Recent news
30th January 2012 : Server upgrade
freemenofnewcastle.org is now running off a better, faster web server with more storage space and much higher bandwidth. The new server is provided by HostPapa.co.uk, who only use 100% green renewable energy to power their data centres, offices and more. It makes sense that we all do our part to keep the planet healthy for ourselves and those that come after us.
24th January 2012 : Chrismas Guild 2012, Swearing In Ceremony
A swearing-in ceremony was held in The Guildhall on Monday 16th January 2012 in front of the Sheriff of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, Councillor Jackie Slesenger
2nd January 2012 : Freemen's Magazine Issue 11
Issue Number Eleven of the Freemen's Magazine is now available for download. Click on the thumbnail on the left or visit the Magazines page to download.
19th December 2011 : Yuletide Greetings
Best Wishes to all Freemen and their Families for a Very Happy Christmas from the Stewards Committee.
7th December 2011 : The Hoppings 2012
We are delighted to announce the dates for The Hoppings 2012, which will be held on Friday 22nd 2012 to Saturday 30th June 2012, inclusive.
12th October 2011 : The National Association of City and Town Sheriffs of England and Wales
The annual meeting of the National Association of City and Town Sheriffs of England and Wales was held in Newcastle upon Tyne during the weekend of 30th September 2nd October. At the request and in association with the Newcastle upon Tyne Lord Mayors Office, the Stewards Committee of the Freemen of Newcastle held a welcome reception in the Guildhall on Friday 30th. A talk by Sir Leonard Fenwick on the history of the Freemen of Newcastle and the importance of its Charters followed a champagne reception.
The Freemen were represented at a Dinner in the Banqueting Suite of the Civic Centre on October 1st
20th September 2011 : Hog Roast
It rained and it rained. Standing on the tarmac area at Moor Bank Lodge on the morning of the 6th of August at about 11.30 I thought the whole day was going to be a wash out. The Marquee roof was showing signs of collapse due to the weight of water that had become trapped it its corners, the rain was at times blowing sideways and the shelter that was there to protect the centrepiece of the day, namely, the Hog Roast looked as if it would disappear into the field.
At about 1.30 the Birds of Prey and the Exotic animals arrived, the rain had eased a little so we were able to direct them to their allotted areas around the ground, but it was at this time that the heavens opened the flood gates again and it became obvious that it would be impossible to work with either the Birds of Prey or the Exotic animals - the smell of panic wafted over the area.
It takes more than a monsoon to put Geordies off, and by 2.30 people began to turn up and by the time the entertainment struck up there were about 200 Freemen and visitors sheltering in the Marquee, and what a smashing afternoon it turned out to be.
The Birds of Prey did not perform but everyone had a chance to see them at close quarters and have their photo taken, the Exotic animals were handled by those that wished and they eventually decamped into a room in Botanic Gardens.
The Botanic Gardens was a haven for many, those that visited there were astounded at the selection of plants that were on display together with advice from a great many knowledgeable people.
The entertainment, The Heartbeats, did a magnificent job playing the afternoon away with songs that were easily recognised by the majority and several of the guests were Rocking and Rolling the afternoon away (probably helped by the wine and beer which was continuously served). I am sure that there were more than a few aching muscles the next day!
Those Freemen that failed to turn up missed out on a great afternoon with good food and plenty of refreshment to wash it down, the conversation was bright and cheerful despite the weather.
My thanks goes out to all that helped me in getting the show on the road, but my big thanks go to all who turned up and made the day such a success.
Alan Bainbridge
30th August 2011 : Recent Admissions
Another swearing-in ceremony was held in The Guildhall on 22nd August 2011 in front of the Lord Mayor of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, Councillor Geoff O' Brien:
8th August 2011 : Freemen's Magazine
Issue Number Ten of the Freemen's Magazine is now available for download. Click on the thumbnail on the left or visit the Magazines page to download.
29th July 2011 : Photographs from recent swearing-in sessions
18th July 2011
18th July 2011
18th July 2011
25th July 2011
25th July 2011
25th July 2011
25th July 2011
1st June 2011 : Photographs from recent swearing-in sessions
4th April 2011
4th April 2011
4th April 2011
4th April 2011
11th April 2011
18th April 2011
18th April 2011
9th May 2011
May 15th 2011 : Lord Mayor's Parade
The Lord Mayor's Parade will take place on Sunday, 15th May 2011 starting at 9:45 am in St. Nicholas' Cathedral, Mosely Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
All Freemen are invited to participate in this event. Last year, we saw a huge increase in the numbers attending due to the admission of Lady Freemen. If you can come along then please do so. A limited number of robes are available on a first-come, first served basis.
A courtesy bus is available from Moor Bank Lodge, Claremont Road, Newcastle at 9 am.
March 21st 2011 : Swearing in sessions held on 7th February 2011 and 21st February 2011
At a ceremony held in The Guildhall on 7th February 2011, the following were made Freemen of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in front of Lord Mayor, Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh:
- Kathleen, daughter of Thomas Burns, Joiners
- Sheila Mary, daughter of Albert Edward Harkus, Joiners
- Joan, daughter of George Benjamin Burns, Joiners
- Edna Margaret, daughter of William Scott Harkus, Joiners
- Gwendolyn Muriel, daughter of Albert Edward Harkus, Joiners
- Marjorie, daughter of George Benjamin Burns, Joiners
- Dorothy, daughter of Thomas Burns, Joiners
- Rachel Mary Penelope, daughter of Frank Sutherland Robson, Joiners
- Ellen, daughter of George Benjamin Burns, Joiners
- Margaret Ann, daughter of Thomas Burns, Joiners
- Irene Mary, daughter of William Scott Harkus, Joiners
- Sarah Anne, daughter of Frank Sutherland Robson, Joiners
- Sheila, daughter of Thomas Burns, Joiners
- Kate Adele, daughter of Sir Leonard Fenwick, Shipwrights
At a ceremony held in The Guildhall on 21st February 2011, the following were made Freemen of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in front of Lord Mayor, Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh:
- Anne, daughter of Walter Gray Hall, Masters & Mariners
- Sheila, daughter of Walter Gray Hall, Masters & Mariners
- Brenda, daughter of James Taylor Hall, Masters & Mariners
- Susan, daughter of Ellen Hall, Masters & Mariners
- Sandra Maria, daughter of Henry Hall, Masters & Mariners
- Elizabeth, daughter of Walter Gray Hall, Masters & Mariners
- Keith, son of Ellen Hall, Masters & Mariners
- Charlotte Virginia, daughter of Stephen Christopher Healy, Masters & Mariners
- Lauren Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen Christopher Healy, Masters & Mariners
- Margaret, daughter of Cooper William Hall, Masters & Mariners
- James Francis, son of Dorothy Jeanne Robertson, Masters & Mariners
- Kenneth Leonard, son of Dorothy Jeanne Robertson, Masters & Mariners
- Wendy Rhoda Anne, daughter of Joseph Maurice Grey, Masters & Mariners
- Florence Elizabeth, daughter of Elizabeth Nilsen, Smiths
- Peter, son of Elizabeth Nilsen, Smiths
- Pauline, daughter of Elizabeth Nilsen, Smiths
- Beryl, daughter of Thomas Baron Atkinson, Ropemakers
- Micheline, daughter of Cyril Cato, Plumbers
- Joanne, daughter of Robert Alexander Graham, Plumbers
- Laura Marie, daughter of Robert Dixon, Ropemakers
- Claire Louise, daughter of Valerie Baron Hawkins, Ropemakers
- Michelle, daughter of Joyce Davison, Ropemakers
- Audrey, daughter of James Kitchener Cato, Plumbers
- Victoria, daughter of Brian William Spark, Scriveners
- Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Michael Proctor, Plumbers
- Lorraine, daughter of Brian William Spark, Scriveners
- Charlotte Laura, daughter of Charles Edward Wilkie Smith, Scriveners
- Catherine, daughter of John Redshaw, Currier
- Marie, daughter of John Redshaw, Currier
- Daniella, daughter of Daniel Redshaw, Currier
- Caroline, daughter of Daniel Redshaw, Currier
January 31st 2011 : Swearing in session held 29th November 2010
At a ceremony held in The Guildhall on 29th November 2010, the following were made Freemen of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in front of Lord Mayor, Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh:
- Susan, daughter of Hewison Marshall, Cordwainer
- Karen, daughter of Hewison Marshall, Cordwainer
- James Miller, son of John Stanley Thompson, Cordwainers
- Annie, daughter of John Bolam, Cordwainer
- Enid Irene, daughter of Joseph Colley, Goldsmith
- Olive Osbourne, daughter of David Scotland Fairs, Shipwrights
January 17th 2011 : First Female Stewards attend Close Gild / Swearing in sessions
The first women Stewards to attend Close Gild, held at The Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne on January 17th 2011.
From left to right : City Mace Bearer, Ms. Lesley Walker (Goldsmiths), Lord Mayor Councilor Brenda Hindmarsh, Ms. Fiona Hogg (Curriers) and Chairman of the Senior Stewards Committee, Sir Leonard Fenwick.
Following the Close Gild, the following were made Freemen of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in front of Lord Mayor, Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh:
- Caroline Lucy, daughter of Richard Michael Grey, Scrivener
- Louise Rachel, daughter of William Colin Angus, Skinner & Glover
- Sylvia Margaret, daughter of Allen Brown, Smith
- Angela, daughter of James Daniel Melville, Smith
- Caroline, daughter of Thomas Robert Charlton, House Carpenter
January 14th 2011 : Changes to the Hoppings
In a bold move the Freemen of Newcastle are to take a lead role in collaboration with the City Council to setup and manage the 2011 Hoppings funfair.
For a full report select the Hoppings tab.
January 10th 2011 : Recent Swearing-in Sessions
At a ceremony at the Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne on Monday 10th January 2011, the following were made Freemen of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in front of Lord Mayor, Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh:
- Elizabeth Denise, daughter of Ronald Denis Elliot, Cordwainer
- Linda, daughter of Kenneth Elliot Marshall, Cordwainer
- Susan, daughter of Elliot Marshall, Cordwainer
- Joan, daughter of Norman Turnbull, Cordwainer
- Christine, daughter of Christine Jackson, Goldsmith
- Margaret, daughter of Wilfred Joseph Harriot, Goldsmith
- Linda, Josephine daughter of John Bainbridge, Goldsmith
- Susan, daughter of Gerald Wilfred Harriot, Goldsmith
- Constance, daughter of Francis Hawksby, House Carpenter
- Marian Louise, daughter of John Clennell Tate, House Carpenter
- Hazel Ann, daughter of Edward Brown, House Carpenter
- Laura Elizabeth, daughter of Lynn Dodds, House Carpenter
- Valerie, daughter of Walter Frizzle, House Carpenter
- Jill, daughter of Robert Henry Atkinson, House Carpenter
- Michael George, son of Vera Marshall, House Carpenter
- Andrea, daughter of Vera Marshall, House Carpenter
- Sheila, daughter of Edward Brown, House Carpenter
- Christine Linda, daughter of George Brown, House Carpenter
- Margaret Alexandra, daughter of Richard Brown, House Carpenter
Old news...
For news from previous years, please click here
