ISSUE 26 MAY 2020
CONTENTS
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Foreword, Editorial
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Canon Clare Maclaren
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Contents
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Private Swearing In Ceremony Original Key Workers
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Town Moor Superintendant’s Report
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Freeman Feast
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Chris Jackson
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Famous Freemen
12-15 Celebrating 10 years of Women Freemen 17 Guildhall
18-19 The Way We Were 19
Company Membership
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Healthy Living
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20 -21 TMMC Helping to Build the Future 23
Combatting Corona with Carol
24-25 Spotlight On ...
26-27 Why the Town Moor is So Special 28-29 Newcastle Under Lockdown 30 31
Visitor’s Tales
Notice Board and Christmas Guild
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Cover photo courtesy of Kevin Batey. Graphic Design by Whiteleaf Design www.wleaf.co.uk Guild and Private swearing in photo and main photo of Chris Jackson: Steve Brock Photography. Copies available from www.stevebrock.co.uk Thanks to article contributors; David Wilson, Barbara Nesbitt, Ian Miller, Jim Johnson, Tracy Kenny, Robert Glass, Chris Jackson, Chris Clark, Helen Birkett, Sarah Powell, Keith Hall, Chris Atkinson, Canon Clare MacLaren, Christine Lowes, Lesley Ann Walker, Judith Carruthers, Abigail Carruthers, Graeme Whifield, Nina Blenkinsop, Gemma Ions Special thanks to Sue Riney-Smith of Riney Publishing
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FOREWORD
The nationally acknowledged Newcastle Town Moor i.e. the ‘City Lung’ legacy that we have so effectively acted as guardians of over the Centuries has not surprisingly come into a distinct focus as a consequence of the CORONAVIRUS disruption to our public health and all this so manifestly entails. The Freemen of the City can be distinctly proud of the truly positive acknowledgments being so openly spoken of, not only with regard to the Town Moor Cattle herd now settling down across all of the designated grazing moors but the very nature and first class care and maintenance of such traditional moorland in the very heart of our fine City. Whilst it is truly disappointing that a range of high profile public events including The Hoppings have most understandably been
EDITORIAL
You may be surprised to receive your Magazine a little earlier than advertised? Stewards Committee agreed we should bring forward your Summer Magazine in the hope it would convey a message of support to all Freemen of Newcastle in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
By now, you will know that all Spring and many Summer events have been cancelled or postponed. Our thoughts go out to our many events partners; City Council, Cancer Research UK and EID organisers to name a few, but perhaps especially to our longstanding “partners” and friends, the Showmen who are unable to travel for the Hoppings this year. We send all of our business partners our best wishes and we hope to resume our successful collaborations in the very near future. Moorbank Lodge is closed to all except the Superintendent and his immediate family. They continue to work on our behalf and you will see Kevin’s report as usual in this issue. The admin team are contactable by email and telephone but please remember they are working with reduced resources and will
struck from the 2020 calendar, our core responsibilities are being most effectively met and for which both staff and trustees are to be commended.
Sir Leonard Fenwick CBE
Freemen of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne
prioritise essential work so routine enquiries will take a little longer; we ask that you please bear with us. The safety and well-being of our staff is paramount and we are exceptionally grateful that they are keeping things running, particularly on the live-stock and grazing side of the business. We also wish to give a massive shout out to all key workers. Thank you so much for your efforts to keep the country running, we appreciate your dedication. Final thanks to our remarkable Editorial Team for answering the call to bring this issue forward by 3 months and to our publisher Riney Publishing for supporting that decision. In this issue, you will see many of our usual features and also some designed to help you during Lockdown. This year marks the 10th anniversary of women swearing in, so we have a strong female theme, including a thought-provoking message from Canon Clare Maclaren, who would have led prayers at Easter Guild and the remarkable Chris Jackson who will be 105 this year. Stay Strong, Stay Home, Stay Safe www.freemenofnewcastle.org
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Tim Cooper, Senior Steward Millers Company, Katherine Ellen West, Lord Mayor, Councillor David Cook and Natasha Cooper
PRIVATE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY
O
n 18th December, Brenda Joyce from the Lord Mayor’s Office supported a private swearing-in ceremony, led by Lord Mayor, Councillor David Cook in Newcastle Civic Centre. This particular ceremony tested Brenda’s powers of concentration as the Companies represented were Millers and Coopers – but the Cooper family are actually Millers! Needless to say, she did a splendid job!
Millers’ Company
Katherine West, of Brisbane, Australia travelled with her husband and children to Newcastle for the ceremony; her father Tim Cooper is Senior Steward of the Millers Company. His own swearing–in took place 50 years ago, in May 1969 where Tim, his 2 brothers and 3 cousins were sworn in together.
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Six cousins from the Cooper family were sworn in together on 6th May 1969. From the left, they are: Peter Henry, John Anthony, Thomas Michael (Junior Steward of the Millers Company) Timothy Robert M (Senior Steward) Lord Mayor, Richard Percy and William David
Town Moor and to introduce my children to the history that surrounds it. I look forward to as active involvement as the distance permits.” Coopers’ Company
Invitations to swearing in ceremonies were altogether more formal 50 years ago
Natasha Cooper was also sworn in on 18th December, her late father David, Tim’s cousin was one of those sworn-in in 1969.
Jo Chalder-Wood, daughter of Patricia Madin and attended by Senior Steward David Hughes and Junior Steward Dr Peter Blenkinsop was also sworn in. The Lord Mayor was introduced to one of our youngest future Freemen - Christopher James Hughes.
Katherine and Natasha are the last of the next generation of the six cousins to be sworn in. Without the introduction of ladies into the Freelage the numbers would be down as the six cousins only produced three boys between them but five girls! All have now been admitted. We asked Katherine what being a Freeman meant to her, living so far from the City, she told us
“Even from so far away in Australia I am proud to continue my connection to the City that holds a special place in my heart. I walked the Town Moor as a child visiting my grandparents, where I could also see it from my bedroom window, attended the Hoppings and kept the huge sugar ‘dummy’ I brought home in the fridge for weeks; met my now husband when working as a Speech Pathologist just across the water at the QE Hospital in Gateshead and braved the cold nights in unsuitable attire rather than wear a coat on the Tuxedo Princess! I am grateful and proud to continue the traditions of the Freemen in protecting such a precious green space as the
Junior Steward, Millers Company, Dr Peter Blenkinsop, Senior Steward David Hughes, Lord Mayor, Cllr David Cook, Jo Calder-Wood and Patricia Madin
Lord Mayor Cllr David Cook meets future Freeman Christopher James Hughes Freemen Magazine
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A MESSAGE FROM CANON CLARE MACLAREN
anon Clare MacLaren is the Canon for Music and Liturgy at Newcastle Cathedral. Having C studied Law and then Theology, she has spent
over 20 years in parish ministry in Manchester, Harrogate, Leeds and Bradford, and is now responsible for the worshipping life of Newcastle Cathedral. Canon Clare is the first female Canon to provide prayers at Guild and has kindly sent us this message in place of her attendance at the cancelled Easter Guild this year. While the Cathedral is closed for worship at this time, online services and reflections are being made available for those who want to access them from home. More details can be found on the Cathedral website: www.newcastlecathedral.org.uk. Some of you may have come across a fascinating book called “Ralph Tailor’s Summer” by the historian, Keith Wrightson. I was recommended it when we started removing the pews at the Cathedral, as a bit of background reading, as so many of the ancient graves we are discovering are for people who died in the mid-1600s. It tells the story of the Great Plague of Newcastle in 1636, based on manuscripts that survive in the handwriting of a 26 year old scrivener (a professional writer, in an age when few could write.) Ralph Tailor was called upon by victims of the plague to take down their “last will and testament” before they died. The book opens with Ralph balancing on the town wall, down near the Quayside so he could peer through the bedroom window of one Thomas Holmes – a keelman – while the desperately ill man dictated to him his dying wishes.
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I can’t be the only one who sees a parallel there, with the social distancing policies that we are now observing, in the nearest thing our generation will ever know to time of plague. At the height of the outbreak, during the hot summer of 1636, over 300 people were being buried each week in the city centre of Newcastle. Thank God that modern medicine and sanitation mean we are never going to know that kind of death toll – but it does put our own sufferings into perspective, doesn’t it? In 1636 whole households were lost – many of them “small masters” and guild members, as the burial records attest. Statistically, it must be certain that Freemen were among their number, and when the men of the household died, their womenfolk would certainly have stepped up to keep their businesses afloat. This was a period when not just the economy, but the very fabric of society was under attack. Newcastle, that great “Eye of the North” was built on a network of social, family and business relationships, all of which were threatened by fear of contagion, and a desperate desire for survival. Ties of love and loyalty were strong, but often the sick were shunned and sometimes even abandoned to their fate. There were no NHS heroes in the 1600s. The City must have wondered if it would ever recover. And yet – 357 years of progress and setbacks later – here we are, still fighting on! The historic role of the Freemen was to defend our City - but it is currently “under attack” by an enemy that not even the boldest of us has the power to vanquish. We must pray that a vaccine will soon be discovered to put Covid-19 in its place. In the meantime, however, it is incumbent upon each one of us, selflessly to play our part in maintaining the common life, and community spirit of this proud and resilient City; and in this Easter season, whatever suffering may befall our families, businesses and communities, to remember that through the darkness of loss, the light of hope still shines… that resurrection will follow death, as sure as day follows night. Please know that you are remembered and prayed for by the Cathedral ministry team at this time, as always.
THE ORIGINAL KEY WORKERS Tracy Kenny (Tanners) Reflects on our latter-day key workers
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n these challenging times, certain terms and their definitions, have quickly become commonplace in our everyday language; social distancing, lock-down, shielding, self-isolation, non-essential travel and of course … key workers. As this newly formed lexicon continues to trend on social media, at the time of writing, the latter has also become the sole focus of our new weekly routine on a Thursday night at 8pm. The new ‘norm’ is to show our appreciation by the simple act of clapping for our wonderful frontline healthcare heroes, emergency and armed services, delivery drivers, retail workers, waste collectors, transport staff, cleaners, postal workers… the list goes on of those key workers who are helping us through these uncertain times. Whilst I stood on my own doorstep at 7.59 hands poised at the ready to do my bit for the third consecutive Thursday, I waved to my feisty neighbour of 98 ‘Anne’ as she slowly emerged onto her doorstep, immaculate as always saucepan and wooden spoon firmly in-hand determined to show her appreciation too. In what seems like another time altogether (but in reality it was actually only February), I had popped around for a coffee to hear about her tales of being a key worker herself during WW2 in munitions at Angus’s Oil Seal factory where she made a life-long friendship with fellow key worker Marjory who she still misses to this day. As she took her usual position by the hand rail on her side wall to keep herself steady, it occurred to me the parallels that run between our definition of a modern-day key worker and our ancestors – for where would our society be now without
our current key frontline workers or indeed the likes of Anne during WW2 and my Granda, James Glass (Tanner) who was posted in South Africa for almost 5 years during WW2 to fight the outbreak of Malaria which was killing more troops than the enemy! Going back even further, the key workers were embodied in the ancient trades of our ancestors that kept local communities going through thick and thin throughout the ages. In 1532, when horses were the only mode of transport, the Tanner’s Guild was formed and my ancestors provided a critical service to the local community, working no doubt throughout times of extreme poverty, famine and disease outbreaks to treat animal skins and turn them into leather for saddles and bridles.
So, as the applause began at 8pm on the dot and drifted up into the mild spring evening, my fellow neighbours united with our newly found common bond, reached that awkward point at around 50 seconds where no one wants to be the first to stop clapping and disappear back in doors. However, one by one they concede, and the sound trails off as my fellow lock-down comrades (including Anne) about-turn and retire back to the safety of their humble abodes, with just a curt nod of acknowledgement – coded language for ‘nice job – same again next week then??’ At this point, I resolved to clap my own applause for a few moments longer just to extend my gratitude a little further and reach back in time to my ancestors and the members of all the other guilds throughout the ages – thank you to all key workers - past and present – we are truly forever in your debt. Freemen Magazine
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SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
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t’s pretty much business as usual for the team at Moorbank. We are managing to cover staff absences caused by the Covid-19 outbreak and we are making sure that all social distancing and additional hygiene guidelines are strictly observed.
Grassland Maintenance
Grazing
Our grazing season opened as planned, on the 31st of March 2020, all Town Moors are being actively grazed with Circa 400 cows having arrived so far.
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The main Town Moor has had 600 tonnes of lime spread at 2 tonne per acre, this brings our PH back to the required level to comply with the soil analysis report. The report also recommended that we apply a specific compound fertiliser to rectify the deficiencies in our N,P,K, we completed this work by spreading the fertiliser at 100kg per acre, which equates to 28.8 tonnes. Our drainage contractor has hired in a Sumo machine to rectify surface panning on the Hoppings site and the bottom half of Dukes Moor, this will allow the surface
water to drain and will also allow the grass roots to grow deeper; this will enhance the sward and enable the land to breathe.
Nuns Moor South – Brighton Grove
This 12.5 acre site is to be sprayed by the end of April to kill all weed growth, this will be followed by the land being power harrowed to create a nice tilth and will then be grass seeded and rolled. We have taken delivery of our Kuhn power harrow and new ride on mower flail cutting deck for this purpose. Whilst temperatures improve, we are very hopeful of a good strike enabling the grass to flourish over the coming months.
Tree Planting update
The City Council have planted a number of trees along Grandstand Road. So far, they are doing well. Of the acorns we reported
in December, a significant number have started to germinate, we are confident that a bumper crop will be available for the next stages of planting in the summer. The Team continue to maintain the Town Moors in accordance with Government guidance and social distancing, keeping the Moors safe for the Town Moor Herd and for the general public. May we remind everyone to observe Government guidelines when using the Town Moors for air and exercise during these difficult times.
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FAMOUS FREEMEN JOHN SCOTT
(MR BESSIE SURTEES)
B
essie Surtees House stands on Sandhill Newcastle almost opposite the Guildhall. It is a handsome timbered Jacobean building: the kind of house that wealthy residents of Newcastle occupied when they still lived near their businesses by the river and before the building programme carried out by Richard Grainger and his associates. Most people in the North East know that Bessie Surtees eloped with the man she loved via a first floor window. Not so many know that the man was John Scott, later a Freeman. Bessie was the daughter of Aubone Surtees, a Newcastle banker. Her family was wealthy and disapproved of her relationship with John Scott. He was hardly a pauper however. Although his grandfather was a clerk, his father William was a coal fitter, which wasn’t a manual job but a title for someone who brokered or arranged deals to sell coal, otherwise known as a Hostman. He accumulated a fortune of around £20,000: a sizeable sum in the eighteenth century. John was born in 1751 and educated at the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle where he often played truant and indulged in pranks. One of his elder brothers was to take on his father’s business so John was sent to Oxford University in 1766 so that he could become a clergyman. He was still there in 1771 and around this time he met Bessie when visiting the North East. Neither set of parents approved of the match; hers because of money and his social standing, his because of the timing; it might impede his chance of getting a post as a vicar. In 1772, Bessie’s parents lined up a more suitable match so on 18 November 1772, with the assistance of
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John, his friend and a ladder Bessie climbed out of a window on the first floor of the house and was whisked to Blackshields in Scotland where she and John were married. John’s father soon forgave them and settled £2,000 on his son. The pair returned to Oxford where John continued his studies and decided to become a lawyer rather than a priest. Mr Surtees also came round and settled £3,000 on his daughter and the couple were married in England. John Scott became a very successful barrister and made friends in high places. He entered Parliament in 1782 and in 1788 he was made Solicitor General and knighted. Despite being based in London, he also became a Freeman of Newcastle and a Hostman in 1788. In 1799 he was made Earl of Eldon and took his place in the House of Lords. In 1801 he became Lord Chancellor, the highest legal office in the country. He held that office for two periods for a total of twenty-five years. Like many people who rebel in their youth Lord Eldon became an arch-conservative and opposed most reform, in particular Earl Grey’s Great Reform Act. He was described by radicals as the most hated man in Britain and the poet Shelley called him a “foul, knotted, many headed worm”. Still he had supporters in his home town as Eldon Square was named in his honour as was the shopping centre whether or not the developers knew who he was. Of course we know little of Bessie. She and John had two sons and two daughters who reached maturity. Bessie died in 1831 and John in 1838 aged 87. Bessie Surtees house is now in the care of English Heritage who use it as their regional offices. It is generally open to the public 10:00 to 16:00 weekdays and there is an exhibition about its history. There are also guided tours on Heritage Open Days. What is left of old Eldon Square can be viewed any time and hopefully the shopping centre will reopen before long.
A FREEMEN FEAST FIT FOR A KING
knew from a very early age that when my father, James Glass, went to the yearly IFreemen meetings, he always enjoyed a
wonderful ‘supper’ after the meeting and came home to rave about how wonderful the feast had been. As a child, my experience of ‘supper’ was a somewhat uneventful quick bite to eat before going to bed, so I was naturally intrigued that a supper could potentially be so much more. As a 10-year old, I knew Freemen were very important people doing an important job protecting the town moor from the ‘baddies’ who wanted to build on it, so surely important people deserved a banquet; a feast fit for a King! In 1967, I was officially sworn in, and could finally find out for myself! As I sat and nervously observed my first meeting, trying to make sense of all the different freelage terminology, I have a distinct memory of the minutes being read out and then the words I had been waiting for were uttered ”supper was partaken by our brethren.” To me it was such a quaint, yet oh so-grand Victorian term – it was the cue I had been anticipating for over a decade. My imagination ran riot with thoughts of the culinary delights to come ...there must be pheasant on the table together with lobster, suckling roast pig, possibly smoked salmon and oysters. (I had never tasted oysters before, but I knew they were expensive, so they HAD be there). Huge strawberries, chocolate and black forest gateaux all oozing with mouth-watering fresh cream together with various wines from distant
Tanner, Robert Carlton Glass shares his childhood memories.
vineyards and vintage champagne! Yes, champagne and lots of it! My only concern at the time was being able to use the correct solid silver cutlery in the right order without embarrassing myself!
As I was to quickly find out in my adult years, reality often doesn’t quite measure up to the fantasies we build up in our young naive heads. The venue was in fact the Rainbow Room at the Co-op – not quite the splendid setting I had imaged, but still pleasant enough. This modest and as I understand now, more sensibly priced eatery provided a very ‘nice’ menu of cold chicken with a salad (not even tossed!) and one knife and one fork (every cloud…) Not a drop of champagne in sight; but plenty of Earl Grey tea. I processed my harsh reality check internally, not wanting to outwardly appear ungrateful and ensured that none of those that attended that night could tell my hopes that had been building up for the last 10 years had been destroyed not to mention my taste buds which had also taken a devastating blow! Over the succeeding years, I became more involved in the Freemen and I soon learnt that the privilege of being a custodian of the Town Moor and by oath to protect it for future generations was in fact the priceless part and certainly worth more than a king’s ransom (including his banquet!). Freemen Magazine
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF WOMEN FREEMEN
A
decade ago, ten trailblazing women became history-makers on Tyneside as they were sworn in as hereditary Freemen of Newcastle Upon Tyne at the Easter Guild on 12 April 2010. After more than 800 years, daughters were finally able to follow in the footsteps of their fathers. Taking a huge leap forward, here we are in 2020 where a further 644 women have since proudly taken the oath to defend the honour of the City; thus permanently altering the DNA sequence within the Freemen fraternity. Women now account for 35% of the 1860 Freemen and 22 women have taken up the vital role of steward. Lesley Ann Walker (Goldsmiths) and Fiona Hogg (Curriers), took their seats at Close Guild as the first 2 female stewards on 17th January 2011 and Helen Birkett (Cordwainers) was the first woman to join the Stewards Committee at Michaelmas Guild 2018.
The original 10 trailblazers were: Nina Luena Blenkinsop daughter of Michael Blenkinsop, Cooper; Ruth Plummer daughter of Lionel Robson Lunn, Bricklayer; Maureen Bell daughter of John James Skirving, Weaver; Judith Caroline Carruthers daughter of Philip Bulman, Tanner; Lesley Ann Walker daughter of Alan Robert Bainbridge, Goldsmith; Ellen Hall daughter of James Taylor Hall, Masters & Mariners; Christine Margaret Lowes daughter of Ernest Fenwick Loraine, Cordwainer; Maureen Brien daughter of Joseph William Carr, Joiner; Gemma Louise Ions daughter of Alan Ions, Shipwright; Beverley Heron daughter of Thomas Wilson, Ropemaker. Joined by 1 man Alexander Joseph, son of Joseph Michael Proctor, Plumber.
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Despite the challenging times right now we managed to track down and remotely speak to a few of the original 10 ladies to see where they are now. Sadly, Ellen Hall (Masters and Mariners) has since passed and we will try and catch up with the others for a future issue. Nina Blenkinsop (Coopers) seemed a fitting starting point, since Nina was in fact the first woman to be sworn in and if you browse in the Freemen Magazine on the website, you will see that Nina made the front cover of Issue 8 we made contact with her from the distant shores of Lisbon:
“It was a huge honour to be the first woman ever to be sworn into the Freemen of Newcastle. I don’t think we realised this when we went to the ceremony that day, so it was quite a humbling moment. Holding the musket is one of the memories that particularly sticks out – that, and just feeling really connected to my Dad’s roots. Being on the magazine front cover was also something I hadn’t been expecting! I think I may be the only Nina Blenkinsop in the world, so when you Google my name, the photos and magazine cover from the swearing in ceremony are some of the first things to come up in the search. All these thousands of miles away in Portugal where I now live, I’ve had all sorts of people ask me about it when they see it, so that’s been interesting; getting to explain it all to people who barely even know where Newcastle is - let alone what a Freeman is! Being so far away, I’ve unfortunately not had much of a chance to be too involved, however each year, I try and join the Coopers Company Head Meeting via Skype.
Nina today
Chris Lowes (Cordwainers) “I felt very privileged being sworn in as a Freeman of the City and even more so being one of the first 10 ladies. I was only sorry that my late Dad (Ernest Loraine) was
not there to see me; being an only child, I was glad that the link with the Freemen had not died with my Dad. Indeed, I’m very proud to say my son Anthony has followed in our footsteps. Since being sworn in, I’m much more aware of the importance of the Freemen in the City and the work we do to maintain and preserve the vital open space. My colleagues in HMRC refer to me as Lady Lowes! I was sworn into the Incorporated Company of Cordwainers in June 2010 and was honoured to be the very first woman in the Company; in 2016 I became the Company secretary. This is a job I love and the members of our Company are all great people.
Chris today
To any other ladies waiting to be sworn in, I would say … enjoy it! Go to your Company meetings and get involved. Over the last 10 years I have learned a lot about the mechanics and history of the Freemen. Hopefully this will continue to be passed down to future generations” Freemen Magazine
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Judith Caruthers (Tanners) “On that memorable day in 2010 at the Guildhall, I became a Freeman of Newcastle and the first woman Tanner in their 800 year history – what an honour! It was a privilege to be connected with my Father and Grandfather in this way. I have since taken a keen interest and both my children are sworn in as Freemen; my daughter Abigail is a features writer for this Magazine.
Freemen I have met. I hope any women joining will take an interest and appreciate the unique honour and privilege we have been given.”
I attended the Freemen’s Annual Church Parade, 8th May 2016, held as part of the 800th Mayoral celebrations - the Lord Mayor and Sheriff led the parade. We also joined the December 2019 meeting of Incorporated Company of the Tanners held at Blackfriars. This fascinating room served as a visible reminder of this ancient association - followed by a cheerful dinner together!
Gemma in the Merchant Adventurer’s Court
Judith at the Lord Mayor’s Parade
Freeman and Tanner functions are always a richly rewarding experience, both due to the interesting places the meetings are held, and the welcoming, friendly
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Gemma Louise Ions (Shipwright) I’d accepted I couldn’t be a Freeman when I was young but was always interested in the whole concept and history as both my Dad and older Brother Gavin are Freemen; I remember going to my Brother’s swearing in ceremony when I was 14. I was pleased when they announced they were admitting women and honoured to be in the first group. What made it more special was to be sworn in with my maiden name ‘Ions’, as I got married two weeks later. Mostly what I remember of the day was waiting in line to be sworn in, I believe I was second to last. I also remember the
huge media interest at the time - being photographed and interviewed with the other ladies outside for the Evening Chronicle. It’s guaranteed to start a conversation when anyone sees my certificate on the wall, people are always genuinely interested in the history and role the Freeman have in the present day. Future generations should definitely take up their right to be sworn in. It’s a privilege and something to be proud of and I look forward to seeing my son and daughter getting sworn in when they are old enough.
long and difficult fight which resulted in the Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 eventually coming into force in 12 January 2010. So for me, the swearing in ceremony was a double victory for my Father and his associates after years of hard work, and also for me personally - as a woman and a mother. My only brother had no children and I have a son and a daughter, so the change in legislation had a significant impact for our family, meaning the Freelage was no longer under threat of dying out. Both my children have now been sworn in, and I am safe in the knowledge that our hereditary right has been preserved for the next generation. I am a deputy steward for the Goldsmiths Company, a role which I enjoy but my demanding job and family commitments limit the amount of time I am currently able to dedicate to the role.
Lesley now
Lesley Ann Walker (Goldsmiths)
My Father, Alan Bainbridge, Stewards Committee member, was part of the team of progressive Freemen who fought a very
My one piece of advice for anyone reading this who have eligible children – simply ensure they get sworn in; for those with daughters, to do otherwise would be paying those that fought our fight a complete disservice. Even if your child has little interest right now, once sworn in, encourage them to come along to observe a company meeting, visit the Freeman website and Facebook page or indeed the Town Moor itself… and of course read the Freemen Magazine! Who knows, it may just open doors for them later in life. As this article has highlighted, time really does fly so it’s important to think of not just the present moment but to look towards your children’s children and also secure this unique gift for them.
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CHRIS JACKSON
N
o celebration of women Freemen would be complete without mentioning the amazing Chris Jackson (Goldsmiths) Chris was born in the middle of the turmoil of the Great War and she celebrated her 104th birthday with family and friends at the Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust at the end of last year.
Chris is our oldest Freeman of Newcastle and quite easily still one of the sharpest! Born on 3rd November 1915, one of 5 children – 4 girls and a boy, Chris doesn’t recall her father William Bainbridge saying much about the Freemen, which isn’t too surprising as Freemen business was never discussed among the womenfolk in those days and it would have been unthinkable that women would one day be so influential! Her only brother William was active in the Goldsmith’s Company, always ensuring he attended and played an active role in the Company meetings.
Chris married her husband William Jackson on 1st August 1942 and was working as a bus conductress during WW2. Chris had one daughter – also Chris - who is a Steward of the Goldsmiths Company. Chris’s two 2 grandchildren Simon and Helen Clark are also Freemen and she has three young great grandchildren who will hopefully follow suit.
Three generations: Chris and daughter, also Chris at the swearing in of grandchildren Helen and Simon in 2015
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Having always lived in Newcastle, Chris remembers life being much quieter in her younger days and children played out in the streets a lot. She remembers going for picnics on the Town Moor and visiting the East Coast exhibition in 1929 which she says was wonderful.
Fiercely independent, Chris lives in her own bungalow at the Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust. She refuses point blank to have carers and only has the cleaners who are on site as she knows them! Her good friend and neighbour Jessie and daughter Chris do the shopping and Chris has a hairdresser visit her every week. We are all very much looking forward to celebrating her 105th birthday in November.
Chris 1940
With Senior Steward of the Goldsmiths Company – and cousin – Alan Bainbridge
NEWCASTLE GUILDHALL
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ewcastle has had a Guildhall as far back as the 13th century, though very little is known about the design of the original building. We do know that the old building was demolished in 1655, probably as a result of the fire of 1639, and a new building was erected between 1655 and 1658. It was built to the design of Robert Trollop of York for an estimated £2,000, but several extras were added bringing the actual cost up to £10,000! The building had a ceiling adorned with paintings and a floor laid with chequered marble, which may have accounted for the increased cost. Twice during the 18th century the Guildhall suffered damage, firstly in the 1740 Keelmen’s riots and again in 1791 when it caught fire. After these events the north side of the building was remodelled in 1796 and the south side in 1809. The court room, on the first floor is where the Freemen hold their Guild meetings, a “Close” meeting for stewards followed by an “Open” meeting for all Freemen after which the Lord Mayor swears in new Freemen. The marble floor, part of the roof and the wall on the north side, with its arched gallery, have not changed since Trollop designed them. The court fittings are at the west end and all the windows are in the south wall. The roof beams support coloured shields of the arms of all the companies of Freemen.
From the court room there is an entrance to the Lord Mayor’s Parlour. This long narrow room has a stucco ceiling and panelled walls painted with scenes of old Newcastle. For two centuries the Mayor and Council met here to transact the business of the town. The upper floor of Roger Thornton’s Maison Dieu, annexed to the east end of the original Guildhall, had been the meeting place of the Merchants Company from the 15th century, the Merchant Adventurers Court was re-instated by John Dobson in exactly the same position. The room is oak-panelled and the plaster ceiling bears the date 1636 in the corners of the central panel. Maintenance and decoration of this room is the responsibility of the Freemen, while the City have responsibility for the rest of the building. In 1823 John Dobson built an open colonnaded fish market under the Merchant Adventurers Court enabling Sandhill to be cleared of fish stalls. However, in 1880 this market was moved and the end of the Guildhall walled up to become a news room annexed to the Exchange situated on the ground floor under the court room. Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne have a significant interest in the Guildhall, which is now Grade II listed, and are conscious that such an old and historic building needs careful and ongoing maintenance. Chris Atkinson of the Stewards Committee has noted issues in the build- Chris Atkinson, ing particularly in respect of Stewards Committee woodworm and damp. Chris has had dialogue with the City Council, who are responsible for maintenance of the building. The City Council have reviewed the infestation issues and a report from a specialist contractor has been produced. The City Council as Freeholders have chosen to lease part of the ground floor as a licenced café bar and a Hard Rock Café is to be opened in the ground floor of the Guildhall. The Freemen registered concern that this might present a risk to the building, particularly in relation to fire and security. To help assure the protection of the building the Freemen commissioned a Fire Risk Assessment report from a firm of internationally acclaimed consulting engineers. The report indicated that there was significant potential fire risk associated with such use of the building; this was brought to the attention of the City Council and a copy of the report has been shared with them. We will continue our dialogue with the City Council to ensure the maintenance, safety and security of this fine old building. Freemen Magazine
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Tyne Bridge 1928
Blue House
Smallpox hospital
THE WAY WE WERE
H
istory teaches us that every generation has its own “crisis” to handle. Plague, war, crop failure, economic recession...The one thing that never changes is the human spirit and ability to rebuild and recover. Here, we take a small stroll down Memory Lane to remind us that every day of Lockdown brings us a day closer to recovery.
The Quayside, St George’s Day, 1958 Newcastle Quayside 1899
Original Tyne Bridge
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Kard Bar Handysides Arcade 70s
Westgate Road 70s
Marlborough Bus Station 1977
Pat Phoenix
Heaton 1930
Blackgate 1884
In mid-1944, open-cast coal mining had begun on the Town Moor, continuing until August 1947, when 250,000 tons had been extracted, often by blasting. Residents of Gosforth and Kenton were accustomed to lumps of coal and shale landing in their gardens. In the right background is Moor Court, a block of luxury flats built in 1938.
COMPANY MEMBERSHIP The Freemen of Newcastle were instrumental in drafting Schedule 28a, an amendment of the Local Democracy Bill, which brought Freemen admissions throughout the Country into the 20th century through the right of admission for women, we now celebrate the 10th anniversary.
During that time, our numbers have increased significantly to circa 1800, with the majority also being admitted into their craft Guild Companies, although we do from time to time receive requests from newly sworn in Freemen for information on how to join their respective Company. If you are not a member of your Craft Guild (the Guild through which you were sworn in) please contact the
Senior Steward of your Company who will be happy to assist, any difficulties in being admitted please get in touch we are here to help, our contact details are at the back of this magazine. The strength of Guild comes through the strength of the Companies, so it is important that all Freemen are members of their respective Company and we would encourage those who have not yet been admitted into their Company to do so, this will ensure the Guild and Companies thrive. It is only through the Companies that Freemen are represented at the Close Guild meetings.
Freemen Magazine
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Graduation day! Sarah, Dad Phil, Sister Becky and Mam Lesley
THE TOWN MOOR MONEY CHARITY
HELPING TO BUILD THE FUTURE S tewards Committee is often asked about how useful the Town Moor Money Charity (TMMC) distributions are; so we caught up with 22 year-old Sarah Powell (Masons Company) who applied for TMMC assistance in 2017 when she started a BSc Geography degree course at Sheffield Hallam University, to ask what it meant for her. As part of her course, Sarah needed to complete a mandatory international field study in Iceland. This research would give her vital first-hand experience of the dramatic landscape, rock formations, glaciers and the unique Icelandic culture. This international research formed up to 40% of the final year mark and students have to fund such trips themselves. Sarah decided to bank her TMMC award during years 1 and 2 at University to help pay for her field trip.
In year 3, Sarah put her TMMC award towards a further field trip to Grenada, Spain where she studied regeneration in rural areas, mass tourism and its effects on local farmers. Sarah admits that year 3 in particular, was a struggle financially and without
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Exploring the dramatic Icelandic landscape
Sarah bottom right, under the watchful eye of Dad Phil, standing 2nd from left
TMMC assistance, she would have found the field trips difficult to fund herself. She recalls quite vividly and with some pride how she would eke out her money and can still rustle up a meal for 50p!
We are delighted to report that Sarah excelled in her field work and gained excellent marks towards her degree. This is perhaps even more remarkable given Sarah was diagnosed with dyslexia at 8 years old. In her own understated way, she gives Dad Phil, a member of the Stewards Committee, joint credit for her degree as he proof read her dissertation. Sarah is currently studying for a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) at Shotton Hall SCITT and will soon be sharing her passion for Geography teaching students in secondary education, guiding them through to GCSE and A levels.
In her spare time, she plays in midfield for the Chester le Street Amazines Womens’ football team and enjoys musical theatre, having auditioned, and got down to the last four, for the part of “Debbie” in the West End production of Billy Elliot. Sarah is very proud to be part of the Powell family tradition as a Freeman of the City.
She and sister Becky followed Grandad Denis, Dad Phil and Uncles David, Steve and Michael into the freelage in January 2018. Keith Hall, Stewards Committee member and Chairman of the TMMC told us “Sarah is an exceptional young woman and a shining example of why TMMC is vitally important. It gives us great pleasure to have been able to help support her education in this tangible way. The Town Moor Money Charity exists to offer financial help to all Freemen of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne. Help can also be given to widows, widowers, sons and daughters of Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne who are in financial need or on lower incomes. We also assist students on higher educational courses such as University and College degree courses who are sons and daughters of Freemen. To find out if you qualify for financial help through TMMC, request an application form from your Senior Steward or from the Admin team at Moorbank Lodge”.
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HEALTHY LIVING
A
bigail Carruthers (Tanners) is our newest recruit to the Editorial Team. She graduated from Durham University last July with a degree in Biology and has a job lined up in the Molecular Laboratory of Kew Gardens as soon as Lockdown rules allow. She enjoys photography, running and cycling and became interested in health through learning about ageing, nutrition and exercise during her degree course. Spring is here at last and we have had some beautiful weather! Many of us may have a little more time on our hands at the moment; others may be busy working, caring for others, so thank you for your hard work! It is more important than ever to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So make the most of your ‘outdoor exercise allowance’. Even if it’s a short walk, or a trip to the supermarket, you are bound to see carpets of yellow; daffodils, celandines, dandelions… Those living in Newcastle have access to the Town Moor, a great place to take some exercise, whether this be a solo walk, run or cycle ride. Although you may prefer exercising with others, going alone can be beneficial, giving you a chance to de-stress and have some alone time, which may be particularly important if you are otherwise at home all day with the family. Exercising for even a short time outdoors has many health benefits. It can help you focus, giving you some much needed ‘work from home’ motivation. It helps boost immunity, and
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means you get vitamin D, also good for your immune system. Having a change of scenery in general helps to make you feel better. I have found that going outdoors at the moment helps me to forget about the Coronavirus situation for a short while, giving some much needed time to enjoy nature. However, in the current situation, we must stay home as much as possible. Gyms and sports clubs are closed, but there are many alternative ways to exercise at home, with minimal equipment. You could think creatively to adapt your gym routine using everyday household items. For example, make some makeshift weights with water bottles, use a step or box to do stepping or jumping exercises. There are free workouts online. These include YouTube channels such as FitnessBlender, SELF and the ‘Body Coach TV’, which livestreams ‘P.E with Joe’ every day at 9am, a workout for kids, although everyone can join in. Alternatively, here are some exercise suggestions to get you started. A weight, or heavy object such as a bottle of water or a can of beans, can be used to increase difficulty. Start with 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each exercise, with 30 seconds rest in between each repetition. You can then increase or decrease repetitions and sets depending on how you find them. 1 Squats: Stand with feet apart and squat down, keeping your knees in line with your toes and chest facing forward. Put your hands in front of you for balance, or hold a weight (eg large bottle of water) to make it harder 2 Walking lunges: take a big step forward, bending both your knees at right angles, and repeat 3 Russian twist: sit with knees bent and twist your upper torso from side to side. Take your feet off the ground or hold a weight to make it harder 4 Press ups: go against a wall or keep your knees on the ground to make them easier 5 Rows: stand with a weight in each hand. Bend your knees slightly and lean forward slightly. Starting with arms straight, bend your arms, lifting the weights, until your upper arms are parallel with your upper body. Straighten your arms and repeat. Most importantly, find a routine that you enjoy.
COMBATING CORONA WITH CAROL Carol Elliott and her husband Ronnie (Senior Steward of the Cordwainer Company) have created a unique way to make the most of the Lockdown… Carol and Ronnie enjoying their music festival
The World is at a stand-still! We’re having to stay at home, have only one walk a day from the house and keep our distance from others and hardest of all, we can’t meet up with our family and friends. It’s not easy! We’re sticking to as normal a routine as possible, so we get up, get dressed and have breakfast. We then have our daily walk with Jess, our Border Collie, and enjoy the seasonal blooms just starting to appear. We do the gardening, housework and cooking but have to say, we miss our weekends and holidays in our touring caravan. So, we have decided to use our imagination and go back to the make believe of our childhood. We use Facebook to share our adventures with our many friends and family all over the country and have built up quite a following! We have made a virtual caravan site in our garden using the grandkids’ toy caravans and motorhomes. For the first week, we stayed in the North East and as our family and friends “arrived” they were allocated a toy caravan or motorhome. We had lots of events such as,
coffee mornings, BBQs and walks, culminating in a music festival at the end of the week.
We have now moved the site over to Grasmere in the Lake District (virtually, of course!) The site has been set up and we walk from the site visiting beauty spots and getting folk to guess where we have been from photographs. We’ve had a quiz, another BBQ, a virtual craft session, and will end with a coffee morning and prizegiving before moving on to the West Lakes. As the Lockdown continues, we will visit Scotland, Yorkshire, Wales and more… all imaginary but keeping us busy and our followers guessing with “Where are we now” type quizzes!
I personally have rekindled my teenage passion for sketching and water-colouring. We only watch the news and government bulletins once then look at happy DVDs and cheerful programmes! Enjoy the peace, know it will pass, stay happy, keep in touch with friends and family. Good luck!
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SPOTLIGHT ON…
IAN MILLER (Shipwrights, Hostmen, Skinners and Glovers)
I
an Miller has been a very active Freemen for longer than most of us will remember; sworn-in in 1952, a Steward of the Shipwrights since 1972, a member of the Stewards Committee for twenty-five years and of course visitor and events’ organiser for the Town Moor Money Charity (TMMC) for thirty-five years. But Ian has done a lot more than support and help develop the Freemen to the successful organisation it is today. As he has just passed ninety, it’s a good time to look back at his achievements.
Ian was born in Wallsend in April 1930. His father Alfred was a draughtsman working at Parsons and, when Ian left school, he joined his father there as an electrical engineering apprentice.
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In his spare time, Alfred set up the Newcastle Mechanical Club who made and sold steps, stools and other household items that were much needed in the 1930s. As demand slackened, their focus turned to gliders, which again they made. Ian remembers being wheeled around in one, aged five but not being airborne. Ian’s father was also involved in the Air Training Corps (ATC) which started in 1941. Ian didn’t want to be too associated with his father’s interests so he joined the Sea Cadets aged 13. Ian was called up for National Service in 1951 and greatly enjoyed his two years in the Forces. He joined the RAF and because of his experience with gliders (sitting in one) he became a trainee pilot. He learnt to fly in a Tiger Moth and advanced to flying solo in a Chipmunk. His flying career was cut short however when he messed around once too often, flying where and when he shouldn’t, and was moved to office duties. He had a number of postings around the south east of England and carried out such essential tasks as taking the ferry to Hook of Holland to fetch his Commanding Officer’s cheap cigarettes. Ian found life a bit dull when he returned to live with his parents, to work at Parsons and study at night classes. He met Freda, who worked in the offices at Parsons and they were married in 1960. She left Parsons then but Ian continued to work there. When he was fifty, Parsons offered voluntary redundancy and he decided to accept and concentrate on the things that he and Freda enjoyed. One of these was the Youth Hostels Association (YHA). Ian had been a member since he was fifteen. Having spent VE day at Edmundbyers and Allendale hostels, he decided to spend his Christmas money on life membership and then made sure he got good value from his investment. He and Freda spent their holidays in hostels far and wide and led parties of members on visits to Italy. They also worked as relief managers when local managers were ill, managing many hostels including Carlisle, Alston and Saltburn. Ian was already NE Regional Treasurer of the YHA when he
left Parsons and held various voluntary management roles over the years. He was Regional Vice President when he retired in 2016. Ian has also been involved in the local ATC since 1958 and is currently President. He has contributed to the work of a further nine voluntary organisations and government bodies, variously as a visitor, assessor, committee member, driver and still helps at Age UK. Ian became a Freeman in 1952 when he was on leave from the RAF. His father had joined in 1938 after his own father told him it was possible. He hadn’t done so before as he didn’t want his son to join and thus dilute his share of the stint money. Neither Ian nor his father was a Shipwright as it was a closed company, not admitting those whose parents weren’t Shipwrights and Ian’s great-grandfather wasn’t a Shipwright. They both joined the Guild of Freemen which offered a home to Freemen without a Company. In 1954 there were seven Shipwrights left and only two of them lived in the North East. The then Senior Steward, Eric Boutland set about saving the Company and the members agreed a rule change that allowed Freemen such as the Millers to join. Ian did so in 1962, followed by his father in 1963. Alfred became a Steward then Senior Steward. Ian became a Steward in 1972 then succeeded his father as Senior Steward in 1976. In his time as Senior Steward Ian actively encouraged people to join and membership increased to around one hundred and forty. He was particularly active signing
Ian meeting Prince Charles
up women once that was allowed; it helped that he knew everyone. And those women have been very active in signing up their own children. He also set up and maintained extensive records, lodged old papers in the Tyne and Wear archives and arranged for a book of extracts to be published by the Surtees Society. And he also encouraged Len Fenwick to become a Steward and nominated him for membership of the Stewards Committee. Ian himself was a member of the Stewards Committee from 1991. His main responsibilities involved the charitable aspects of the Freemen’s activities. He was also a trustee of Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust. He was offered the job of visitor by the TMMC in 1983. As well as visiting people in receipt of support from the charity he organised outings for them; coach trips in summer and a visit to the panto at Christmas. Along the way, he helped people fill in forms, claim money from other charities and offered company and support. The job ended in 2018. Ian left the Stewards Committee in 2015 when his eyesight made it difficult to continue and stood down as Senior Steward of the Shipwrights in 2018. He is still a Deputy Steward and organises visits to local attractions for Shipwrights and their friends. He also contributes to the Freemen’s magazine as he has always done. He has always been supportive of other Freemen encouraging them to get involved in the organisation. He has advised other companies on survival, a recent example being the Skinners and Glovers. Ian still has wealth of knowledge and is happy to share it and help. Best of all Ian is good fun. He is an acute observer of the human race and his judgements are mainly benevolent. He sees the funny side of life as shown in his “Visitor’s Tales” articles in the magazine. He has been very supportive of his successor as Senior Steward despite her poor proof reading and occasional attempts to flout tradition. Many Happy Returns Ian. Freemen Magazine
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WHY NEWCASTLE’S TOWN MOOR IS SO SPECIAL
G
raeme Whitfield, Business Editor of the Newcastle Chronicle, explains why he loves the Town Moor.
I have been trying to define what makes the North East so great and my best answer is – cows. I know that’s not the answer everyone would come up with, and it’s certainly not the most obvious one. But bear with me on this. Initially, I’d thought of mentioning the beaches of Northumberland, and the castles that dot that bit of the coast. From Druridge Bay to Low Newton, from Bamburgh to Alnmouth, there is no better place to be on a gloriously sunny day. Fortunately, as we don’t get a lot of gloriously sunny days around here, they are also wonderful in the depths of winter. I could also mention the architecture of Newcastle’s Grainger Town, which makes it one of the prettiest city centres in the country, while the bridges between Newcastle and Gateshead are wonderful.
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But I couldn’t really make a case that Newcastle is more attractive than, say, Bath or Edinburgh. Maybe I should argue the case for the friendliness of the North East. It’s almost impossible to have a bad night out here and we are welcoming to a fault. Certainly, people appear to be a lot nicer here than they are in London and other parts of the south. But even if there were some way of measuring chumminess, I’m sure there are other parts of the country that would do equally well. So, if I had to pick out one thing that makes Newcastle unique, the best answer I can come up with is: cows. In what other city, after all, can you say that if you walk five minutes out of the city centre, you can find yourself cheek-by-jowl with a herd of Charolais merrily munching away on their grass while the traffic whizzes by yards away? This is a major city with a bit of farmland in the middle of it.
Newcastle’s cows are there because of the Town Moor, a 1,000-acre piece of open space that is pretty unique.
It is bigger than Hampstead Heath and Hyde Park combined, bigger too than New York’s Central Park. It has been at the heart of the city since the 13th century and its status was confirmed as recently as 1988 with an Act of Parliament that protected it as a place where the people of Newcastle should have the right of ‘air and exercise’. Various roads cut through the separate bits of the Moor and bits of it have been utilised over the centuries – for Exhibition Park and Leazes Park, and for the Royal Victoria Infirmary. It has been used over its history for political rallies, agricultural shows and horse racing, and is still the annual venue of the Hoppings, where children of all ages come to joyously part their parents from the contents of their wallets with alarming efficiency.
But it is mostly empty space, there to walk across, run around and, essentially, graze cows on. Its slightly odd status is due to the cows, as the land is owned by the city but granted to the Freemen of Newcastle as long it is available for grazing.
That arrangement shouldn’t work and every now and then people will come along and say we should do more with the Town Moor, modernise it in some way. But those people are generally put back in their box pretty quickly. Even Newcastle United – at the height of its popularity – was given a polite ‘no, thank you’ when it proposed building a new stadium on a bit of the Moor.
I don’t admire Newcastle’s cows because I am particularly an animal lover, or, conversely, because I am a big fan of beef. No, what makes the cows so special to me is that they have become an everyday part of Tyneside life when, if you stop and think about it for just a minute, it’s all very random. Having hundreds of acres of pasture in the middle of a large city is, at the very least, incongruous. It’s like making all our
Graeme Whitfield on the Town Moor
roundabouts from jelly or electing the mayor by seeing who has the longest toe. And yet … we have cows in the middle of Newcastle! We walk past them on the way to work and barely give them a second glance. We step around their droppings as if that was what life in a big city is all about. The cows are a quiet reminder that we do things a bit differently up here. The North East has a distinctive identity, described by Dan Jackson in his recent book The Northumbrians: “an almost instinctive solidarity and friendly communalism, with offshoots in dry humour and treacly sentimentality.” We tend not to shout about how great the North East is, partly because we’re naturally a bit modest, I think, but also because we have economic challenges that mean life for many people can be tough. But the Newcastle Chronicle: Passionate People, Passionate Places campaign gives us all a chance to tell a different story. Yes, there is deprivation and yes, there are huge challenges facing our communities. But the North East is brilliant in so many ways and I’d like to start that different story by pointing out that we’ve got cows on the Town Moor and nowhere else does. Article reproduced by kind permission of Graeme Whitfield, Newcastle Chronicle Live On-Line, and Reach PLC. Images Courtesy of Newcastle Chronicle Freemen Magazine
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NEWCASTLE UNDER LOCKDOWN
O
ur job as Freemen is to defend our beautiful City. In years gone by, this would involve war or at least some type of armed combat with those pesky Scots! These days, defence of Newcastle upon Tyne is a little more subtle and the best thing we can do right now is to stay off the streets, stay home and stay safe . Newcastle in April 2020 is captured here for you to bore the Grandkids with in years to come!
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VISITOR’S TALES For many years, Ian Miller was the Town Moor Money Charity Visitor, visiting recipients and organising coach trips and pantomime visits.
E
tty was a youthful 84 when I first met her, very involved with the Cooperative Ladies Guild and the Ladies section of Cramlington Labour Party. I met her once on North Shields Fish Quay and asked her what she was doing such a long way from home and was told she always got her fish there and it was only three buses which were free! Etty once asked if her daughter could come on the coach trip if she paid for her, explaining that her husband had died and she was “Doon in the dumps”. The following year, I asked if her daughter would like to accompany her and was told that her daughter had died of a heart attack sitting in an armchair with a book on her lap. I learned that she had already lost another daughter and just had a son left. When 88 she told me of visiting a neighbour in hospital who had no relatives “poor soul” and I said that it was quite a journey of two buses each way. Apparently two lads on the bus platform had said “let this old lady past” and she stood back to let the old lady past!
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On reaching 90 and thereafter, I delivered a box of chocolates and a card on her birthdays and when she was 94, she said she’d invite me in but “I’ve got the girls in this afternoon” – I could hear them all and none of the girls were under 80! I researched her family tree for her 97th birthday - Etty’s family are the Marshalls from the Cordwainer Company - and gave it to her saying that no doubt it would interest her son, only to be told that he had died in August. After breaking her hip in a fall and losing the last of her children, I thought Etty would go into a care home and I feared this might be the last straw. Happily, I was wrong! When I called for her 98th birthday she came to the door with no stick. I remarked on this and was told she sometimes takes a stick when going out shopping. She continued to be as bright as a button right up to her 100th birthday. However, at 101 a carer let me in and Etty seemed to have lost her sparkle. I held up the bag containing the box of chocs and said “Guess what’s in here?” she didn’t look up and just said “Put them on the table”. Sadly, she died a week later – a memorable old lady.
Freemen of N
NOTICE BOARD BEREAVEMENTS
On behalf of the Freemen of the City of Newcastle, we extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the following Brothers and Sisters Ian Sutherland Tanners Irene Rafferty Barber Surgeons Peter Aylemore Scriveners Edwin Whaley Coopers Thomas Edward Annan Tanners Robert Weddell Tanners Nigel Ward Butchers & Hostmen
Mr Kevin Bate Moor Bank Lo Newcastle up Tel: 0191 2615 Email: admin Website: www
http://www.f freemenofne
EVENTS
The following events have been confirmed as cancelled for the 2020 season: Easter Guild Lord Mayor’s Church Parade Hoppings Pride Eid Prayers Local Heroes event, Guildhall Cancer Research UK runs (Rescheduled) Further announcements on cancellations or postponed events will be made on the Freemen of Newcastle website: www.freemenofnewcastle.org
Shipwrights Head Meeting for 1st June has been cancelled. COPYRIGHT: Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne. PUBLISHER: Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Sm Cordwainers Head Meeting for 15th June Tel: 01325 304360 Email: sue@rineypublishing.c has been cancelled
CHRISTMAS GUILD 20TH JANUARY 2020
We wish to congratulate the following Brethren on swearing in as Freemen of the City of Newcastle and when restrictions are lifted, we hope to see you taking part in the many traditions, events and activities that make us a proud, strong and vital part of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Isabel S. L. Stephenson, Merchant Adventurers; Ottilie C. E. Stephenson, Merchant Adventurers; Alexander J. F. Stephenson, Merchant Adventurers; Harry F. L. Stephenson, Merchant Adventurers;Margaret Rawlinson, Butchers; Hugh Danby-Platt, House Carpenters; Benjamin J. Hogg, Maters and Mariners; Timothy E. Connor, Skinners and Glovers; Simon B. Connor Skinners and Glovers; Ian D. Robinson, Goldsmiths Freemen Magazine
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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.
COPYRIGHT: Freeman of Newcastle upon Tyne. PUBLISHER: Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith Tel: 01325 304360 Email: sue@rineypublishing.co.uk PUBLISHER: Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith Tel: 01325 304360 Email: sue@rineypublishing.co.uk