ISSUE 18 SEPTEMBER 2015 pro-active in bringing commitment to our key objectives in this regard. Further, Foreword the ongoing support and effective partnership working with Newcastle A philosophy of being City Council is a truly complementary 5 progressive, albeit in strength and to be very much a traditional way, is commended. 20 without any shadow Contents of doubt serving to Our multi-factorial engagement and sustain a public trust UHVSRQVLELOLWLHVDUHUHÁHFWHGXSRQ Spring Clean Up Town Moor DQGFRQÀGHQFHLQDOO in this edition of the Magazine. As 4 14 that we do. Superintendents Report ever contributions also welcomed for & Drainage Works inclusion in future editions. The Newcastle Town Guild Meetings 16 ITV Drama Moors are nationally acknowledged as 5 a most distinctive environmental asset Sir Leonard Fenwick CBE and I would wish to express a big thank &KDLUPDQ6WHZDUGV&RPPLWWHH 6 Family Tree you to the many Freemen who are
8 St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus Bungalows
10 Grandstand Road Editorial Tree Planting 17 BBC Documentary They say time passes quickly when you are busy and this has Guildhall Plaque Tree Maintenance 16 been true for the Freemen, it has been yet another busy 11 Hoppings 2015 18 Trade Guilds History year for us and here we are already in the late summer of 2015 with issue 18 of our
19 Town Moor Aerial PDJD]LQH7KLVLVVXHLVWKHÀUVW Photography which has been guided by our new ‘Editorial Team’ who are 20 Lord Mayors Parade shown in this photo; We hope that you enjoy the insight into some of our activities presented in this issue as well as the other articles of interest.
21 TMMC Coach Trip There continues to be a great demand for use of our Town Moor for a wide variety RIHYHQWVIURP6SRUW&KDULW\5XQVDQG)DLUVWR793URJUDPPHÀOPLQJ7KH6WHZDUGV Committee continues to work to enable as much appropriate public use of the Moors whilst balancing with the need to protect the land, the environment and the facility of air and exercise in peaceful and beautiful surroundings. 11 As always, we are happy to receive contributions from yourselves for potential inclusion in future issues. In particular items relating to current activities from your The Coat of Arms of the own Company would be welcomed. City of Newcastle upon Tyne
Front cover photograph: Kevin Batey Guild swearing in photographs taken by Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne Edited by Freemen of Newcastle Upon Tyne Editorial Team 2IÀFLDO3KRWRJUDSKHU6WHYH%URFN3KRWRJUDSK\ The Newcastle Upon Tyne Freemen Magazine, Moor Bank Lodge, Copies available from www.stevebrock.co.uk Tel 01912863430 &ODUHPRQW5RDG1HZFDVWOH8SRQ7\QH1(1/ FreemenMagazine 3 Devil’s Burn - Drainage works - Guild Meetings Easter Guild took place on 13th April 2015 in the Guildhall, with the Closed Guild Nuns Moor spring 2015 commencing at 10.30am. Close Guild was opened with Prayers by Reverend Kevin During February and March of Hunt, this was Kevin’s last attendance at Guild as he has accepted a new post in this year we began our drainage Canada; in appreciation of his service to the Freemen over many years Kevin was North - Clear up. improvements programme on the presented with a gift by Guild. In late April of this year The Stewards main Town Moor. This programme Committee of the Freemen engaged was one of the largest we have 7KHDVVHPEOHG6WHZDUGVRIWKHYDULRXV $WWKH&ORVHG*XLOGRQO\&RPSDQ\6WHZDUGV with WKH6NLOO0LOODORFDOQRWIRUSURÀW tackled in recent years. Guilds discussed a varied and lengthy set are eligible to attend, however all Freemen Social Enterprise organisation, which of matters relating to the full spectrum of are eligible to attend the Open Guild; it provides employment opportunities activities and items relevant to Freemen. was good to see that there was a large 7KHIRUPHU3RQGZKLFKKDGEHHQVLWXDWHGDWWKH attendance of Freemen at both Guilds. for young people between 16 and 18 foot of the Cow Hills has been removed and Open Guild commenced at 12 noon )ROORZLQJSURFHHGLQJV6LU/HRQDUGWKHQ reinstated as grazing pasture. This area and the years of age. and was attended by the Lord Mayor of XQYHLOHGD+HULWDJH3ODTXHZKLFKZDVWR ÀHOGGUDLQV\VWHPVWKDWHLWKHUIHGWKHODNHRUSDVVHG through it were heavily infested with tree roots 1HZFDVWOH&RXQFLOORU*HRUJH3DWWLVRQ be mounted outside of the Guildhall to Each cohort receives 6 months paid because the western end northern boundaries DQGWKH¶$FWLQJ7RZQ&OHUN·0U-RKQ6RIWO\ show the association of the building with the employment, giving them invaluable practical of the pond were heavily planted with water Following the Easter Guild the Chairman of Freemen. The swearing in ceremony then experience. Upon completion, students obtain loving trees such as willow and alder along with WKH)UHHPHQ6LU/HRQDUG)HQZLFNPDGHD took place with 22 proud new Freemen. D&LW\DQG*XLOGV/HYHOFHUWLÀFDWLRQ7KHZRUN a few poplars. As a result of all drains being either presentation to the Lord Mayor as this was ZDVWRFOHDUDOO´Á\WLSSHGDQGZLQGEORZQµ blocked, collapsed or infested with roots the water the last Guild he would attend during his All attendees enjoyed an excellent buffet rubbish from Devil’s Burn so that the stream was forced to the surface which created a huge WHUPRIRIÀFH lunch in the Merchants Hall. could then be cleared of silt and dug down wet bog. This mean that around 6 acres of grazing back to its natural bed by our contractor. pasture had been submerged and was of no use to The group consisted of up to 5 youths and 1 the grazing animal or the local wild life populous. 6XSHUYLVRUZKRWRRNGD\VWRFOHDUWKHVWUHDP 7RZQ0RRU6WDII%LOO\+DUODQGDQG'DYH+ROODQG The team recovered 130 bags of rubbish, 2 push commenced the works bikes, 10 vacuum cleaners along with several SULRURRXUFRQWUDFWRU6HDQ PDWWUHVVHVFDUSHWVDQGRWKHUÁ\WLSSHGLWHPV 5RJHUVRQIURP0DUWLQ%HOO/WG Below are photographs taken before and arriving on site. The stock-proof after the work which indicate the extent of the fence around the pond was improvements. removed and 50 trees were cut down to ease 0U5RJHUVRQ·VDFFHVVZLWK his plant. Once all of the tree stumps and tree roots had been removed, work on the drainage system commenced. All drains entering the site were picked up and connected into two new main drains, which were Before installed to take the water around both sides of the former pond. These were then connected into a 2000 litre drainage ring, which was installed at the southern end of the pond site (see pictures). Installing a ring of this size enables us to retain water and allow it to drain away at a slower speed, thus improving the impact on the eastern end Penny Marron, Coopers: Alison Barbara Lishman, Coopers: Rachel Elizabeth Colvine, Cordwainers: Niall Andrew Hunter, Cord- RIWKH7RZQ0RRUDQG([KLELWLRQ3DUN7KHZRUNV wainers: Lee Sample, House Carpenters: Paul Sample, House Carpenters: Karen Wilkinson, House Carpenters: Mark Anthony were completed before the cattle returned to Kenny, Joiners: Kathleen Margaret Blackhouse, Joiners: John Anthony Hogg, Masters & Mariners: Finlay Macpherson Brown, graze although the area has been fenced off 3OXPEHUV Hector Macpherson Brown, 3OXPEHUV Matthew Brown, 3OXPEHUV Ben Inglis, 6KLSZULJKW (mma Lawson, 6KLSZULJKW and re-seeded. It is anticipated that the site will be Graham Lawson, 6KLSZULJKW Shani Marie Bishop,6NLQQHUV *ORYHUV Matthew Youll, 6PLWKV Karen Patricia Tunstall, Tanners: Sophie Victoria Patterson, Taylors: Georgia Amy Foggin, Taylors: John Michael Foggin, Taylors: reopened in time for next year’s grazing season. 4 FreemenMagazine After FreemenMagazine 5 parents and grandparents i.e. it is rare that someone isn’t northern cities. My family name, approximate date of on the census. The most the Hiscocks came from Your Family Tree: how to get started birth, where they lived and common reason you can’t 'RUVHW OLYLQJLQ3RROHLQ where they were born. Talk ÀQGWKHPLVDWUDQVFULSWLRQ but at Dents Hole Byker in It has been possible to explore your family history for many years but the internet to older family members and error so search for similar 7KHUHWKH\EHFDPH has made it so much easier. This article attempts to help you get started. get as much information as names or use wild card shipwrights. you can. searches. Or they may be 6 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 7 St Mary Magdalene and Holy Jesus Bungalows The Holy Jesus Hospital (HJH) was an almshouse supporting poor Freemen and their families. Many of us have ancestors who lived and died there. It was built around 1682 by the Mayor and Freemen of Newcastle on the site of an Augustine Priory. The original building is on City Road virtually underneath the Swan House roundabout having survived the redevelopment of Pilgrim Street in the 1960s. It is QRZWKH1DWLRQDO7UXVW·V5HJLRQDO2IÀFHDQGLVRQO\RFFDVLRQDOO\RSHQWRWKHSXEOLF for example on Heritage Open Days in September. In the 1930s the Freemen decided that the WKHGD\DQGDVHFXULW\ÀUPSDWUROVWKHVLWHDW All the HJH bungalows plus sixteen MM If you want to apply for a bungalow then your ROGEXLOGLQJZDVQRORQJHUÀWIRUSXUSRVHDQG QLJKW5HVLGHQWVDUHOLQNHGWRD&RPPXQLW\ bungalows are allocated for use by Freemen ÀUVWVWHSLVWRULQJWKHRIÀFH DQG built forty bungalows on Town Moor land off Care Alarm system. There is a handyman EXWFXUUHQWO\WKH\RQO\RFFXS\DURXQG WDONWR6KDURQ+HSSOHWKH*HQHUDO0DQDJHU +XQWHUV5RDGLQWKH6SLWDO7RQJXHVDUHD7KH available to carry out repairs, help can be of the bungalows available to them. The or one of the administrative staff. They will last Freemen moved out of the old building in given with cleaning and the gardens are balance are occupied by tenants who are not explain to you how the Trust operates and 1937. maintained by contractors. The Trust doesn’t Freemen. The Trustees would like to increase get some basic information from you. If they provide personal care but staff will help occupancy by Freemen. think you might be a suitable applicant and 6W0DU\0DJGDOHQH+RVSLWDO 00 ZDV you are still interested they will normally send residents to apply to the Local Authority if 6RZKRFDQDSSO\"$VWKH7UXVWLVDFKDULW\ probably established in the thirteenth necessary. you an application form that asks for details century as an almshouse that cared for it must have a charitable purpose and this is RI\RXUÀQDQFHVFXUUHQWKRXVLQJPHGLFDO people suffering from leprosy and for pilgrims There are communal areas that residents ´WRVXSSRUWROGHUSHUVRQVRIOLPLWHGÀQDQFLDO conditions and interests and hobbies plus your visiting Newcastle. By the twentieth century can use if they wish. There is a dining room PHDQVµ$SSOLFDQWVIRUWKH)UHHPHQ·V UHDVRQVIRUDSSO\LQJ6KDURQZLOOWKHQYLVLW it had become an almshouse for the poor providing cooked lunches and café facilities DFFRPPRGDWLRQKDYHWREHDJHGÀIW\RURYHU you at home to go through the application. administered by the City Council. that also acts as a social area and there is and be a Freeman or the surviving spouse or Applications are then considered by the a recreation room where residents can play daughter of a Freeman. Although there used Trustees and successful applicants are entered The two charities were merged in 1957 when snooker, billiards, darts and board games. to be rigid rules as to the current residence on a waiting list. When a property becomes IXUWKHUEXQJDORZVSOXVÁDWVZHUHEXLOWRQ 9DULRXVDFWLYLWLHVVXFKDVDÀOPFOXEELQJR DQGÀQDQFLDOVWDQGLQJRIDSSOLFDQWVWKH vacant, the Trustees consider the applicants WKH+XQWHUV5RDGVLWH7KHPHUJHGFKDULW\LV and trips are organised by residents, staff or Trustees have discretion in dealing with on the waiting list and allocate the property to NQRZQDVWKH6W0DU\0DJGDOHQHDQG+RO\ the Chaplain. applications and treat each one on its merits. the one in greatest need, not the person who Jesus Trust. It is run by twelve trustees, three of For example at one time applicants had to live has been on the list for the longest. However whom are appointed by the Freemen. The 5HVLGHQWVSD\DUHQWEURDGO\HTXLYDOHQW ZLWKLQDÀYHPLOHUDGLXVRI6W7KRPDV·&KXUFK Freemen’s bungalows are allocated to charity had substantial funds when it was set to that they would pay in social housing That condition has been dropped. Freemen applicants. There are currently thirty up and the investment income and rents (currently £71 pw). They also pay half their gas names on the waiting list but most of them are received mean that there is enough money to bill and the full cost of their electricity. Applicants must not be in any form of paid MM applicants. carry out improvements where needed. employment and this means that they are The HJH bungalows, which are only suitable generally of pensionable age, on average in I say they will normally send you a form The MM accommodation has been updated for single occupancy, have now become their mid-70s. At one time an applicant would because the building works have meant that over the years and there was additional outdated and that part of the site is being not be considered if their capital, including no new applications are being accepted building in the 1990s. There are currently 117 redeveloped. The HJH bungalows will be a property, exceeded £32,000. The Trustees at the moment but names are being put units of accommodation; 38 HJH and 79 MM. replaced by forty nine state of the art one and will now consider applicants whose capital on another waiting list. When the Trustees Ten of the MM units are especially adapted two bedroomed bungalows suitable for one or exceeds that amount if there are other factors start considering applications again, then for assisted living for disabled residents. At one two people. The work is just about to start and VXFKDVVRFLDOLVRODWLRQRUGLIÀFXOW\PDQDJLQJ application forms will be issued to people on time there was a care home on the site but should be completed in two to three years. It a current property that mean that they this list. that has now closed. will be carried out in stages; that is a block of need support. However you would not be the bungalows will be demolished and rebuilt, FRQVLGHUHGLI\RXKDGVXIÀFLHQWFDSLWDOWREX\ It probably sounds complicated but if you or The site is now essentially sheltered then another block and so on. While this is an equivalent property. The MM properties one of your relatives is interested in applying accommodation although the Trustees happening, residents will be moved into other not allocated to Freemen are occupied by WKHQGRJLYH6KDURQ+HSSOHDQGKHUVWDIID and staff encourage residents to live properties on the site then returned to new Newcastle residents who meet the same ring; it’s a great facility in a great location. independently. There are staff on site during HJH bungalows FULWHULDDQGDUHJHQHUDOO\UHIHUUHGE\*3VRU 6RFLDO6HUYLFHV 8 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 9 Guildhall Plaque Hoppings 2015 The Guildhall has played a major part in This was another successful year for the Hoppings, with the history of the Freemen and the City the Freemen of Newcastle taking a lead role. Because and continues to play an important role in the activities of Freemen today. RIWKHEHQHÀWVDSSDUHQWLQGHVSLWHWKHH[SHQVH the metal roadway was again installed ensuring that Once at the heart of Governance of the the large rides enjoyed a smooth pull-on, build up City the Guildhall is the venue for the three Guild meetings per year at which the and pull off with minimal damage to the turf. A smooth DVVHPEOHG6WHZDUGVRIDOO&RPSDQLHVPHHW pull on is vital to the success of the event and the in Closed Guild, then in Open Guild with the metal road is now regarded as an essential element Lord Mayor and Town Clerk. This is the main in enabling protection of the surface and a safe and IRUPDOPHHWLQJRIWKHERG\RI6WHZDUGVZLWK Grandstand Road the City, a tradition going back hundreds trouble free pull-on. of years. As part of their efforts to inform the public of the Heritage of the Freemen, Tree Planting WKH6WHZDUGV&RPPLWWHHFRPPLVVLRQHG D¶+HULWDJH3ODTXH·IRUWKH*XLOGKDOO7KH plaque was unveiled at the Easter Guild on 2015 13th April by the Chairman of the Freemen, Grandstand Road tree line is currently 6LU/HRQDUG)HQZLFNDQGZDVVXEVHTXHQWO\ mounted on the outside of the Guildhall next approaching the end of its natural life to the main entrance door. The Guildhall span, unfortunately disease and ground is a grade 1 listed building so of course this conditions are speeding up this process work was done in conjunction with the City for quite a number of the trees. Council. We are working closely with the City Council’s arboriculturist’s team to draw up a new planting scheme for the avenue of trees. We met the City Council representatives during the week beginning 3rd August 2015 to discuss the removal of the dead and infected trees, and to look at new species that might thrive better in the verge and thereafter bring a little more colour and diversity to the avenue once they have become established. We are considering reducing the rows of trees from two to one, which will hopefully allow the trees to thrive better and get a stronger root hold. The species of trees we are considering planting are English Oak, Holly and particularly Dutch Elm - there is a new hardier and disease resistant variety now available. The Holly may break the vista up as well as bringing all year colour and berries for the Bird-life. +RSHIXOO\WKHVFKHPHZLOOEHÀQDOLVHGVKRUWO\ so that stock can be obtained. Once the dead and diseased trees have been removed, the new trees will be SODQWHGDQGVKRXOGKRSHIXOO\ÁRXULVKLQWKH coming years. 10 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 11 A comprehensive marketing to low cloud a scheduled end of the previous fair, City campaign commenced freefall parachute shoot jump FRXQFLORIÀFHUVRYHUVHH several months prior to the was cancelled, the opening the procurement of the event, including TV, Radio, ceremony had a very infrastructure items such as Newspaper, Posters, Website, different look this year with cabins, toilets and school for Social media (Facebook & armoured vehicles located the children of the showmen. 7ZLWWHU DQGIRUWKHÀUVWWLPH at each side of the platform, The Freemen oversee the the new electronic billboard a tour of both events took advertising and PR, site over the Central Motorway. place. marking out and preparation, The 2015 Hoppings opened Once again we were able administration of the RQ WK-XQHZLWKWKHRIÀFLDO to bring the very best the applications and allocation opening taking place on industry had to offer with of the various attractions, Saturday 20th, the Newcastle many new attractions collection of rents and liaising Military Show also took DWWHQGLQJIRUWKHÀUVWWLPH with the showmen. SODFHRYHUWKHÀUVWZHHNHQG making this premier fair the We anticipate a revenue adjacent to the Hoppings very best in the country with surplus again this year, this and complemented the many of the showmen and being achieved by attracting event. public saying it was the best more applications than we The opening ceremony fair ever. One new initiative can accommodate and was preceded by a rousing was to replace the music ensuring the procurement march by the Regimental stage with a picnic area policy delivered the very best Guards band, and was which proved very popular at a competitive price. attended by Chairman of and we hope to develop Joint meetings take place the Freemen of Newcastle this over the coming years. throughout the year between Sir Leonard Fenwick, Vice We are fortunate to have 16 RXUVHOYHV&LW\RIÀFHUVIURP Chairman David Wilson showmen who volunteer as various departments, Police, representing the Freemen stewards and are integral to Fire & Rescue Service, St of Newcastle, President of the event providing a link with Johns Ambulance, event the Showmen’s Guild David the showmen’s community security, all making up the Wallis, Colonel Steve. Hopper and Guild and assisting with SAG (Safety Advisory Group) TD, Assistant Comd 4 Infantry any day to day issues from all contributing to the event Brigade representing the the tenants, for which we are manual which is pivotal in Tri-Forces and Lord Mayor very grateful. the event receiving a licence Councillor Ian Graham who Organisation of the event and the success of the event. opened the event; due starts within weeks of the 12 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 13 protects the Moor and keeps reinstatement Town Moor cost to a minimum. The weather was very kind for most of the event. Unfortunately, the heavy bursts of rain Superintendent’s that we did receive fell at the time of day when most people would be leaving home to visit the Fair. With ground conditions so Report good the land absorbed all that fell upon it, a result of all the new drainage and land My main report in this issue of our maintenance that has gone into the site magazine may be brief as I have over the last few years. spread items over several articles, each covering different topics in a The Army, Navy and Air Force held an event bit more depth. which ran alongside the Hoppings on its opening weekend, and this proved very popular with all who attended the Fair that Our grazing season got underway as usual weekend. The Hoppings site was vacated On the 17th of July, the Nuns Moor fence line will enhance the visual impact on the 31st of March of this year. The early on the 1st of July; as ground conditions 5HFUHDWLRQJURXQGZDVXVHGE\WKH0XVOLP of the Moor and improve the sight line as months of the season proved very cold were exceptionally good, the City Council Community residing within the West End people commute into our City, it will also and the ground did not warm at a pace ZHUHDEOHWRJHWVWUDLJKWRQZLWKÀQDOVLWH RIRXU&LW\IRUWKHLU(LG3UD\HUFHOHEUDWLRQ let people know that it is Town Moor Land. I that grass likes to grow. Hence grass growth clearance, which was completed in a PDUNLQJWKHHQGRI5DPDGDQ7KLVLVWKHUG am liaising with Utility Companies regarding was slow, which in turn, had an effect on very short time. As a result, the site was left consecutive year that Nuns Moor has hosted the services plans for this area and having the early stocking rates for our graziers. As in the best condition I have ever witnessed, this event, starting in 2013 when around 300 agreed on the fence line route, some we approached, the end of May weather and I thank them for this. people attended. This number jumped to 700 metres of Elizabethan fencing will be conditions had warmed and the grass DURXQGSHRSOHLQDQG installed to complete these works. started to shoot away. By early June we 1RVRRQHUZDVWKHVLWHEDFNWR´QRUPDOµZH ZKLOVWQRRIÀFLDOKHDGFRXQWZDVWDNHQ were almost at our grazing quota for the KDG&DQFHU5HVHDUFK8.DQGWKHLU3UHWW\ estimates suggest that over 3000 Muslims Events still to come season. attended this year. 0XGG\DQG5DFHIRU/LIHHYHQWVRQWKH7RZQ +HDWRQ+DUULHUV0HPRULDO5DFH November Moor on the 10th of July - again the weather 2QWKHWKRI0D\WKH7RZQ0RRU6WDIIDQG was very kind and both the events were very We now have a short recess in our events 0HQ·VWHVWLFXODUFDQFHUN5DFH ,LQFRQMXQFWLRQZLWK3HWHU6FRWWUHWLUHG&LW\ well attended, proving that, once again, our calendar and the Town Moor staff are (Movember) November Council employee previously responsible now concentrating their efforts on pasture Town Moor is a very popular events site and 1HZ 14 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 15 BBC Documentary A year in the life of the Town Moors. %%&5DGLR1HZFDVWOHLV currently collaborating with one of the world’s top wildlife sound recordists - Chris Watson - and two local ITV Drama Fairground customers were on set along with photographers - Kaleel Zibe the entire associated infrastructure which and Jacky Longstaff - to The local population were a bit puzzled as resembled a small City which was based at document one year in the to what was happening on the Town Moor WKH*UDQGVWDQG5RDGHQWUDQFH%UHQGDVDLG life of the city’s Town Moor. ZKHQWKHSRSXODUGUDPDVHULHVRI9HUD she was enjoying shooting the scenes on the Capturing the sounds, sights, descended on the Town Moor, the episode Town Moor especially as the weather had birds, beasts, people and for series 6 is based around a fairground been so kind. events in the green lungs of and being aware of the Hoppings fair the city. the producers made contact to request As with all commercial events the Freemen SHUPLVVLRQWRVHWXSDIDLUJURXQGDVDÀOPVHW RI1HZFDVWOHFKDULW\EHQHÀWIURPXVDJHRI As well as the many sounds RQWKH7RZQ0RRUDQGWRÀOPWKHHSLVRGH the Town Moors. there are interviews by the saying the size of the location was ideal as Chairman of the Freemen the City of Newcastle skyline would be in the 6LU/HRQDUG)HQZLFNIDUPHU background. %ULDQ0DQQHUV3UHVLGHQWRI WKH6KRZPHQ·V*XLOG'DYLG With arrangements made, one of our :DOOLV3DVWRU5HYHUHQG +RSSLQJVWHQDQWV¶6FRWW3XOOHQ)DLUV·KDG (JOHVWRQH1HZFDVWOH3ULGH arrived on site and setup his fairground to name but a few. RQ6XQGD\QG$XJXVWZLWKÀOPLQJ Tree Maintenance commencing from the Monday through to This ambitious project can 6XQGD\ WK$XJXVWZLWKWKHODVWVKRRWWDNLQJ be followed by visiting the Day to day maintenance within the Moor Bank estate SODFHDWSPRQ6XQGD\QLJKW BBC Newcastle website, just includes the management of trees as can be seen with search ‘a year in the life of our staff member Billy Harland doing some necessary tree Brenda Blethyn the star of series along with the Town Moor or by using surgery, Billy was granted time off from his duties with the .HQQ\'RXJKW\6HDQ*LOGHU%HQ5\DQ the link Freemen of Newcastle to complete a course and is now Davies, Finn Atkins, Julia Ford assisted by 6 www.bbc.co.uk/ DTXDOLÀHGWUHHVXUJHRQDQGXVHVKLVNQRZOHGJHIRUWKH XQLIRUPHG3ROLFH)DLUJURXQGZRUNHUV programmes/p02vk0z2 EHQHÀWRIWKH)UHHPHQ 16 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 17 moments, he of a subsequent date, were transcribed observed that into their present order book, 1735. One of Town Moor Aerial Newcastle Guilds he durst do these forbade the use of tobacco at their what a certain meetings, under a penalty of 3d. for every Photography alderman in the offence. 7KH6WHZDUGV&RPPLWWHHKDYHcommissioned Goldsmiths town durst not DVSHFLDOLVWÀUPWRXQGHUWDNHDSURMHFWWR This ancient company was incorporated do for his life. The Glovers, one of the bye-trades, occur photograph the Town Moor from the air. A company called Macaw Engineering ZLWKWKH3OXPEHUV*OD]LHUV3HZWHUHUV This came to the LQDVUHQWLQJSDUWRIWKH6NLQQHUV· have been selected to carry out the project DQG3DLQWHUVLQDQGVHSDUDWHGIURP alderman’s ears, meeting-house, at the annual rent of using highly advanced aerial photography them in 1717. (fn. 2) In 1702, this society and he asked ÀYHVKLOOLQJV7KH\DSSHDUWRKDYHEHHQ equipment. obtained an assay-master. Matthew what was the meaning of his LQFRUSRUDWHGZLWKWKH6NLQQHUVDERXW 7KH¶6PDOO8QPDQQHG$HULDO6\VWHPV· 68$6 observation. The assay master recollected the year 1703. In 1712, their meeting- UHIHUUHGWRDV´GURQHVµFDQEHHTXLSSHG ´,Q WKHNLQJFRPPDQGHGWKH that the alderman was a person of house, on the west side of the Black Friars, with high quality photographic and video bailiffs and good men of Newcastle upon considerable wealth, and one, as many was repaired at their joint expense. The technology, and are operated to a stringent Tyne, to choose in full court by the oath of such men are, from whom ideas of rank ordinary of the Glovers’ society, dated set of standards laid out by the Civil Aviation Authority. of four and twenty burgesses, four of the DQGSURSHUW\ZHUHLQVHSDUDEOH¶6LU·VDLG -DQXDU\HQMRLQHGWKHPWRJR most prudent and trusty of their town he, ‘I dare do what you dare not do for together in procession at the feast of It is expected that the photographs and IRUWKHRIÀFHRIPRQH\HUVWKHUHDQG your life. ‘The repetition of the language Corpus Christi, in a livery, and play their videos produced will be an excellent other four like persons for the keeping of was still more irritating to the alderman, play at their own charge; to choose point of reference for both Freemen and the wider population of Newcastle upon WKHNLQJ·VPLQWVLQWKDWWRZQ DOVRWZRÀW and he exclaimed, in a passion, ‘Well, sir, annually three stewards; that apprentices Tyne to highlight the individual moors, their and prudent Goldsmiths to be assayers and what is it you dare do?’ ‘Why, sir,’ should serve seven years, on pain of topography and utilisation. of the money to be made there, and replied Matthew, ‘I dare spend the last forfeiting 6s. 8d. “to the light of the said RQHÀWDQGWUXVW\FOHUNIRUWKHNHHSLQJ It is expected that the project will commence VL[SHQFH,KDYHLQWKHZRUOG·µ FUDIW µWKDWQR6FRWVPDQERUQVKRXOGEH GXULQJ$XJXVW6HSWHPEHUVXEMHFWWR of the exchange, and send them to the taken apprentice, nor allowed to work in favourable weather. Keep an eye on The treasurer and barons of the exchequer, WKHWRZQXQGHUDSHQDOW\RIV Freemen of Newcastle website and social to do there what by ancient custom and media platforms where the videos and assize was to be done in that case. By an Skinners photographs will available to be viewed and DFWRISDUOLDPHQW+HQU\9,FLWZDV enjoyed by all. ordered how silver should be touched and and marked in Bristol, Chester, Exeter, 1HZFDVWOHXSRQ7\QH F0DWWKHZ3ULRU Glovers was sworn assayer at Newcastle in 1759; The ancient and when an attempt was made to ordinary of WDNHWKHRIÀFHIURPWKHWRZQKHJDYH WKH6NLQQHUV· evidence before the House of Commons Company is on the subject. Being asked if he knew GDWHG-DQXDU\7KHQDPHV whether his scales were good ones, he RI5LFKDUG+DOOPD\RU7KRPDV professed his conviction that they were :DUGHOOVKHULII5RJHU7KRUQWRQ5REHUW remarkably true. “What would cast :KHOSLQJWRQ/DXUHQFH$FWRQ6LPRQ WKHP"µDVNHGDPHPEHU7KHUHSO\WR Weldon, and William Ellerby, aldermen, this question was full of the shrewdness occur in it. The society were to meet on and argumentative illustration for which the Tuesday after Michaelmas every the man was remarkable: “Why, sir, they year, unless that festival should fall on a would be cast by one of the hairs from Monday, and then on the Tuesday seven- WKHEDFNRIP\KDQGµ$QRWKHUDQHFGRWH night following, to choose their stewards, of this gentleman is told in the Newcastle and pass their accounts. The different Magazine for 1821:- “In one of his jovial orders it contained, together with others 18 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 19 It is always good to see regulars attending The Lord Mayor’s but this year it was especially nice to see so many newly sworn in Freemen of Parade 2015 ERWKVH[HVHQMR\LQJWKH3DUDGH,WZDV XQIRUWXQDWHWKDWWKHQXPEHURI5REHVLQ This was the best attended parade for VWRFNRQWKLVRFFDVLRQZHUHLQVXIÀFLHQW many years with 36 Freemen, most of however that did not detract from the whom were robed. occasion. The Freemen in their red and blue robes Tea and biscuits were available following looked splendid. Winding their way the Church service giving the Freemen towards the Cathedral accompanying the opportunity, in a very informal setting, the Lord Mayor of the City is an impressive to chat with members of the public and sight. explain what the Freemen are all about, in 7KH/RUG0D\RU·V3DUDGHKDVEHHQRQWKH these days of austerity and urban sprawl calendar of the Freemen for many years they are, in the main, great supporters of and has always been a special occasion the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne. and the only time in the year when we To the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne come together with the City for the pomp who did not make it in 2015 make a note DQGSDJHDQWU\WKDWGHÀQHXVDVDQDWLRQ WRDWWHQGIRURQ6XQGD\0D\WK It must always be remembered that the OLQNEHWZHHQWKH/RUG0D\RU·VRIÀFHLV very strong, next year being the 800th DQQLYHUVDU\RIWKHPDNLQJRIWKHÀUVW/RUG Mayor of this great city, a Freeman. and service were excellent. TMMC Coach Trip Keswick is a small market town at the top The Town Moor Money Charity Coach Trip of Derwent Water. We were dropped off 2015 travelled to the picturesque market right in the middle of town and visitors had town of Keswick in the Lake District. The the option of visiting the famous market or trip was well attended with around forty just exploring the surroundings. souls including several of the trustees. We were drawn to the water’s edge The coach set off from the front entrance which features an abundance of bird life RI6W0DU\0DJGDOHQH+RVSLWDORQ and a myriad of pleasure vessels whilst a &ODUHPRQW5RDGSDXVLQJEULHÁ\WRSLFN few brave, some say foolhardy, swimmers up a few additional travellers outside the braced the chilly water. With the sun &HQWUDO6WDWLRQLQ1HZFDVWOH shining and a gentle breeze to blow away the cobwebs, we enjoyed an overpriced The journey towards Carlisle took several ice cream not far from the Theatre of the diversions along the A69 and the B6318 Lake. ¶0LOLWDU\5RDG·SDVVLQJ&KHVWHUV5RPDQ Fort and a few other notable landmarks 7HDZDVVHUYHGDW6KHSKHUG·VLQ&DUOLVOH LQFOXGLQJWKHVSOHQGLG6\FDPRUH*DS, and, as before, was uniformly excellent. normally travel this route by car and don’t The trip home was just as interesting and get to see much in the way of scenery included a fair number of excellent photo- so the coach journey was particularly RSSRUWXQLWLHVÀQLVKHGRIIE\DOHQJWK\ enjoyable. detour whilst circumnavigating the picturesque road works within Newcastle Lunch was well timed, and served at City Centre. 6KHSKHUGV+RWHOQHDU&DUOLVOH7KHIRRG 20 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 21 Diary Dates Notice Board & Freemen Shop Michaelmas Guild Christmas Guild Bereavements The Freemen of Monday 12th October 2015 Monday 18th January 2016 Newcastle shop is open Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on Angela Allison 4XD\VLGHERWWRPRI'HDQ6WUHHW 4XD\VLGHERWWRPRI'HDQ6WUHHW Tanners Company Freemen of Newcastle upon &ORVH&RXUWRI*XLOG IRU&RPSDQ\6WHZDUGV &ORVH&RXUWRI*XLOG IRU&RPSDQ\6WHZDUGV only) begins at 10.00 am. At this particular only) begins at 10.30 am. Tyne pin badges are available John Armstrong PHHWLQJWKH6WHZDUGV&RPPLWWHHLV Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of now. The 16mm badge depicts democratically elected via ballot for the Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12 Ann Irwin the armorial bearings of the ensuing year. noon prompt. 6KLSZULJKWV&RPSDQ\ City circled by the inscription Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open “Freemen of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12 Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. noon prompt. 1HZFDVWOHXSRQ7\QHµ The meeting concludes with new Freemen Ellen Ruth Turnbull You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open being called, and if present being sworn in Cordwainers Company The ever popular multi crested Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. by the Lord Mayor. silk ties are back in stock. The meeting concludes with new Freemen Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is being called, and if present being sworn in served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. Joyce Greenwell by the Lord Mayor. Bricklayers Company And new for the ladies - 25mm Charm, Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is Necklaces are also available complete served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. on a 60mm chain, both depict the Alice Ann Oliver armorial bearings of the City circled by Gladys Fletcher the inscription “Freemen of the City of House Carpenters 1HZFDVWOHXSRQ7\QHµ Company Orders to Kevin Batey Town Moor Stewards/ 6XSHULQWHQGHQW at Moozr Bank Junior Stewards Lodge, payment Attending Close Guild with order by IRUWKHÀUVWWLPH cheque payable to ‘Freemen of Helen Burkett Newcastle upon Cordwainers Company Tyne’ - the address can be found at the rear of the magazine. Annual Guild Days Donna Shrigley Ties - £27.00 &KULVWPDV*XLOGWKHÀUVW0RQGD\DIWHUWK-DQXDU\ Tanners Company Pin Badge - £3.00 (DVWHU*XLOGWKHÀUVW0RQGD\DIWHU(DVWHU0RQGD\ Stick Pin Badge - £4.00 Joan Wilkinson 0LFKDHOPDV*XLOGWKHÀUVW0RQGD\DIWHU0LFKDHOPDV0RQGD\ Charm - £6.00 Bricklayers Company 0LFKDHOPDV0RQGD\LVWKHÀUVW0RQGD\DIWHU6HSWHPEHU WK Necklace - £7.00 22 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 23 Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne 6XSHULQWHQGHQWDQG2IÀFH 0U.HYLQ%DWH\ 0RRU%DQN/RGJH&ODUHPRQW5RDG 1HZFDVWOHXSRQ7\QH1(1/ Tel: Email: [email protected] Website: www.freemenofnewcastle.org http://www.facebook.com/groups/ freemenofnewcastle COPYRIGHT: Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne. PUBLISHER: Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith Tel: 01325 304360 Email: [email protected]