ISSUE 27 DECEMBER 2020
CONTENTS
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Pastures New
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Moor Bank Gardens Makeover
4 Editorial
6-7
8
Michaelmas Guild New Chairman and Vice Chairman
9-10 A note from Our Chairman 11
The Beneficial Effects of Nature
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A Place of Solace
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Protecting our Open Spaces
14-15 Celebrating 10 years of Women Freemen– Part Two 16-17 Superintendent’s Report 18-19 Eighty Years On
20-21 Bygone Events on the Town Moor 22-23 Unlocking the Power of Plants
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24-25 There’s “Allot “going on 26
The Tanners and the Tudors
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St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust
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Visitor’s Tales
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Notice Board
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Famous Freemen
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Remembrance Sunday
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Brave the Shave
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Cover photo Chairman, David Wilson courtesy of Ann Wilson. Moor Bank and Town Moor photos courtesy of Kevin Batey and Ann Wilson. Kew photos courtesy of Abigail Carruthers. Graphic Design by Whiteleaf Design www.wleaf.co.uk. Guild photos courtesy of Jim Johnson and Helen Birkett. Thanks to article contributors; David Wilson, Barbara Nesbitt, Ian Miller, Jim Johnson, Tracy Kenny, Robert Glass, Abigail Carruthers, Helen Birkett. Special thanks to Sue Riney-Smith of Riney Publishing West Jesmond Allotment photo courtesy of Guy Herzmark
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PASTURES NEW S
ir Leonard Fenwick has stood down from the Stewards Committee after over 34 years as a member and as Chairman; during his tenure as Chairman, there have been many changes in Committee, contributing to the progress of the Freemen of Newcastle, in particular via two pieces of legislation. Sir Leonard was part of a dynamic team along with Stephen Alderson, Vice Chairman at the time, and Val Dodds, Head of Legal Services, Newcastle City Council, who came together to progress one of the most important pieces of legislation, a new Town Moor Act, which had become necessary to protect the Freemen and the Town Moors from the effect of the Local Government Act 1985, which if unchallenged would have effectively wiped out the rights of the Freemen of Newcastle and opened up the Town Moors for plundering, the Town Moor Act 1988 was the saviour. 20 years later under his Chairmanship we once again headed to Parliament with the City Council, this time to alter Clause 28 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 which was in the final stages of the Parliamentary procedure, the amendment constructed by Head of Legal Services, Val Dodds, changed the clause which, if left
unchallenged would have only given the right for Freemen throughout the Country to vote on whether or not to admit daughters as Freemen, our amendment gave daughters of Freemen the same rights as sons to be admitted as Freemen in their own right, fortunately our amendment received cross party support and was accepted and included in the Bill and received Royal Assent. Although there have been many challenges to overcome during his time as Chairman these two were the most important for the Freemen of Newcastle. The 2009 amendment also being of particular benefit to daughters of Freemen throughout the Country. We are confident Sir Leonard has left the Freemen of Newcastle stronger and in a better position than when he arrived and in safe hands with David Wilson being elected as Chairman after 10+ years as Vice Chairman. We extend our thanks to Sir Leonard for his monumental service and wish him the absolute best for the future.
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EDITORIAL
W
e never expected back in May when we published our last magazine, that we would still be living under restricted conditions due to Covid – 19 in the run up to Christmas. Our Freeman business has continued throughout with meetings conducted initially by videoconference and significant use of digital media to communicate effectively, and the letter on the right from the Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council is an example of collaboration done well. Work to manage the estate, especially on the agricultural and livestock side, has continued with appropriate social distancing in place. You only need to look at our incredible Town Moors to see – with all credit to our Town Moor Superintendent and his team – that they look truly amazing and we are enjoying hugely successful partnerships with graziers, City officials, community leaders and others. After much deliberation – and waiting with great trepidation for the Prime Minister’s announcement on revised restrictions Michaelmas Guild went ahead on 12th October. You can read all about it in this issue but perhaps the most important part of Guild was to appoint a new Chairman after Sir Leonard Fenwick stepped down after over 30 years in the role. We are delighted to see David Wilson, former Vice Chairman step into the job. David’s appointment left a vacancy and again, we are delighted to introduce you to Nick Atkinson, our new Vice Chair. Meet David, Nick and the rest of the Stewards Committee on pages 8-10. We thank Sir Leonard for his many years of service and very much look forward to a
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bright and successful future working with David and Nick and our business partners. Finally, – in our last issue we said David Hughes and Dr Peter Blenkinsop were stewards of the Millers Company, they are of course Coopers. Apologies to David, Peter and the Coopers and Millers Companies
From the Chairman and members of the Stewards Committee, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and peaceful 2021.
MOOR BANK GARDENS MAKEOVER
H
aving had a particularly wet Autumn, we decided to focus our attention on Moor Bank Gardens. The pond has been cleaned up and revamped, beds have been tidied and everything has been opened up to allow established planting to grow. The gardens have been divided into three distinct areas and we are rotating through each one in readiness for Spring. We hope to plant some trees and return some of the land to grassed areas.
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MICHAELMAS GUILD 2020
I
t takes a bit more than a global pandemic to keep Freemen from conducting their business and just to prove that point, Michaelmas Guild took place as planned on 12th October 2020. Meticulous planning ensured that a Covid -safe environment was put in place which not only ensured the safety of all Company Stewards who attended but allowed essential Freemen business to be approved and moved forward.
Stewards Committee would like to thank all those who attended and equally importantly, those who were asked not to attend because numbers were restricted and closely monitored.
The decision was made to use the Newcastle Eagles Arena as they have a function room big enough to allow a 2 metre gap between 30 attendees, and accommodate a one way system with sanitisation stations at various points throughout the building. Instructions on how to get there and what to expect on arrival were sent out and packs were assembled with the relevant paperwork to reduce paper handling on the day. All attendees were asked to bring masks and wear them if they were walking around; masks could be removed when attendees were sitting. A social distance policy of 2 metres was observed at all times. Spare masks, hand sanitiser and bottled water were all made available.
The planning started several weeks before the actual event with many venues researched and viewed. Stewards Committee contacted all Company Senior Stewards to invite them to attend; numbers were then analysed to ensure as many companies as possible were included and phone calls made to confirm arrangements. 6
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Nick Atkinson and Phil Powell set up a meet and greet at the door, signing people in, taking temperatures and directing people to the conference room. We’re very happy to report that all attendees were within the healthy temperature range.
the Newcastle Eagles Arena for the scrupulous and comprehensive attention to detail to make sure every effort was made to keep us all safe.
Jim Johnson and Chris Atkinson operated a roving microphone so that all questions could be effectively captured and answered. Canon Clare Maclaren re-jigged her busy diary to make sure she could attend and delivered thought provoking prayers for strength and fortitude during these challenging times.
Huge thanks go to Jim Johnson, Phil Powell, David Wilson, Nick Atkinson and the management and staff of Freemen Magazine
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NEW CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN ELECTED
M
ichaelmas Guild 2020 was memorable for another, vitally important reason; for the first time in over 30 years, Stewards Committee nominated a new Chairman and consequently a new Vice Chairman. It is with the greatest pleasure we can announce that Guild accepted and approved the nominations for David Wilson as Chairman and Nick Atkinson as Vice Chairman. David and Nick are two of the hardest working Freemen on the Stewards Committee and are now ready and willing to drive us forward into a dynamic 21st Century organisation. Needless to say, we are in great hands and look forward to a bright future for the Freemen of the City of Newcastle. We wish David and Nick the very best of luck and will be reporting progress in future magazines – you can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/freemenofnewcastle and on our website at www.freemenofnewcastle.org Over time we will review our communications strategy to make sure we keep you updated in the best possible ways. Chairman: David Wilson, Ropemakers, Hostmen David has been Vice Chairman since 2007, giving him over 13 years of valuable experience at the top of the organisation. In that time, he has built a massive network of contacts and is extremely well respected by peers across this network. David is involved in every aspect of Freemen business and has extensive knowledge of all activities from grazing to commercial property management.
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Outside of the Freemen, David runs a Business Consultancy specialising in Programme and Project Management of Business Change and another which offers payment services for internet based products/services. He has offered his expertise to many charitable organisations over the years and is currently Chair and Non-Executive Director for Donr Group Ltd, supporting good causes through provision of end to end crowd funding and charitable giving services. David is a foodie, so in his very rare spare time, he likes to discover and try out new restaurants. Vice Chairman: Nick Atkinson, Ropemakers As Commercial Director of Intelligencia Ltd, Nick has a wealth of experience of modern, cutting edge and innovative business practices across a wide range of industry sectors which he brings to the Stewards Committee table. His organisation is the sole provider of intelligence training to the UK Government working with many high-profile agencies and Police forces. He identified that over 90% of cyber-attacks are caused by user error or lack of awareness so he has made sure the Stewards Committee and Admin team have been put through their paces with his Cyber Stars training programme to keep our systems and data safe. Nick is also a volunteer water ranger for Northumbrian Water and Chairman of the Exhibition Park & Brandling Village Trust as the representative of the Freemen of Newcastle.
A NOTE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
I
t is my very great pleasure and privilege to accept the post of Chairman of the Freemen of the City of Newcastle. On your behalf, I want to provide leadership which will strengthen the Freemen and help and encourage all Freemen and the wider public to recognise the relevance of the Freemen of Newcastle in the 21st Century, also, to be aware of, and appreciate, the diverse and important work we do for the benefit of the City, the public and the environment. We should never underestimate the value of the effort and support that you as Freemen give to enable this to continue into the future.
Jim Johnson Tanners, Hostmen
Jim has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the rules, regulations and the whole of the Town Moor estate and keeps us all on track. He provides oversight in the office for admin and IT matters but perhaps Jim’s most important role is Events Manager. He is on the Town Moor Joint Working Group, has an excellent relationship with all of our event and business partners and works exceptionally long hours to keep things – especially events such as the Hoppings - running smoothly. Jim, his sons and now his grandsons are NUFC nuts!
Our priorities over the coming months will be to ensure our Operational activities continue and are sustainable, bearing in mind our strong commitment to protect our open spaces, the environment and biodiversity, including climate change mitigation; we will strengthen and widen our business partnership network to ensure we take advantage of the many opportunities available to us. We will have a transparent and open communication style. It’s fair to say, we have a lot of work to do; I’m delighted to say we have a very strong and skilled Stewards Committee who are keen to ensure ongoing and future success. With that in mind, I think it’s high time you met the rest of the team who work so diligently on our behalf, and whilst it’s fair to say we all roll our sleeves up to get the job done, we each have specific skill sets we bring to the table:
Keith Hall Masters and Mariners, Hostmen, Colliers
For many years, Keith was a trustee of the St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Hospital and was instrumental in project managing the building of 49 fabulous new bungalows on the estate. He is the Chairman of the Town Moor Money Charity (TMMC) which has provided much needed financial assistance for thousands of Freemen and their widows over the years. Keith has completed 29 Great North Runs so far, raising thousands for charity and is looking forward to his 30th GNR next year.
Chris Atkinson Ropemakers Chris has particular interest in all construction and infrastructure projects. Chris provides expert advice on issues relating to the property portfolio such as Guildhall, Blue House and Moor Bank Lodge to name a few. He also provides invaluable input to projects involving the history of Newcastle and is a trustee of TMMC. Chris has been an associate of the Great Run Company for almost 40 years Chris, is grandad to the lovely Grace, who we met in Issue 24
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Alan Bainbridge Goldsmiths, Hostmen
Helen Birkett Cordwainers, Hostmen
Alan organises the Annual Lord Mayor’s Parade, liaising with the Lord Mayor’s Office and St Nicholas’s Cathedral. Alan has extensive knowledge of the whole Freemen estate and provides expert advice on local and community activities and leads on our Allotment Estate Management. He is also a Trustee of the St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust.
Helen has reviewed the Stewards Committee Governance processes bringing them in line with Charities Commission guidelines and introduced a new Code of Conduct. She leads the Editorial Team which produces the Freemen Magazine and is one of the Facebook admins. She is a Trustee of the St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust, setting up and chairing their Residents Committee and is helping to review their governance.
Alan’s daughter Lesley was one of the first women to be sworn in as a Freeman
Helen is a Reiki Master and Wellness Coach
Paul Anderson Bricklayers, Wallers and Plasterers, Hostmen
Paul enjoyed a career for over forty years as a manager in the NHS and Private hospitals working in the North East and Yorkshire. He is a Trustee and Secretary for the TMMC, Finance Committee member and Trustee of the St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust. Paul has also recently taken on the mammoth task as Archivist for the Freemen. Paul is currently researching his family ancestry, and with four young grandsons to date, hopes to see them all sworn in, in due course. Finally, the Executive Team wouldn’t be complete without:
Phil Powell - Masons
David Waugh Upholsters, Hostmen
Phil has a wealth of management, HR and finance skills and experience and is the best possible choice to provide line management support to our staff. Phil stepped in when our previous Treasurer was unavailable and more recently, he has provided invaluable CV-19 guidance to ensure safe working practices for the Stewards Committee, staff and Freemen in general. Phil is Vice Chair of TMMC.
David is the latest recruit to the Stewards Committee and is our Honorary Treasurer. He is a chartered accountant and therefore professionally qualified for this role. David has revised and significantly improved accounting processes and produces detailed and comprehensive financial reports for Stewards Committee and Guild.
Phil coaches the Chester-Le-Street Amazelles ladies football team
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David is proud new Grandad to future freeman George
Kevin Batey - Town Moor Superintendent
Kevin is responsible for land management of almost 1000 acres of Town Moor. This includes treating and maintaining the grass, grazing, cattle management, liaising with farmers and contractors, fencing, buildings and estate maintenance, drainage and preparing for the many and varied events. The Admin Team, under Kevin’s leadership liaise with the City, Lord Mayor’s office and our other business partners. They keep records up to date and arrange swearing in ceremonies and much, much more… Kevin relaxes by fishing and chasing his chickens around the garden.
THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF NATURE O
ne of the worrying side effects of lockdown is people’s mental health and wellbeing. Whilst we are being advised to stay at home to help control the virus, this has its side effects, such as loneliness for those who live alone, and are not able to go to the office or visit friends. For students, starting university can be a challenge and even without a global pandemic, the stresses and worries of life can impact us all. With current restrictions making it difficult to meet and spend time with others, there is strong evidence to support that mental health is increasing at an alarming rate. While we cannot socialise or get out and about so often, there are ways of helping our mental well-being. Spending time outdoors has health benefits that cannot be gained by any ‘conventional’ medicine. Exercise is also great for mental health, so put the two together by exercising outdoors!
Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. They work by binding to neuron receptors in a similar manner to drugs such as morphine. This reduces feelings of pain and produces a feeling of optimism after finishing exercise. Dopamine is released when your brain is expecting a reward. For example, when you are looking forward to a pint after a long day at work! Aerobic exercise also helps to increase levels of dopamine in the brain. This results in increased happiness, motivation and alertness.
Gavin Atkins, head of communities at Mind, the mental health charity, said: “Research by Mind and others has consistently shown getting out into nature is not only good for mental health but can also help address the social issues that come with having a mental health problem. It has been shown in some cases to be more effective – and cost less – than medication. Access to nature-based activities improves mental wellbeing, helps people to become more physically active, can give people the skills and confidence to get back into work or training and helps those who are lonely or socially isolated to connect with others.”
Some of you may know the feeling of elation you get after physical exertion, known as ‘runners’ high’. Physical exercise is hugely beneficial to brain health, as it increases brain cell production, slows brain ageing and relieves stress. It also improves sleep quality and concentration, and the sense of achievement boosts self-esteem. ‘Runners’ high’ is triggered by the release of neurotransmitters, including endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. Neurotransmitters are chemicals which carry signals between nerve cells or from nerve cells to other cells.
Serotonin is a mood regulator. Low levels of serotonin in the brain are associated with depression and anxiety. Antidepressants work by preventing serotonin re-uptake, resulting in increased levels of it in the brain.
Various studies have demonstrated that spending time in natural environments can benefit mental health. Along with exercise, exposure to sunlight also helps increase levels of mood-boosting neurotransmitters. Being outdoors is a great chance to take some time out, and this does not necessarily have to involve vigorous exercise. Take some time to stop and be still outdoors, watching the birds, or walking by the river. Perhaps find something creative to do such as drawing or photography. A further benefit of spending time out of doors is vitamin D, which is created by the body when our skin is exposed to the sun. In the dark winters, its especially important to get as much sun as possible, so make the most of those beautiful crisp winter mornings!
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PROTECTING OUR OPEN SPACES O ver hundreds of years the Freemen of Newcastle have vigorously guarded the open space of the Town Moors ensuring the right of air and exercise for the residents of Newcastle; the Town Moor Act 1988 enshrines the rights of the Freemen to graze cattle on the Moors thus protecting the open space.
A recent study indicated that residential green space may be beneficial for the intellectual and the behavioural development of children living in urban areas, which supports our belief that having access to the green open space of the Moors has significant physical and mental health benefits. There are many pressures on this space ranging from groups advocating things such as housing, car parks, commercial development or a City forest. We do not sit on our laurels looking back at what we have achieved, we continue to protect the open space whilst maintaining the Moors and the many gated accesses to the Moors and providing first class allotments, also protecting the environment, we are always looking forward. With this in mind, we recognise the pressures on the City Council to deliver their environmental responsibilities and the importance of the carbon footprint of the City, which is why we are working very closely with the Council and City officers to substantially increase the tree population within the City
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and in particular on the Town Moors. Within a small working group chaired by Councillor Ged Bell, Cabinet member for Employment and Culture, we have identified many areas on the periphery of the Town Moors that will benefit from a program of tree planting which is in line with the City Council’s tree strategy.
This is a long-term ambition that will see many hundreds of extra trees planted over the coming years. One of the first is on Nuns Moor where up to 100 trees will be planted in partnership with the charity Walking with the Wounded and the City Council. The program of tree planting is being Councillor Ged Bell sensitively developed to ensure that the open space and vista of the Town Moors are protected. This is just one area where we are working closely with the City Council to implement our joint vision for the Town Moors and the City, a developing relationship of which we are immensely proud. All that we do is facilitated by the support of the 28 active companies through your Stewards at Guild for which you should be rightly proud.
A PLACE OF SOLACE
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s Freemen, we all know how important it is to protect the Moors – but how important is it to others? Our intrepid reporter Tracy Kenny (Tanners) caught up with a couple of Newcastle residents to find out…
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many have sought solace in the simple pleasures of the Town Moor; the vast open green space providing a much-needed safe haven to promote physical and mental wellbeing during an otherwise fraught time. We caught up with Karen and Arnie Green, who have been living in a flat on the very edge of the Town Moor for 20 years and as a result, couldn’t have felt more blessed during lockdown. “Back in 2000, we were slightly dubious about viewing a first floor flat, but as soon as we stepped through the front door and were greeted with panoramic views of the Town Moor set against a stunning sunset, we knew this was our forever home. 20 years on, we still have everything we need right here and adore the fact we can look out of our window at 1000 rolling acres, dotted with cows peacefully grazing, yet we are only a 30 minute walk from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The Town Moor really was a place of solace for us during March/April; we walked daily across the moor and often racked up to 11 miles on the Fitbit without even having to leave the Town Moor boundaries. It was also great to see so many families walking and playing out together, not just the usual individuals walking their dog, but complete family groups with both parents! Our neighbours are both elderly and due to health issues
haven’t been out of their flat since March, apart from walking their dog every day on the moor. If it wasn’t for the moor on their doorstep, I’m certain they wouldn’t have ventured outside at all which would have been devastating for their mental health. The large amount of space available ensured they could keep 20 metres apart from anyone else (rather than the recommended 2) if they so wished, which was just that added peace of mind. Seeing snowdrops or daffodils are the more common signs that denote Spring is here, but in our flat the sign is slightly more unique – the sudden appearance of cows on the Town Moor. When we first spot cows on the Town Moor (normally in April) we know for certain that winter is over and spring is here. The cows are very entertaining when they first arrive and charge around kicking their back legs and head butting each other, having an absolute ball – it’s just wonderful to watch. A few years ago, we were privileged to witness one of the cows giving birth to a calf just outside of our window, it was tiny and jet black, it had us absolutely mesmerised for days – so it’s fair to say life on the Town Moor is never dull. If this last year has taught us anything, it’s to be grateful for what you have and count your blessings; the Town Moor with all it’s simple pleasures and natural wonders would absolutely be at the top of our list” Freemen Magazine
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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF WOMEN FREEMEN
PART TWO
S
ince the last issue of the Freemen magazine, we have managed to track down the remaining original 10 women who were sworn in as hereditary Freemen of Newcastle Upon Tyne at the Easter Guild on 12 April 2010. Professor Ruth Plummer (Bricklayer) “I was delighted to be one of the first group of women to be sworn in as Freemen. The work of the Freemen of the City was part of family life throughout my childhood. My father was a member of the Stewards Committee for years, and I had been with him and the rest of the family to social events such as the Town Moor opening ceremonies. Working also at the “Freeman Hospital” for more than 20 years, Sir Leonard had kept me updated with progress of the Beverley Bill, a step my father was also strongly in favour of. Historically, my company is the Bricklayers, Wallers and Plasterers. I have also become a member of the Scriveners Company, as my father was involved when this was re-energised - so it felt right to join” Maureen Brien (Joiner) – “I was very surprised when I was invited to be one of the first women Freemen, the build up to the event itself was a mixture of nerves and excitement; on the day I just knew my dad would be have been so proud. Since then, I have been going to the yearly meetings at the Guildhall on St Peter’s day and I’m now a Junior Steward. My father Joseph William Carr and his brothers Harry & Jack Carr (sons of William Armstrong Carr) were all sworn in on the same day 1 February 1947. My cousin John Carr was made a Freeman when he was 22 in 1968 - he
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was also a Steward. It was lovely to see my cousins: June, Sandra and Fiona being sworn in on the same day 19 July 2010” Beverly Heron (Ropemaker) “I felt really privileged to be one of the first 10 ladies to be sworn in. I had been closely following the progress of the Beverley Bill with my father, who sadly passed away just days after the bill went through the House of Commons.
The day itself was nerve wracking, but also a very proud moment to be part of history and a Freeman of the city I love. I love family history and found an old newspaper cutting from when my father was sworn in during 1959 – something I will treasure always. Whilst tracing my family tree back to the 1700’s, I discovered that my great, great, great grandfather’s occupation was Ropemaker on the 1861 census. My eldest daughter was sworn in during 2017 and I’m looking forward to seeing my youngest daughter get sworn in next year when she turns 20.
Nina today
Maureen Bell (Weaver) Our 10th and final lady from the original 10 to be sworn into the Freemen sadly passed away in March this year, but her daughter Maureen Laydon (nee Bell) kindly stepped in to tell us more about this wonderful lady and her love of the Freemen: “I attended the ceremony on the day my Mother was made one of the first women Freemen. It was a real family affair with her son John, son-in-law Les, daughter-in-law Susan and her grandchildren also attending. We were all so very proud of her and went for a celebratory meal that evening. My Mother had researched her family history and was very proud of her heritage and her Geordie roots. Her father and uncle had both been Weavers, but as neither of them had sons, the family tradition would have died with them; so she was over the moon when she was contacted and informed that due to the change in legislation, she could become a Freeman. My Mother’s family going by the name of Skirving, actually fought the Scots and defended Newcastle; my Mother was married to a wonderful Scotsman John Bell, who moved to Newcastle when they married in 1957 and he loved the City as much as his wife. Our family have become quite involved in the Freemen over the last 10 years. At the earliest opportunity myself and John (my brother) both became Weavers too. Tragically, John was killed in an accident at work in 2014 which devastated the whole family. John has three children, Sophie, James and Daniel who will carry on in his footsteps with the Freemen as soon as they are old enough. My two daughters, Sarah and Lauren are now Freemen, and they in turn have children,
Elena and Seb [Maureen Bell’s great grandchildren], who we hope will eventually become Weavers too. My Mother was a junior steward and thoroughly enjoyed attending meetings at the Guildhall. In later years, she found that her health and mobility were preventing her from attending as many meetings as she would have liked, so in 2019 aged 82, she stepped down from the position, but was delighted when her granddaughter Lauren, took on the role of steward in her place. My grandfather, James Skirving became a Freeman on 24 February 1937, he was also a steward in the company of Weavers and we have all seen his lovely copperplate writing in our company ledgers. His father and grandfather had also been Weavers with the family name “Skirving” going back over many decades. To become a Freeman was considered by my Mother and her family to be a great honour. We have a beautiful city with a rich, cultural history, beautiful buildings and unique areas like the Town Moor that should be protected, cherished and passed on to future generations. The Weavers was a small company, with sometimes only a couple of members attending annual meetings, however, thanks to passing of the Beverly Bill, our numbers have dramatically increased and now we have a new generation waiting in the wings to continue with this wonderful tradition”
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SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT W e have had another successful grazing season; working effectively with the graziers resulted in a fine presentation of cattle across the Moors. Our strong grazing and acquisition network means our strategy for cattle purchase and sale is working well and we intend to continue to nurture these successful business partnerships. Bottle Digging
The problem of individuals digging for old bottles on the site of the historic rubbish tips under Nuns Moor has once again arisen. You will recall that previously we arranged for the majority of the site to be professionally cleared, however illegal digging has recommenced in areas near to the tree lines, leaving large pits on the Moors and causing damage to the tree roots as well as creating a significant safety issue for pedestrians, their pets and of course, livestock. I am working closely with City Council enforcement officers and Northumbria Police to try to address this situation and hopefully identify the individuals responsible. 16
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Nuns Moor South strategy
We are delighted that after a major amount of effort and resource from the Freemen and in consultation with City Council officers the long running works on Nuns Moor south, at the corner
in the World, with a track record of protecting and maintaining our green spaces going back over 800 years, are keen to continue to support climate change mitigation and are aware of the role that the Town Moors have and will continue to have in achieving this. We are working on tree planting schemes to maintain and extend the arboreal assets on the Moors. This will be done, of course, without impacting on grazing or the character of the Moors. Recently 60 trees were planted in the verges of Grandstand Road as part of work to maintain the wonderful tree avenues we have around the Moors. Guildhall of Brighton Grove/Barrack Road, are now completed. The new drainage system is working and the new pasture is establishing well. The pasture now needs to gain strength and stability; with this in mind it is planned to return the area to grazing for the 2022 season. The new vista from Brighton Grove and Fenham Hall Drive is stunning and will be enjoyed by many thousands of people using this main route into the City. This new area of open space will provide a much-needed facility for air and exercise for the local communities, making this previously closed off and partly derelict site into an area of beauty and public open space is an achievement the Freemen can be rightly proud of. Climate Change/Tree planting
Climate Change and biodiversity are current areas of public concern. The Freemen, who are possibly the longest existing environmental protection group
The condition of the Guildhall and the need for maintenance of the building continues to give concern. We are liaising with City Council officers to ensure they are aware of the concern and the need for appropriate action. Work continues on the development of the Hard Rock Café on the ground floor of the building, the works have caused major problems with dust throughout the main Court area and the Merchants Hall; these have now been addressed through the City Council. Events 2020 As you are aware, all events due to take place on the Moors in 2020 were cancelled. Subject to a resolution of the Covid-19 issues we are hoping for a full programme of events to return in 2021 and have commenced initial discussions regarding some of the larger events.
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Beltingham House
EIGHTY YEARS ON…
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his year, we commemorated 80 years since the Battle of Britain – the famous and decisive World War II air battle between Britain and Nazi Germany, taking place between July and October, 1940. It was also the first battle in history to take place entirely in the air. Ian Miller, Shipwright and ex-RAF pilot tells us how it felt to be an evacuee during WWII. Eighty years ago, we pupils of Walkergate Junior School boarded a steam train to Brampton Station and a bus took us to a large barn type of building in the town centre. We stood in a group while locals walked around us, some looking for a strong lad and others looking for a smart girl – it was similar to a cattle market. However, because these people had spare rooms, they were obliged to take an evacuee or two to live with them, so they had to be careful.
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Thankfully, I was selected soon along with classmate Bob Matthewson and his brother and sister. The teenage brother missed his pals and the young sister missed her mother and both went home after a week, leaving Bob and I as the only evacuees with poultry farmer Fred Jackson and his wife in their huge bungalow, Culmore on the Tarn Road. As an only child I now had a brother 24/7 and it was great! We had about a mile to walk to school, past Dixon’s Farm and along Tree Road. Our foster mother was a very pleasant lady who fed us well with many extras to our wartime rations. The spare rooms had been used as a B & B so Mrs. Jackson was a good cook too. Often in the evenings she would read stories to us or we would play ludo, dominoes or the Parson’s cat – where we had to go through the alphabet using different adjectives like “the Parson’s cat is an Artful cat, Awful cat, Brown cat Beautiful cat etc.”
There were woods behind our home for us to explore and sometimes we would take a sack and collect fallen pinecones for the fire. Mr. Jackson would also point out to us rabbit runs where he would set his snares – we never saw the trapped rabbits, but we enjoyed eating them. Once we went to play with Billy Dixon at the farm and discovered that there was a beck there which we saw as a challenge. Large stones and clods of turf were used to dam the stream but sadly we didn’t notice that we had flooded the farmyard and were banned from playing with Billy again. The Luftwaffe were in no hurry to bomb Newcastle and my mother brought me home again, possibly to make sure that I was wearing my vest but ending a super six-month holiday. Our neighbour was Head of Carville School and had taken my grandmother on as a helper for some of their evacuees at Beltingham House, near Bardon Mill. The Bowes-Lyon family had locked their belongings in half of the house and let evacuees have the rest, while the family went to live at their other residence at Ridley Hall nearby. Consequently, when bombing did start, I was sent to join my grandmother and this was even better than Brampton, as I had a brother Billy Surtees and two sisters Joyce and Maureen Stone. One evening we all walked to Bardon Mill to get fish and chips, singing all the way and coming back I hurried ahead to put the kettle on and hide under the kitchen table. Unfortunately, when Billy came in, he kicked off his wellies under the table and I got a black eye! Another day I saw a robin in the holly bush in our garden and rushed into the house to tell them that a robin was there and it wasn’t Christmas! Everyone laughed at my ignorance thinking that they only appeared at Christmas. We lived next door to a church but never attended until word got out that Lady Bowes-Lyon intended coming and we were begged to join the meagre congregation. Again, in my ignorance I could not understand all the fuss about her being a lady – after all, my mother was one, using the Ladies while Dad and I used the Gents! For my only attendance I got an album with
religious pictures inserted. All good things come to an end and the Bowes-Lyons arranged to have convalescent officers use their house and Billy and I were posted off to Greenhead Vicarage! I cannot remember ever seeing the vicar, but his wife, Mrs. Sumner looked after us. Our bedroom was up the back stairs with a banister on the wall, whereas the front stairs were grand with a wide banister just asking to be slid down. I had just mastered the art of whistling but learned that whistling inside the vicarage was forbidden. Likewise, the grounds were full of trees but young explorers must not disturb the nesting birds! After about three weeks Mrs. Sumner decided that she had done enough for the war effort and I was back home, never to see Billy again. Finally, somehow my parents had me evacuated yet again but this time with my cousins Elaine and Evelyn to a terrace house on Castle View, Ovingham. We were cared for by an old lady who already had a lad called David in her care. At the start of each meal she would say “David, your grace” and he would obediently say it. Across the road was the River Tyne and further along the terrace Clark’s shop with daughter Betty in my class and Winnie next door. Betty was a tomboy with straight blonde hair while Winnie was the opposite, very girlie with permed hair. Once I found a stamp in the grass and took it into school where there was a lad, you’ve met the type, who seems to know everything, nowadays we’d call him Google. He said the stamp was Russian and I asked if that meant a Russian lived nearby. He said obviously not. It had come on a letter from Russia and as it was off paper it was likely dropped accidently by a stamp collector. Anyway, it started my collection. My father asked me what I did at school and I said that sometimes we worked in the school vegetable garden or sang North Country folk songs - he was not impressed! He thought that I should be at a “proper” school with my 11+ scholarship due soon – so my adventures came to an end! I do not ever recall being unhappy at any time. Freemen Magazine
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BYGONE EVENTS ON THE TOWN MOOR THE ROYAL SHOW
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arbara Nesbitt, Senior Steward of the Shipwrights remembers visiting the Royal Show on the Town Moor in 1962. The Royal Show was an annual event run by the Royal Agricultural Society of England from 1839 to 2009. Until 1963, it was held at one of a selection of venues including Liverpool, Birmingham and Newcastle Town Moor. Many of you may remember it on the Moor in 1956 and 1962, the previous visit was 1935. Newcastle always attracted a big crowd and almost quarter of a million people attended in 1956. In 1962 it occupied a large area including the Hoppings site but extending further west up Claremont Road. There was of course no central motorway in 1962. This would also have meant that most of the traffic, including horse boxes and cattle trucks, would have arrived via the Great North Road, which in those days included Northumberland Street and Gosforth High Street. The show had classes for all farm animals from heavy horses to poultry as well as a flower show and local specialities such as racing pigeons and pit ponies. There were also many trade stands with wonderful displays of farm machinery and demon-
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stration areas for such things as dry stone walling and sheep shearing. And of course, there were the beer tents. The show lasted for four days and competitors came from all over the country so what seemed like miles of tents were needed to house the animals, equipment and provisions. As well as the exhibits there were marches of massed military bands, performances by a motor bike display team, parades of foxhounds and much more. Last but not least there was my favourite, show jumping. In 1962 top riders including David Broome and Harvey Smith were competing. The show was inconveniently (for those at work or school) held from Tuesday to Friday and the 1962 show was held in early July. However, proceedings went on past 7pm and admission was half price on the last two afternoons. Aged twelve, I think, I went on three days after school; once with a friend and then on my own on the last two days for only 1/- for each of them. I had shelled out 5/- for a catalogue so I had to get my money’s worth. One of the photos shows the famous showjumper Pegasus with my friend Pat. Pegasus was ridden by Ted Williams, one of the leading riders in the 1950s and 1960s. It’s a good demonstration of how times have changed as we could wander up close to valuable horses whereas now, they would be well guarded.
Another photo shows pit ponies. They were still working in collieries in the north east but came to the surface for their summer holidays and were turned out immaculately for shows. On the final afternoon the trade stands were being dismantled and I acquired some free bedding plants that I somehow carried back proudly to Faw-
don on the bus. After 1962 the Royal Show continued at the Society’s HQ at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire so we were lucky to see the last travelling show. The shows stopped altogether after 2009 rather oddly citing lack of demand even though other huge agricultural shows such as the Great Yorkshire and Royal Highland continue to thrive.
RACING
Grandstand Road....Racing in Newcastle is first recorded in 1632 when the Newcastle Corporation paid £20 for ‘two silver potts’ to be raced for on Killingworth Moor. There was also an unsuccessful attempt to stage races at Shieldfield in the 17th century....The Town Moor became a racing venue in 1721. By the end of the century changes in racing were occurring, with the construction of fully enclosed racecourses where everyone paid an entrance fee. Consequently, the racecourse was moved in 1881 to Gosforth Park....
EXECUTIONS
Amongst those who met a grizzly end on the Town Moor, is 21 year old Robert Knowles who was hanged in 1776 for stealing a letter.
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UNLOCKING THE POWER OF PLANTS
O
ur features writer Abigail Carruthers (Tanners) gives us an insight into her amazing work at Kew Gardens.
paths lead past olive trees, the Cork Oak and Italian Cypress, and that distinctive ‘Mediterranean’ smell lingers in the air.
Kew Gardens is the world leader in plant science and conservation, as well as having some spectacular gardens. I was privileged to work there this year for a while, in the Jodrell Laboratory.
Behind the scenes at Kew, vital work is going on in horticulture and science. Plants and fungi are needed to support every ecosystem, providing food and shelter for animals and humans. Kew works to protect plants and fungi and uncover their potential uses. Horticulturists find out the growing conditions needed by very rare plants. For example, café marron is a wild relative of the coffee plant that grows on a tiny island in the Indian Ocean. It was thought to be almost extinct. Samples were found and sent to Kew. At Kew, horticulturists managed to get the plant to root and eventually produce fruit. New plants were sent back to their natural habitat to re-establish a stable wild population.
If you have visited, you will remember the extensive gardens and huge trees; or perhaps the highlight of your visit was the glasshouses? There is something exciting about entering and being transported to exotic lands. Enter the Princess of Wales Conservatory, walk through the desert, with a huge variety of cacti, succulents and trees such as the baobab. Then, through some doors, and into the hot, damp, tropical rainforest. Here, if you are lucky, you might even spot a lizard or a chameleon! There is always something new to encounter when exploring Kew. My favourite part is the Mediterranean Garden. Narrow
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Kew is home to the largest plant collection in the world. 5,000 living plants, including 14,000 trees, make up the ‘living collection’. The Herbarium houses dried plant
specimens and in the DNA bank, samples are kept in freezers to be used in analyses. Kew’s sister site, Wakehurst Place, the wild botanic garden in Sussex, keeps the Millennium Seed Bank. Here, 2.4 million seeds are stored, retaining plant diversity in case it is lost in the wild. Kew’s scientific research includes finding new species, identifying plants threatened with extinction, investigating disease, collecting wild relatives of crop plants and much more. After lockdown, the Jodrell opened up again. My research was in molecular biology, looking at plant DNA. DNA is the code that determines the structure and function of all living organisms. It is made up of a chain of molecules called nucleotides. In short, these are written as a series of the letters A, C, T and G. Genes are short pieces of DNA that determine which proteins are made, which in turn govern the plant (or animal’s appearance). Individuals of a certain plant species have similar genes, therefore similar DNA sequences. Thus, plants that are closely related to each other look similar, just as we look similar to our close family.
crops for biofuel on land that is unsuitable to grow food. Fuel crops must be grown sustainably and used in a way that minimises carbon emissions. The answer to diseases such as cancer, diabetes and dementia are plants. This is only one of the many reasons for not clearing rainforests. What if the cure for cancer was in the patch that was just cut down? Some developments have been made in this area. For example, a compound found in apple inspired a class of drugs called the flozins, developed to control blood glucose levels in diabetics. The Pacific Yew produces a compound that has been developed to use in some chemotherapy. There is so much more, and if you are interested, I would encourage you to read the report in full. You can find it on the Kew website, or contact me for a copy. Overall, from magnificent gardens to cutting-edge plant research, Kew is a hive of activity in all things plant and fungi and well worth a visit!
DNA sequencing is the process of finding out what this series of letters are. DNA is first extracted from the plant, then a sequencer produces the series of letters (although it is a bit more complicated than that!). This sequence can then be used to identify the species. This is the same basic process that would have occurred if you were to have an ancestry DNA test. Last month, Kew published the ‘State of the World’s Plants and Fungi’ report, which covers a huge breadth of very important research. One part identified new species with potential uses as crops, energy providers or medicine. Currently, just a few species make up the majority of our diet. With a rising human population and threats of climate change, it is important to increase the diversity of the food plants we eat. Like crops, very few species are used to make biofuel. The challenge is growing Freemen Magazine
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THERE’S “ALLOT” GOING ON
T
he Freemen of Newcastle have enabled the provision of allotments for many years, as the second largest provider of allotments space in the City (after Urban Green & Newcastle City Council). Based on an average plot size of 125 sq.m. and factoring in space for access paths etc. we provide space for over 1,000 allotments. We are fully aware of the benefits allotments provide, including initiatives such as educational links and biodiversity; growing food and flowers has proven benefits for both physical and mental health and wellbeing. Nuns Moor South Allotments
This is the former allotment site at Brighton Grove. City Officers and the Freemen worked hard over several years to make this allotment 24
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site work, however despite our best efforts and those of some individuals in the Association, the site was beset with ongoing management issues, vandalism, criminal damage, non-compliance with the lease and dereliction. Eventually, after many complaints (including concern from the local Police), there was no other recourse but to end the lease on the site. After reviewing the options for the site, it was assessed that given the shortage of green open space, particularly in the Arthurs Hill and Walters Terrace areas, the site should no-longer be closed off to the public and would give greatest long term amenity to the majority of the community and the City by being made available as an open space for enjoyment, leisure, air and exercise, and visual amenity. The derelict buildings/structures have
been removed from site, the land has been graded, new topsoil has been applied, in consultation with City Officers new drainage systems have been designed and installed, and the site has been reseeded. A tree planting scheme and fence renewal are planned along the boundary with Nuns Moor Park, this will be done in dialogue with Urban Green and Greening Wingrove. Already this has opened up a beautiful new vista from Fenham Hall Drive, Barrack Road and Brighton Grove, particularly important on this main route into the City.
of maintenance and no longer fit for purpose, in particular the safety issues related to the glass structures were noted. With this in mind the buildings/ structures have been removed from site. In reality this was not a ‘Botanic’ garden, it was an academic/educational facility and although a relatively small number of volunteers did help out with maintenance it was not open to the public. The topology and tree cover of the lower part of the site makes it unsuitable for allotments. The area cleared of structures is now part of our operational site.
Moor Bank Gardens
We look forward to continuing to protect and maintain the environment of Newcastle and to work with our partners to ensure public amenity, mitigate climate change, enable sustainable travel (stroll, walk, jog, cycle etc.), contribute to mental health well-being, maintain biodiversity etc. etc.
This was a private site adjacent to our operational premises, and with shared access, leased by Newcastle University for academic purposes. In due course the site became out of date and surplus to requirements for the University, and they terminated the lease. When the University vacated the site there were a number of structures left on site, including a large area of old greenhouses. The greenhouses, heating and electrical systems were in need
While other people talk about saving the planet, the Freemen of Newcastle actually do it on a daily basis!
West Jesmond Allotments Freemen Magazine
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THE TANNERS AND THE TUDORS Tanner, Robert Glass reflects on life in the 16th Century…
S
ome of the guilds of the Newcastle Freemen were founded as far back as the twelfth century. The various guilds could form by Royal Charter and these included Fishmongers, Merchant Mariners, Coopers, Blacksmiths, Saddlers and Scriveners. However, the purpose of this article is to cast the spotlight onto the early days of the Tanners guild. The first Tanners meeting is recorded to have taken place an astounding 488 years ago in 1532, which was during the reign of the infamous King Henry VIII. During this period, Henry was desperately trying to divorce his first wife, the Spanish Queen - Catherine of Aragon, after he realized that she was unable to bear him a son and heir. Despite many relationships with the ladies of his court, including Bessie Blount, who gave birth to the king’s illegitimate son (Henry Fitzroy), Henry VIII needed a legitimate son to secure his Tudor dynasty, and soon had set his sights on Anne Boleyn. Many people believe that Henry’s relationship with Anne Boleyn was a brief affair, but this is not the case, it took several years of Henry trying and eventually failing to persuade the Pope for an annulment from his first marriage. Eventually, the headstrong King decided to go it alone and divorce himself from Catherine and married Anne Boleyn in 1533 - only one year after the formation of the Tanners guild. It is unlikely that any of our brethren were invited to the wedding and coronation, such invites where reserved only for those with nobility of bloodline, which separated the aristocracy from the poorer middle classes. However, an anomaly of this general rule of thumb was in fact Henry’s lawyer, Thomas Cromwell who was of very low bloodline. His father Walter, was a Blacksmith and so by hereditary right Thomas
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could, had he chosen to take this career path, have been a Blacksmith and therefore a Freeman of the City of London. But ambitious Thomas was determined to rise through the ranks and after gaining an education became very influential in the King’s Privy Council. Sadly, like so many others in the Kings close circle, Thomas ended up losing his head on the block at Tower Hill when he fell foul of the Kings favour. In hindsight, perhaps he should have proudly accepted his hereditary right and settled for a hammer and anvil, admittedly not so well paid, but a good honest living serving the community alongside the many other guilds at the time and at least he would have kept his head! After the dissolution of the monasteries, The Freemen of Newcastle took centre stage when King Henry allowed land near the city to be included in the already vast Town Moor – this land was Nuns Moor. Initially this seemed like a benevolent act from the King, but the Freeman of the City quickly realised it was not a gift but had to be paid for, payment which is likely to have come from the city coffers. In the years that followed, a succession of Kings and Queens came and went, but despite this, the difficult lives of ordinary people had one constant thing they could rely on, the support of a very important steadfast section of society...The Freemen; with their diligence and skills spanning all trades, communities were able to not only prosper but long outlive the doomed Tutor dynasty.
FAMOUS FREEMEN John Wilson Carmichael (1799 – 1868)
J
ohn Carmichael was a leading maritime painter in the nineteenth century. You may have seen his work in the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle or on cards sold in the local museum shops. Many of his paintings are of the River Tyne chock a block with sailing ships.
He was born in the Ouseburn area in 1799 where his father was a Shipwright. At an early age, John went to sea on a merchant vessel travelling the coasts of Spain and Portugal. After three years he returned home and was apprenticed as a Shipwright to Richard Harrington and Bros. who had a shipyard close to his home to the east of Newcastle. Although mainly working with wood, he had some draughtman’s training and his employer spotted his artistic potential. Richard Harrington was himself an amateur artist and he purchased a set of watercolour paints for John. After John finished his apprenticeship, he continued to work as a Shipwright and also acquired a studio close to home. His works in the early 1820s were mainly small watercolours of ships which he sold to the ship’s owners. He made a steady living and was able to become a full-time artist. By the mid-1820s there were regular art exhibitions in Newcastle and John exhibited paintings from 1825 to 1827 when the exhibitions ceased. He continued to work on maritime themes and was much influenced by JMW Turner who set the standard for the subject. John didn’t just paint ships as he was also an accomplished landscape artist. He produced a series of engravings illustrating the construction of the Newcastle to Carlisle railway in 1835 to 1838. He also produced paintings of John Dobson’s new buildings in Newcastle.
In 1835, he had a painting accepted and exhibited by the Royal Academy in London for the first time. He continued to exhibit in London and his work was highly praised for its technical accuracy, He was pleased with the recognition and, as opportunities to exhibit in Newcastle were limited, he decided to move to London. He had made a good living in the north selling small seascapes as well as producing large oil paintings. He continued to sell plenty of works in London but perhaps he wasn’t as successful there as he had hoped. He certainly found polite London society dull and at one gathering started to dance a hornpipe on his own. This went down like a lead balloon and he soon stopped. In 1855, John sailed to the Baltic to sketch events in the Crimean War for the London Illustrated News. He also expanded his repertoire to cover more sea battles, foreign subjects and famous events such as Grace Darling’s rescue of shipwrecked sailors and Queen Victoria’s visit to Edinburgh. In 1865 his work wasn’t selling as well as it had in the past and he and his wife were in poor health. They moved to Scarborough and he died there in 1868. From humble beginnings, John Carmichael had established himself as a well-known painter to the extent that he was a household name. His pictures can be found in many museums and galleries, particularly those with a nautical theme. They apparently still sell well but with prices in the thousands compared with the £30 million recently paid for a Turner.
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ST MARY MAGDALENE AND HOLY JESUS TRUST
T
he Freemen of Newcastle extend a very warm welcome to two new colleagues at St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust; we look forward to a continued excellent working relationship.
Chairman, John Lee OBE
John became Chairman in January this year having been a Trustee for 4 years. He worked for Newcastle Council for 26 years in Food Hygiene, Health and Safety, Pollution Control and Housing. He first became aware of the Trust when he carried out an inspection of the former Residential Care home in the late 1980’s. In 2003, John became the first Chief Executive of the newly created Your Homes Newcastle, the housing company set up to manage Council Housing in the City and continued in this role until he retired in 2016. During this time, he was awarded an OBE for services to the City of Newcastle. John has extensive experience across the charity sector having previously been a Trustee for several organisations including Dementia Care, Norcare and the Theatre Royal as well as being Chairman of a construction company for 2 years. John told us “There is in my view, so much more that the St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Trust can do to enrich the lives of residents and make a greater contribution to the City. I hope that in the near future we will be able to outline plans for more housing and how we can offer more for existing and future residents”.
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Chief Executive, Jon Mitford
Starting a new job in the middle of a pandemic was not something that any of us planned, but despite the odds, Jon Mitford took up his role as Chief Executive on 21st August 2020. Jon brings a wealth of skills and experience in the housing sector. As Managing Director of Leazes Homes - a charity that was set-up by Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle in 2009 - he joined the organisation with nothing on its balance sheet, and in 11 years built the portfolio to around 800 homes including around 200 homes specifically designed to meet the needs of older people. His priority is to work with all stakeholders to build on the Trust’s unique legacy for quality housing in a community setting and to present plans for additional services and new homes to existing and new beneficiaries. We very much look forward to a successful working partnership with John and Jon.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
T
his year due to Covid19 our Remembrance commemorations were different to any previous years. For the safety of all, and in order to combat the spread of the pandemic, reluctantly, it was decided to cancel the usual Lord Mayor’s Parade and service. On Wednesday 4th November due to the lockdown restrictions set to come into force on 5th November, David Wilson, Chairman of the Stewards Committee, laid a wreath on behalf of the Freemen of Newcastle at the Response War Memorial (also known as the Renwick Memorial) in the gardens at Newcastle Civic Centre. The decision to lay the wreath at the Response Memorial rather than the customary location at Old Eldon Square was taken after speaking to Stewards Committee member, Keith Hall, who had represented the Parachute Regiment as they laid their wreath at St Georges monument at Old Eldon Square on Tuesday 3rd November, Keith had advised that the Eldon Square monument had not been prepared in readiness for wreaths.
The Response sculpture was designed by Sir W. Goscombe John and unveiled by the Prince of Wales on 5th July 1923. It depicts the Territorial Army “Pals” of the Northumberland Fusiliers marching off to the First World War. The memorial was a gift to the city commissioned by Sir George Renwick and Lady Renwick. The sculpture is Grade 1 listed. On Remembrance Day we pause and reflect, it is a time when we pay tribute to our service men and women, in particular the Freemen who have served in our forces and those who continue to do so. We must never take their sacrifice for granted. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month we will remember them.
Lest we forget.
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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.
A
lbert was an elderly bachelor who cared for his invalid sister who owned the house they both lived in. A former PT instructor he pushed his sister around in her wheel- chair for years. When she died, her children wanted him out of the house so that they could sell it and share the proceeds. However, Albert won a court case and won the right to end his days there. As a former bricklayer he had large strong hands and I was surprised when he told me his hobby was painting “on glass”. He showed me his latest effort on a pane of greenhouse glass with a frame of black insulating tape! He explained that he put the glass on top of say the decorative lid of a chocolate box and painted the picture underneath, like a tracing! He presented me with one which was more interesting than attractive and took every opportunity to tell others on outings that I had one of his paintings. After his sister’s death, things went slowly down- hill with him. One year he did not turn up for the summer outing and when I rang him, he said that at the age of ninety his memory was failing. I resolved the following year that he wouldn’t miss out and I called on his neighbour who made
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a note of the details and said that she would get her husband to drop Albert off at the pick-up point. The trip was to Tetley’s Brewery, Leeds and we each got a voucher for a free drink with our buffet lunch. After lunch we had an interesting tour of the brewery and some ladies went off to the market while most stayed inside looking at the small menagerie etc. One lady told me she had been to the market and “that old man with the grubby raincoat” had spoken to her. I could think of only one person who fitted that description – Albert, and he was off site! Would he find his way back? To cap it all, another lady said that after his free drink Albert had been up at the bar buying more! Teatime came but as I feared Albert didn’t. My wife offered to search for him – like seeking a needle in a haystack. One of our coaches left for home and miraculously, my wife appeared with Albert! Apparently when lost he had been asking where he could get a bus to Byker and fortunately no one knew Byker was in Newcastle, otherwise we would have lost him! Sadly, Albert passed away before the next outing!
BRAVE THE SHAVE On 2nd October, Heather White (Smiths) joined over 9000 people who “Braved the shave” in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in 2020. Lockdown meant that efforts to raise money have been severely hampered, especially with the cancellation of their annual coffee mornings and fun runs, Sadly, global pandemics don’t stop cancer from striking 1 in 2 people and with that in mind, Heather set herself a target of £1000. We are delighted to report she raised £1040, with some donations still to come in, Well done Heather!
Freemen of Newcastle
NOTICE BOARD
Mr Kevin Batey, Moor Bank Lodge, Cla Newcastle upon Tyne Tel: 0191 2615970 Email: admin@freeme Website: www.freeme
http://www.facebook freemenofnewcastle
BEREAVEMENTS On behalf of the Freemen of the City of Newcastle, we extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the following Sisters: Maureen Bell Weavers Margaret Miles Ropemakers Joyce Armstrong House Carpenters Anne Yeaman Cordwinders
2021 EVENTS We are still receiving the usual requests to hold social gatherings in and around the Town Moor, however, due to the current uncertain situation with Coronavirus, we have decided not to list proposed events here as they may be subject to change depending on prevailing conditions. Instead, we will post updates on our website and Facebook pages. Rest assured we will follow Government guidelines and make every effort to keep all areas under our control as safe as we possibly can. COPYRIGHT: Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne. PUBLISHER: Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith Tel: 01325 304360 Email: sue@rineypublishing.co.uk
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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
