parade as it marched past the dais erected at Grey’s Monument.

For the “historians”, Old Eldon Square was designed by John Dobson and was part of the 1825-40 reconstruction of Newcastle city centre.

The war memorial was designed by Charles Leonard Hartwell and unveiled by Earl Haig in 1923.

Made of Portland stone, a limestone, quarried on the the Isle of Portland, Dorset, the pedestal has a different relief on each of the four sides.

They are: North: the words “ Memory Lingers Here” above a bronze sculptured wreath.

South: a sculptured picture of a lion below the dates 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.

The Lord Mayor Cllr Linda Wright and Mrs Susan Winfield OBE DL The Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, laid the first two poppy wreaths. Further wreaths were laid by the Armed Forces, Royal British Legion, Sir Leonard Fenwick on behalf of The Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne, further community dignitaries, Northumbria Police, Fire

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East: a bronze relief of Justice displaying Lady Justice holding the scales alongside two grieving women.

West: a bronze relief of Peace, displaying a woman with a child and the Angel of Peace. On top is a large bronze statue of Saint George, the patron saint of infantrymen and cavalrymen.

it easy to view the entertainment, especially for children, who quickly lost interest. However the fireworks display at the end of the performance did receive rave reviews from the public.

Both Newcastle City Council and Newcastle Gateshead Initiative have welcomed the feedback received from the event, which will be taken into account, as they plan for future New Year’s Eve offerings.

The Bergen Tree On Thursday 30th November 2017 at 6.00pm, following a traditional carol service inside the Grand Entrance to the Civic Centre, The Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne, Cllr Linda Wright, welcomed and invited The Mayor of Bergen, Marte Mjos Persen, to switch on the Civic Centre Christmas tree lights.

Each year the people of the Norwegian City of Bergen, one of Newcastle’s twin cities, presents Newcastle with a tree as a gift of goodwill. The custom originated after the Second World War as a symbol of peace and goodwill. The tree gifted on this occasion was from Martin Brandshaug, of Fana, close to Bergen. The tree had been growing in his garden since 1985.

Newcastle Guildhall It is pleasing to see that over recent months the City Council have been improving the exterior appearance of the Guildhall with the cleaning of the stone work, repainting of the exterior and replacement of broken windows. In part the building has now been covered in a fine meshed netting to stop the kittiwakes from using the exterior ledges for nesting.

Newcastle has a particular close bond with Norway as The Civic Centre was opened by The King of Norway, Olav V, in 1968.

New Years Eve early evening celebrations 2017: For 2017 a decision was taken by Newcastle City Council and the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, who organise the New Year’s Eve event, to move the early evening parade and fireworks show from what had become a traditional spectacle of the city centre, placing the display on the South East corner of the Town Moor, adjacent to Exhibition Park.

The area used was limited to 15000 spectators to view dancers, puppeteers and a uniquely sculptured bonfire, with the finale of a spectacular firework display.

The general public feedback though has not been as favourable as hoped with regard to the use of the Town Moor as the venue. Concerns were raised that the lack of lighting and muddy state of the Moor was an issue with regard to safety. Many spectators felt that the natural camber of the site did not lend itself to making

With regard to the interior of the building there remain concerns as to the state of the woodwork with the Stewards Committee understanding the Council is considering employing a specialist in damp, woodworm and rot to inspect and prepare a report on the state of the building.

In view of the fact that the Council has agreed to a business lease to enable a licensed cafe/bar to operate out of the ground floor of the building our Chairman has stressed, in no uncertain terms, on several occasions to the Council the concerns of the Freemen, with regard to the integrity of the building. (ie. fire safety precautions, structural alterations) A Council spokesperson has stated at present the new lessee has not submitted any plans with regards to proposed alterations nor a suggested timetable as to when the new venture might commence trading.

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PICTURES courtesy of Evening Chronicle

Blue House Roundabout It was in July 2016 that the City Council first submitted its outline designs to rebuild the roundabout expanding the proposed layout onto both Dukes Moor and The Little Moor.

The following month, due to significant public opposition, the Council accepted that it would have to review alternative proposals.

In March this year two new proposals, ie phases one and two, apropos the future of the Blue House Roundabout were presented by The Blue House Working Group to local residents at a public meeting held at The Newcastle School for Boys.

The Working Group is facilitated by an independent facilitator from the National Transport Planning Society and a Trustee of the National Charity to promote everyday walking.

John Dales, Transport Planner and Chair for the Group, said that phase one would see the roundabout “tightened up” by having just two lanes of circulating traffic on the roundabout as oppose to the present three lanes. This would improve road safety as motorists would have fewer lanes of traffic to be aware of. Plans indicate that a new shared walk and cycle pathway would be created travelling south, on Moor land inside the tree line on the Great North Road. In addition two new signalled crossings on a “two stage” basis near the roundabout would be introduced. One on Jesmond Dene Road and the other on Grandstand Road. A

shared walk and cycle pathway would also be constructed to run behind the Blue House, encroaching onto Dukes Moor, connecting The Great North Road with Grandstand Road.

Mr Dale went on to say that “phase two” would involve the removal of The Blue House, if traffic surveys after the implementation of “phase one”, recommended that the junction did indeed need to be made bigger. It was suggested that by demolishing the Blue House to make more room to expand the roundabout then this would minimise the amount of land to be taken from The Town Moor. The proposed walk and cycle pathways would remain the same, but more lanes could be accommodated on the roundabout.

Overall Mr Dale stated, “ the concern about the first design is it would mean less road traffic capacity.” It should be borne in mind that back in 2016 one of the problems highlighted by the Council was congestion on the junction. Mr Dale went on to say that the second design would make the design more “rational” by removing the Blue House and some of the trees.

Councillor Arlene Ainsley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Air Quality, has thanked the Working Group for their contribution saying that once the Council has fully reviewed the recommendations a formal announcement on the future of the junction will be made. At that time it is expected that the Council will approach The Freemen for their input and guidance

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At the beginning of March 2018 an opportunity arose to obtain some feedback from Mr West as to how successful he thought the event had been.

The first point Mr West was keen to express how was keen to express was how very grateful he was, especially to The Freemen and The City Council for “an exceptional proactive attitude”.

He stated that from his very first approach for assistance in staging the event he had felt that there was a united front and strong belief that the event should and could happen.

Saving Christmas!

November 2017 saw the lead phrase of “Christmas Starts Here” adorning advertising posters on various approaches to The Town Moor.

Earlier in the year an approach had been made to The Freemen and The City Council by Julian West, Managing Director and Publisher, of Living North Publishing Company to ascertain if a site could be provided to enable the Company to stage its Annual Christmas Fair from 2nd - 5th November.

This was to be the 12th Christmas Fair in the North East hosted by Living North. Since its inception the fair had been held at Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park. However the introduction of all weather racing to the course had meant that the venue could no longer provide facilities on the dates requested. The Freemen and The City Council were pleased to assist in keeping such an event within the city boundaries and a decision was taken to offer a site in Exhibition Park for the marquee, housing 250 exhibitors, whilst car parking facilities for visitors was provided on The Town Moor, SE area, adjacent to the Park.

It took just over two weeks to prepare the site, with the construction of a 5000 sq m marquee, kitchen/dining areas, heating, along with toilet facilities. One of the biggest and most costly challenges in the construction of the facilities was to find a floor suitable to not only take the weight of the stalls but also the large footfall passing through the marquee. In addition advice was given by Northumbria Police as to security regarding the venue, with the result being that the road in Exhibition Park was closed during the venue opening hours, due to the potential terrorism threat where there is a large gathering of people.

The marquee proved to be successful due to the ease of access for stallholders and visitors, especially disabled, as there were just one set of doors to navigate and the venue being all on one level. The only concern with the marquee was that even though it was November, due on occasions to the volume of shoppers, condensation was a problem.

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should the event return in 2018 consideration should be given to the laying of a road tracking system.

No doubt discussions will be held later this year as to the way forward. Living North have expressed an eagerness for the event to be regarded a part of City culture. Living North feels that there is an opportunity to grow year on year whilst maintaining the warmth and charm that the event has created over the years.

Footfall continued to match that of previous Christmas Fair’s, with the close walking proximity of the city centre helping to bring in additional “shoppers”. It was estimated that over the four days that the Fair was on, circa 20,000 people passed through the doors. Traders had no criticism of the venue, with the general feeling that it had been an excellent four days. It is estimated that over the previous eleven years that the Fair has been running, turnover has totalled something in the region of £20/25 million. The feedback from the traders has been so positive that some traders who had decided to give this Fair a miss on this occasion, due to a change in location and facilities, will be re-considering for Christmas 2018.

Despite the time of year, the weather had been kind to the event, especially as The Town Moor was providing car parking facilities and that

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As the Fair came to an end on 5th November with shoppers and stallholders vacating the marquee, the race was on to transform the marquee into a lavish set to house Newcastle United Foundation’s 125 Years United Fundraising Dinner , held on Tuesday 7th November.

The black tie event, which was hosted by sports broadcaster Gabby Logan, saw Newcastle United Manager Rafa Benitez and his coaching staff, alongside current and former players, join together to support the achievements of some outstanding achievers from the Foundation programmes, as well as celebrating the Club’s 125th Anniversary.

The generous support received from the North East Business Community meant that over £47000 profit was raised for the charity.

GUILD MEETINGS: Michaelmas Guild 2017 The following new Freemen sworn in were: Antonia Jane Trendell, Barber Surgeons: Alexander James Trendell, Barber Surgeons: Emma Alexandra Trendell, Barber Surgeons: Sheila Frances Rhodes, Bricklayers: Lucy Jane Rodriguez Leon, Bricklayers: Nicholas James Baird, Bricklayers: Roger Nigel Scholes, Coopers, Guy Scholes, Coopers: Daniel Vincent Carr, Coopers: Jayne Ann Talintyre, Cordwainers: Louise Talintyre, Cordwainers: Ryan Charlton, House Carpenters: Emma Mary Eve Shaw, Merchant Adventurers: John Ralph Shaw, Merchant Adventurers: Maureen Sheila Moule, Plumbers: Jack Robert Hetherington, Smiths: Alice Elizabeth Story, Tanners: Philip Strike, Smiths: Gemma Hall, Freemen of Trinity House:

Michaelmas Guild was held on Monday 9th October.

Michaelmas Close Guild which is attended by Company Stewards opened at 10.00am with prayers taken

by Canon Steven Harvey.

The roll call took place, followed by the annual election of the Stewards Committee. There were 13 nominations for the 12 positions, the Company Stewards present completed the ballot papers, voting for no less than 9 and no more than 12 Committee members.

The scrutineers for the ballot were appointed being T.R.Charlton, M.Taylor and J. Charlton.

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The following 12 Stewards being elected:

Back row L/R: Harry Alder, Nick Atkinson, Paul Anderson, Alan Bainbridge, Simon Pashley, Paul Powell, Ricky Alder.

Front row L/R: Chris Atkinson, David Wilson, Sir Leonard Fenwick, Jim Johnson, Keith Hall.

Sir Leonard Fenwick was re-elected as Chairman and David Wilson was reelected as Vice Chairman.

Michael Grey was appointed as Honorary Treasurer.

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Michaelmas Open Guild which is open to all Freemen of Newcastle opened at noon and was presided over by Lord Mayor Cllr Linda Wright, her first of the three Guilds in the Lord Mayor’s calendar. The Lord Mayor was accompanied by her husband Colin Wright, acting as Consort. Also in attendance were The Head of Commercial Law (Acting Town Clerk) John Softley and The Lord Mayor’s secretary Brenda Joyce. Following the close of the meeting 19 new Freemen were sworn in.

Christmas Guild 2017 The following new Freemen sworn in were: Amy Louisa Carrolle Brown, House Carpenters: Lianne Lesley Matthews, Master Mariners: Kerry Anne Robson, Tanners: Melinda Jane Lancaster, Smiths: Joyce Ellis Currie, Barber Surgeons: Rebecca Powell, Masons: Sarah Catherine Powell, Masons: Craig Lawrance Annan, Tanners: The Christmas Guild was held on Monday 15th January 2018, with the Close Guild

Easter Guild 2018 The following Freemen sworn in were: Callum G B Manchester, House Carpenters; James Michael Row, Joiners; Joyce Anne Duncan, Coopers; Jodi Leigh Marshall, Cordwainers; Niall James Stewart, Cordwainers; James John Payne,

commencing at 10.30am. The Open Guild commencing at noon was presided over by Lord Mayor Cllr Linda Wright, her second of three guilds in the Lord Mayor’s calendar. The Lord Mayor was accompanied by her husband in his role as Consort, along with Head of Commercial Law (Acting Town Clerk) John Softley.

Brenda Joyce, the Lord Mayor’s Secretary, as is customary, called the eight names of those claiming their Freedom, who were duly sworn in.

Cordwainers; Hannah Claire Mabbutt, Cordwainers; Alexander Robert Stewart, Cordwainers; Douglas Charles Stewart, Cordwainers; Patricia Mary Hunter, Curriers; Lauren Ashleigh Armstrong, House Carpenters; Hayley Marie Hogg, Masters and Mariners; Paul William Killen, Skinners and Glovers; Daniel Christopher

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The Lord Mayor addresses the newly sworn in Freemen of the City.

Walker, Skinners and Glovers; Peter James Lancaster, Smiths; Laura Paige, Tanners; David Alexander, Tanners; Charlotte Ellen, Tanners; Robert George, House Carpenters; Nicholas John Colvine, Cordwainers; Katherine Ellen Colvine, Cordwainers: The Easter Guild held on Monday 9th April 2018 was presided over by Lord Mayor Cllr Linda Wright, her third and final Guild in her term of office. The Lord Mayor was presented with a crystal decanter/ glasses, along with a bouquet of flowers

by Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chairman of the Stewards Committee.

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An emotional Lord Mayor thanked The Freemen for the gifts and stated how much she had enjoyed her time working alongside The Freemen and the new friendships forged. The Lord Mayor added that she was indeed proud of the fact that she was only the twentieth female Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne over the past 801 years.

The Sheriff and Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr David Down attended the Guild and will preside over the Michaelmas Guild later in the year.

The Lord Mayor takes a last opportunity to feature with Freemen in the Guildhall

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE TRADE GUILDS:

Information from: British History Online.

Shipwrights

Tanners

The ordinary of this society, dated August 8th 1636, signed the day following by the judges of assize, who certified their having perused and ratified the same, enjoins them to meet yearly on the 27th of December, to choose two wardens, and the like number of overseers; prohibiting them from working on Sundays and holidays observed by the church, giving them power to make by-laws, and restricting apprentices from working tide-work till they had served three years.

The ordinary of the Tanners, anciently called Barkers, dated November 8th 1532, enjoined the society to come yearly in their best array and apparel, at the feast of Corpus Christi, and go in procession, set forth their pageants, on pain of forfeiting a pound of wax. Not to take any Scot by birth for an apprentice, under a penalty of 20s. That each brother should have but one butcher to buy slaughter of, on pain of £10, and not to buy above eight fothers of bark, or forty trees, on pain of 6s.8d.; also to supply each other with bark.

Another order of this society, dated August 6th 1674,was also confirmed by the judges; as was another also dated July 26th 1689. Besides the above, this fraternity have since made many additional orders by their own authority.

This society, which consists of 22 members, have no property except their hall in the Wall Knoll, or Carpenter’s Tower, and which was built in the year 1716. They suffered a severe loss lately, and at present not more than five or six members attend.

This society consists of 26 members; they have their meeting-house in the Black Friars. Their annual income was about £94, out of which £24 was given to public charities; but they have lately built three good houses at the foot of Charlotte Square, which may increase their income to above £160 per annum.

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Guild Diary Dates: Michaelmas Guild

Christmas Guild

Monday 8th October 2018

Monday 14th January 2019

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

Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on Quayside, bottom of Dean Street) Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards only) begins at 10.00am.

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.

Open Court of Guild (for all the 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 the 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.

Guild Days 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.

Additional Diary Dates outlets and of course the opportunity to have your fortune read.

Hoppings Fair Friday 22nd - 30th June 2018 Please note that the official opening of the 136th fair, by the Lord Mayor, will this year be on Friday 22nd at 1.30pm.

A repeat weatherwise of 2017 would be welcome, and complement a plethora of white knuckle rides for thrill seeking visitors, alongside more leisurely rides for children.

There will be the usual sideshows, food 26 Freemen Magazine

The Newcastle Military Show will also be returning this year providing exciting displays and demonstrations during the opening weekend.

Newcastle Race for Life Pretty Muddy 5K Race for Life Pretty Muddy, organised by Cancer Research UK, returns to The Town Moor on Saturday 14th July.

The race is a brilliant 5K muddy obstacle course, which has you scrambling over an A-frame and crawling through a mud pit. You are certain to have fun with family and friends whilst raising valuable funds for BEATING CANCER. On Sunday 15th July there are two further events, the 10K challenge commencing at 10.00am and later at 11.30am the start of the 5K challenge. Both events are suitable for all abilities, whether you choose to walk, jog or run.

Newcastle Pride 2018 Newcastle Pride is returning to the City for the 11th year. The organisers are anticipating an even larger turn out this year for the event that will run from Friday 20th July through to Sunday 22nd July.

This year the event will celebrate 40 years since Gilbert Baker designed the “rainbow flag�, first used at the San Francisco Pride in 1978.

Traditionally the annual Newcastle Pride weekend has been sited in the bottom South East corner of the Moor adjacent to Exhibition Park. However this year the organisers have ambitious plans to erect a marquee, with a capacity of more than 15,000, that will cover an area of approximately 7,708 sq m and stand at a height of just under 22m.

To accommodate the marquee it has been necessary to move the venue to Nuns Moor adjacent to Walter Terrace.

Agreement has been reached with the Highways Department that gates measuring 7 metres can be constructed thereby creating ease of access onto the Moor from Barrack Road.

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Moscow State Circus The Moscow State Circus returns to Newcastle running from Wednesday 15th August to Wednesday 22nd August.

Staged in an air-conditioned big top the circus will take its usual pitch on the Town Moor opposite the Blue House on Grandstand Road. The promotional material promises audiences the opportunity to witness magnificent feats of human achievement, from the “World’s most famous circus”.

Newcastle Mela The 25th Anniversary of the Newcastle Mela will take place on Sunday 26th and Bank holiday Monday 27th August.

The Mela is a free event, based around Pakistani, Bengali, Indian and other South Asian cultures, where there is the opportunity to experience different music, art and food.

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Courtesy of Evening Chronicle

Great North Run Acknowledged as the world’s largest half marathon, 57000 runners will be lining up to complete the 13.1 mile course on Sunday 9th September 2018.

This is the 38th year that the race will have been held, which has seen participation numbers rise from an initial figure back in 1981 of just over 12,500 to the anticipated figure this year of 57,000.

Over the years it is estimated that over one million people have crossed the finishing line in South Shields.

Once again this year the run will be sponsored by “Simplyhealth”.

Courtesy of Evening Chronicle

Grainger Market Visit I

n August 2017, a group of about fifteen Freemen and friends had a guided tour of Newcastle’s Grainger Market. The visit was arranged by Ian Miller of the Shipwrights.

Our knowledgeable and entertaining guide was provided by the market’s management.

The tour started at 6pm after the market closed and it was good to see the wonderful building without the distractions of crowds of people and rows of bargains.

The trip brought back many memories; not quite going back to Richard Grainger’s day but some of them seemed almost that long ago. For example rows of rabbits with paper bags over their heads, hanging above butchers’ counters, hundreds of turkeys in the run up to Christmas. Apparently the market stayed open until 11pm on Christmas Eve selling off reduced turkeys and the railways laid on trains into the night to take shoppers and their booty home.

There are still retailers that we remembered from childhood like Kettlewells and Lindsay’s and of course the Marks and Spencer Penny Bazaar. The first M & S was in Leeds but that closed many years ago leaving this as the oldest and smallest M & S store. It is now a small outlet store but still thriving. And the Weigh Room is still there although mercifully closed at the time of our visit.

The Grainger Market, which is now a Grade 1 listed building, was built as part of the redevelopment of the city centre in the mid-19th century that was masterminded by Richard Grainger. Newcastle’s flesh market was inconveniently in the area which was to become Grey Street so a new market was planned. It was designed by John Dobson and was at the time the largest covered market in Europe. It was opened in 1835 with a large civic dinner.

Unfortunately the entrance to the Market’s air raid shelter is now shut as there is a retailer very close to it. It was however a very enjoyable and interesting trip.

Although it was originally a meat market it acquired other markets as they diminished in size or lost their premises. The remnants of the Green Market moved into the Grainger Market in 2011. Now of course there are many stalls selling clothes, hardware and other non-food items as well as a number of cafes.

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: Visitor’s Tales G

eorge’s wife, having recently undergone treatment for cancer, had that to contend with as well as George.

When I called he would greet me with “Hello Keith” and a few minutes later he’d suddenly stop talking and say, “you’re not Keith you’re Ian”.

Once he had advised me that he had being doing exercises for his Parkinson’s disease and overdone it, hurting his shoulder, so was now seeing a “psychiatrist”. His wife interrupted saying that he was seeing a “physiotherapist”, but a Psychiatrist would probably be more help.

George said that it was funny how it was spelt the same but pronounced differently!

Another day he told me he had been to the doctor’s about his sore toe. When I asked him what the problem was, he said that it was some kind of corn, he couldn’t remember what kind. However shortly after he suddenly said, “It was a soft corn, that’s what she said”. Just then his wife returned from her day centre and demanded to know if he had remembered to go to the doctor’s. He said he had been and the doctor had said that it was some kind of corn. I added “a soft corn”. George looked at me in amazement and admiration that I had diagnosed it without even examining his foot! His wife said that while she had her shoes on she’d go to the Post Office for a birthday card, to which he said they sold beer now! Not interested she left the room and returned with her coat on and George asked where she was going now, as she had just come in! She asked me to kindly explain to him and I said she was going to buy a birthday card.

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Once I called and there was no sign of his long suffering wife, concerned I asked her whereabouts. George said she was at her day centre and added that she could have gone to the same one as him but chose a different one. I thought how much she must have looked forward to her half day of respite. He said a “new lad” had started at his day centre, who knew me and was aged about 70 and living with his mother. I asked his name and of course George couldn’t remember, however he did get the same transport and hence I was able to identify the “new lad” of about 70 and explain to George that the “new lad” was actually aged 91 and lived with his wife aged 83!

On a subsequent visit I asked if his wife was at her day centre and he said “No, I’ve had a bit of trouble with her,” guessing I asked if her cancer had come back. He said “No, last week she came down the stairs with a suitcase and said that she was leaving me! It must have been something that I said, but I can’t remember what it was.” He said that she was living locally and rang him some evenings, but when he asked her when she was coming home, she’d say she wasn’t coming back to him and ring off.

I asked him how he was managing on his own in his late eighties. He said at first he thought his luck was in - “he could go to the pub and drink with the lads until closing time and there’d be no inquisition when he got home”. However when he went, “the lads weren’t there, probably gone to meet their maker” and he was heartily fed up with watching TV. George had carers three times a day, but sadly he died a few months later never having seen his wife again. Apparently his wife’s social worker had got her into residential care for her own good.

Notice Board Bereavements Thomas Colin Gee Bricklayers Arnold Currall Hostmen Constance Brown House Carpenters Hilda Finch Plumbers Elizabeth Nilsen Smiths Edward Grainger Liddle Tanners Kenneth Waugh Upholsterers

New Stewards Heather White Smiths Barbara Chirnside Smiths Sylvia Pledarkis Smiths

Joiners The Joiners Company will be holding their St. Peter’s Day Head Meeting on Friday 29th June 2018. This will be held at 7.00pm in The Merchant Venturers Hall in the Guildhall.

Shipwrights The Shipwrights Company will be holding their annual meeting on Monday 4th June 2018. This will be held at 7.30pm in The Lord Mayor’s Parlour in the Guildhall.

Tanners Meetings of The Tanners Guild will be held at: The Freeman’s Hall Blackfriars Friars Street Newcastle upon Tyne 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

Company Notices House Carpenters The House Carpenter’s will be holding their Head Meeting on Wednesday 6th June 2018. This will be held at 6.30pm in The Merchant Venturers Hall in the Guildhall.

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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@rineypublishing.co.uk