Signs, formally underlining the introduction of a total fishing ban on a stretch of the River Wear in the centre of Durham City, are now in place – offering clear warning to salmon and sea trout poachers they risk arrest by police. The erection of the signs follows a unanimous decision taken in January by […]
For some time now newly admitted members to the Durham City Freemen have asked what happens next and how can they be involved with the organisation. For some time now newly admitted members to the Durham City Freemen have asked what happens next and how can they be involved with the organisation. The creation of […]
A long serving freeman, whose family links to the city’s trade guilds stretch back more than 300 years, died in hospital on February 26th after a long illness. Retired police sergeant John Reginald Stout, known to his friends as Reg, was admitted into the Butchers’ Company in February 1964 and at the time of his […]
A woman reinforced her family’s long-standing links with Durham City’s ancient trade guilds when she was sworn in as a freeman. Barbara Kingston, who joins two cousins recently installed into the Company of Drapers, insisted: “I know my maternal grandfather Joseph, who I was particularly close to, would be very proud if he was here […]
Cordwainers’ warden, Joe McElwee, was given a particularly warm reception when he arrived at an eco-friendly community project in Durham to formally hand over an £8,000 donation from the City’s Freemen. Fire-eater John Wolstenholme, a retired geneticist and now one of a team of volunteer helpers at The Wood Pile in Renny’s Lane, Gilesgate, provided […]
A halt to free fishing, on a stretch of the River Wear in the heart of Durham City, has been authorised by the freemen’s trustees to combat what conservationists have condemned as “salmon and sea trout poaching on an industrial scale.” A new bylaw, currently sought by the Wear Anglers’ Association, will reinforce the trustees’ […]
Iain Wilmshurst Works Manager at Durham Cathedral is elected new warden of the Currier’s Company. Iain was educated at Whinney Hill Secondary School from 1969 until 1974. In June 1974 he joined the staff of Durham Cathedral as an apprentice stonemason. He served under Edward Hughes who was one of the best masons at the […]
Eric Bulmer Chairman of the Plumber’s Company is elected new Chaiman of the Wardens. Although I was only appointed Warden of the Plumbers’ Company in May 2013, I have strong family ties with the Freemen of Durham City and I am the fourth generation of Bulmer to be admitted to the Freemen; a line that […]
A ninety-year-old widow, determined to maintain her family’s long-standing family connections with the Durham City Freemen, was officially sworn in at the Martinmas Guild Day in the town hall. Great grandmother Anne Pearson followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, father, two brothers and brother-in-law when she became a member of the Plumbers’ Company. “I […]
Norman Donkin, who has died aged 96 was born in Gilesgate and moved to Crossgate when he was about 6 years old. He attended the Blue Coat School and excelled in sport, particularly football. He could have made a professional career in football if it had not been for the war, where he served in […]