Author: John Proud


“Reflection Garden” Will Mirror The Support Work Of Rural Charity

A ground breaking charity’s ambitions to transform a plot of overgrown woodland into a haven of peace and tranquillity has won the backing of Durham City’s freemen with a £1,000 grant. The LionMouth Rural Centre, will begin preparatory work within weeks on the £10,000 project adjacent to their Broadgate Farm complex near Esh Winning and […]



Latest Gift Keeps Tourism Volunteers On The Right Track

The immediate future of award winning tourism volunteers, who for more than a decade have played a key role in signposting Durham’s tourist attractions to hundreds of thousands of visitors, has been given a key financial boost by the city’s freemen. Latest Gift Keeps Tourism Volunteers On The Right Track Durham Pointers, recognised by their […]



Former Organ Builder’s Career Switch Hits All The Right Notes

The global financial crash of 2008 hit every discordant note for time-served organ builder Vincent Syson. Five years after starting his dream job with the world renowned Durham City instrument makers Harrison and Harrison and completing his apprenticeship he found himself out of work and jobs for men with his skills had dried up in […]



Youngsters Have Durham’s Tourist Treasures In Their Sights

A charity, committed to bringing joy into the lives of children, teenagers and young adults with learning difficulties, has extra reason to be happy. YOUNGSTERS HAVE DURHAM’S TOURIST TREASURES IN THEIR SIGHTS The Cheesy Waffles Project, based in Belmont Community Centre, has been handed a £1,000 gift by the freemen towards costs of their latest adventure […]



Apprentices’ Awards Takes Them Back To The Future

A pioneering new award scheme, showcasing the achievements of Durham City’s modern-day craft apprentices, is led by an organisation whose roots reach back into mediaeval history. APPRENTICES’ AWARDS TAKE THEM BACK TO THE FUTURE The newly forged partnership, embracing the city’s Freemen, New College Durham, Durham University and Durham Cathedral, made their first awards to thirteen […]



Sewing Skills Cushion The Pain Of Cancer Recovery

A team of seamstresses, whose combined skills have provided physical “comfort” to 1,000 women recovering from breast cancer surgery, has been handed a timely boost by the city’s freemen. Sewing Skills Cushion The Pain Of Cancer Recovery Since 2014 the craftswomen, an 18-strong sub-group of the Tursdale and Hett Women’s Institute, “worked below the radar” to […]



Two Women Of Distinction Join The Ranks Of The Freemen

Two women who distinguished themselves in their chosen careers – one a top European marketing professional and advertising campaign strategist, the other a hospital sister and emergency nurse practitioner – have been sworn in as Freemen. Two Women Of Distinction Join The Ranks Of The Freemen Globe-trotting Joanne Booth followed in the footsteps of her dad, […]



Trust Backs Expansion Of Men’s Mental Health Support Groups

Expansion of a specialist organisation providing free male to male peer to peer support for North East men struggling with mental health-related issues, has been handed a £500 boost by Durham City’s Freemen. Trust Backs Expansion Of Men’s Mental Health Support Groups ManHealth will use the gift to set up a new group in the Gilesgate […]



Rousing Applause Greets Stewart’s Special Award

Durhams’ Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sue Snowdon, honoured the freemen’s treasurer Stewart Atkin with rare accolade – to mark his outstanding contribution to the work of the Rotary Club of Durham. ROUSING APPLAUSE GREETS STEWART’S SPECIAL AWARD The announcement of Stewart’s special award, at a dinner in the Great Hall of Durham Castle celebrating the city Rotarians’ […]



Cash Windfall Helps Spinners Keep Weaving To Save Ancient Skills

A group of Durham enthusiasts, whose mission launched more than forty years ago to promote and preserve centuries-old spinning, weaving and dyeing skills, has been handed a financial boost by the city’s freemen. Cash Windfall Helps Spinners Keep Weaving To Save Ancient Skills Often working with hand-held spindles to duplicate methods pioneered by long-lost civilisations, […]