Month: May 2015

Mayor of Durham’s Reception

The Freemen ladies were invited to the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Durham, Councillor John Robinson’s Reception on Thursday, 14th May 2015 in the Town Hall together with Councillors, Justice’s of the Peace, Durham City Pointers and friends to celebrate the Mayor’s year. The evening commenced with an address by the Mayor welcoming everyone and […]

Durham’s First Lady Freeman

A woman, who has played a key supporting role behind the scenes for more than a decade, has been afforded the honour of becoming Durham’s first Lady Freeman. Grandmother Doris McElwee was officially sworn-in at the May Day Guild Day – joining the eight men who make up the small but select band of Gentlemen […]

Field Service Engineer Becomes A Freeman

Retired field service engineer Barry Shotton was admitted into the Cordwainers’Company at the May Day Guild Day. Sixty-eight-year-old Barry started his working life in 1961 as an apprentice electrician with Durham Rural District Council and went on to work underground at Eppleton Colliery before joining Lansing Bagnall, where he remained until his retirement. He lives […]

Sponsored Cathedral Apprentice Set To Become A Freeman

We are delighted to learn that Peter will become a fully time-served Joiner late this year when the college course he has been attending comes to an end. In 2012 Durham City Freemen worked with the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral to establish the sponsorship of a craft apprentice. The Dean and Chapter selected […]

Trustees’ chairman Roger Norris steps down after two decades at the helm

Trustees’ chairman Roger Norris, who has stepped down after 20 years at the helm, has been praised by his peers for his outstanding contribution to the modern-day “re-birth” of the city’s freemen. Roger, then deputy librarian at Durham Cathedral, was invited to become a trustee in 1988 and took over chairmanship in 1995. Numbers of […]