Editorial

We 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 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.