2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:39 Page 1

freemen THE NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

MAGAZINE

R 5
08
20
M UE
O ISS

BE
VE
N
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:40 Page 2

Forew
We can proudly re
successful year in

The Town Moors are a

The Coat of Arms of the much revered jewel in
the crown of our city.
City of Newcastle upon Tyne
As guardians of this
famous ‘city lung’, the
Freemen have an
overriding
responsibility,
enshrined in modern
legislation, to care for
and ensure not only a
good standard of
presentation for
effectively grazing
cattle but to preserve
traditional rights of ‘air
and exercise’ for the
benefit of local
communities. In this
regard we work in
partnership with the
City Council whom I
know greatly value
our contribution as
Cover Photo: The Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne. part of a common
Copyright: City Repro, The City of Newcastle upon Tyne. purpose.
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:40 Page 3

freemen
THE NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

MAGAZINE

08
BE E 5
20
EM SU
R
EC IS
D
Foreword
We can proudly reflect upon a highly
Contents
Editorial 4
successful year in all that we do. Environment 5
FEW Annual General Meeting 6
The Town Moors are a Newcastle Freemen
much revered jewel in have long held values Disenfranchised Company Keepers 7
the crown of our city. and principles dating Durham Visit 9
As guardians of this back hundreds of
Hoppings 10
famous ‘city lung’, the years and successfully
Freemen have an blend these in the Lady Freemen 11
overriding Customs of the Burgesses 12-14
modern age to match
responsibility,
public expectations. Town Moor Joint Working Group 16
enshrined in modern
The themes running
legislation, to care for London Freemen Visit 18
through this
and ensure not only a
publication reflect the Superintendents Report 19
good standard of
presentation for strength of our good Michaelmas Guild 20
effectively grazing governance and
Diary Dates 22
cattle but to preserve demonstrate we are
Various News 8/17/21
traditional rights of ‘air moving forward,
and exercise’ for the fortified by tradition,
benefit of local independence and a
Magazine Co-Editors:
communities. In this commitment to the Jim Johnson-Tanners Company, Stewards Committee.
regard we work in environment. Alan Robson (Resigned)-Bakers & Brewers Company,
partnership with the Gild of Freemen Hon. Treasurer.
City Council whom I Sir Leonard Fenwick
know greatly value The Newcastle upon Tyne Freemen Magazine,
CBE Moor Bank Lodge, Claremont Road,
our contribution as
Chairman Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4NL
part of a common
Stewards Commitee E-mail freemenmagazine@freemenofnewcastle.org
purpose.

FREEMEN MAGAZINE 3
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:40
Editorial
The ongoing positive feedback from our readers is a wonderful stimulus to the
Editorial Team.
For it is good to know that our Magazine is
being so well received. Again we thank you for
the kind words, your comments and
suggestions.
The benefits available to a Freeman of
Newcastle upon Tyne and his family have been
set out in great detail in the first four issues of
our Magazine. We suggest that you keep these
particular issues for your future reference. It is
our intention to reiterate such important
information in future publications of the
Magazine.
As you can see from the various articles in this
edition, the good management and maintenance
of the Town Moors continues, the Stewards’ of
the various Company Guilds meet on a tri-
annual basis to determine strategic priorities and
ensure good governance of the Freemen as a
whole in serving Newcastle upon Tyne and
working with the City Council.
In our Magazine there are regular articles
relating to the fascinating history of the Freedom
of the City. We do hope these will rekindle your
pride in being a Freeman and encourage you to
become actively involved in all that we do. There
is always a lot happening, as you can see when
you read through this edition.
“ For it is good to know that our Magazine is
being so well received, as we agonise over
the content for the latest issue. Again we
thank you for the kind words, your
comments and suggestions.
4 FREEMEN MAGAZINE
Page 4
Unfortunately, we have to repeat this plea. It is
most important that the Editorial Team are
notified as soon as possible when one of our
readers changes his/her address. We must also
be informed of the relocation or passing on of
any Freemen. Thank you in advance for your
kind co-operation in this matter.
Alan Robson has decided to relinquish his post
as joint editor; Alan is a Steward of the Bakers
and Brewers Company, the Gild of Freemen Hon
Treasurer, and Past President of the FEW.
We must pay tribute to Alan for his contribution
towards making our Magazine such a success,
and are sure many readers will join us in
thanking Alan for his determination over many
years to sustain the distribution of the original
newsletter, then persuading the Stewards
Committee to effectively communicate with the
Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne by publishing
this Magazine.
We look forward to reading your letters and
emails. Please do comment. Ideas always
welcome.
May we wish you all a very Merry Christmas
and a prosperous New Year.
“
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:40 Page 5

Elizabethan
Fence Line
Completion of the latest the Cowgate interchange,
phase of the Elizabethan Dukes Moor, Town Moor
metal fencing has been from Grandstand Road
completed on the Town gates up to the cattle
Moor adjoining pens.
Grandstand Road.
In the region of 4850 This is viewed as a long
metres of wooden fence term investment which no
have been replaced on doubt will pay dividends
various Moors with 4000 in the long term, it has
metres of new secure been gratifying to receive
metal fence and 850 such a positive response
metres of palisade fencing from the public and the
around the boundaries of City Council who are
Newcastle’s Town Moors pleased the Freemen are
over the last two years, investing so much in
this includes completion improving the
of; Castle Leazes, Nuns environment of this much
Moor perimeter facing cherished heritage.
Fenham Hall Drive and

Environmental Awareness
To complement our environmental work The new cattle
we are conscious of the need to recycle, pen which has
when installing the new Elizabethan metal been installed
fence line lengths of wood from the on Hunters
replaced fences are taken to the Moor Moor has been
Bank Lodge yard where it is checked by constructed using a considerable amount
our staff for suitability for reuse and if so of the reclaimed timber from recycled
dressed and cut into useable lengths wooden fences, resulting in a
which is then used in replacing or considerable cost saving on material and
repairing existing wooden fences. benefit to the environment.

FREEMEN MAGAZINE 5
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:40 Page 6

Newcastle Freemen with their partners at Hale

FEW AGM Report by Alan Bainbridge

In April I was asked by the Stewards Committee to take on the
responsibility of representing the Freemen of Newcastle upon
Tyne with the Freemen of England and Wales (FEW).

This was something I was
pleased to do as I have always
been a supporter of the
Freemen of England and Wales
and took to my task with relish.
One of the great things about
this key responsibility was that I
could attend the F E W Annual
General Meeting (hosted this
year by the Freemen of Hale
together with the Mayors of
Liverpool and Halton) and
participate with a voice of
informed authority on behalf of
the Stewards Committee and
the Guild.
The Freemen of Hale were
perfect hosts I enjoyed their
company and very pleasant
village environment. I did not
realise that there was such a
picturesque village so close to a
large industrial city. We enjoyed
everything from the tour of
Liverpool City Hall, St Georges
Hall and Albert Dock, which
turned out to be a wonderful
experience, rounded off with a
sumptuous Sunday lunch
provided for us by the Mayor
of Halton on our final day.
The Dinner on the Saturday
night hosted by the Freemen of
Hale, in the Halls of Residence
of Liverpool University, was a
splendid affair with all the
ladies in their best frocks and
the gentlemen in their best bibs
and tuckers sitting down to a
gourmet meal, followed by first
class entertainment and
dancing, until the small hours.
A special thank you must go to
Steve Turton of the organising
committee who did so much to
make the weekend a total
social success. We were all very
grateful.
I would like to be as
complimentary about the
business part of the weekend
but I can’t, the Annual General
Meeting was shambolic with a
touch of the Macabre.
F E W are beavering away to
progress a Bill in Parliament
that would fundamentally
change the rules and customs
of how Freemen would operate
throughout the kingdom,
namely the Borough Freedom
Bill 2, (which is described in
detail in this magazine) The
Stewards Committee is of the
opinion that the FEW should
not be acting in this way as the
constitution of this organisation
does not prescribe the authority
to pronounce on matters of
such a far reaching political
dimension. Subsequently
Michaelmas Guild confirmed
that Newcastle would not have

6 FREEMEN MAGAZINE
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associated ourselves, had we
known that this was the path
that they would take in such a
unilateral fashion.
The FEW constitution states
The objects of The Freemen of
England and Wales Association
are to advance public
education in the freedom and
promote research into the
history and legal customs of
ancient towns of England and
Wales and the legal institution
of the freedom, to publish the
useful results of such research
and in furtherance of this
Having witnessed the
workings of FEW at close
quarters I do not believe
Newcastle upon Tyne Freemen
are best served by this
organisation who has
demonstrated they do not
wish to listen to others nor
consider the views that may
interfere with what they
consider to be important.
In an attempt to sum them
up, they are better at dressing
up for pomp and ceremony
than they are at the business
of addressing fundamental
the various Guilds, that with
immediate effect we sever all
links with the FEW until they
can demonstrate that their
values are similar to ours, was
carried with only one vote
against, and one abstention all
of which served to reinforce
my confidence in our
traditions of open debate and
democracy in the conduct of
our affairs as a charitable
institution.
Alan Bainbridge
Stewards Committee
and Steward of the

ridge object to provide advice and

information concerning the
legal institution of the freedom
affairs of a well founded Guild
such as Newcastle who have
such meaningful
Goldsmiths

within each of those several responsibilities in partnership

places in England and Wales, with our City Council.
being former boroughs or
places where that institution is At Michaelmas Guild my
to be found. proposal to the Stewards of

Disenfranchised Company Keepers

Over a long period Guild has taken a united
approach to persuade and encourage those
Guilds who pursued a policy of excluding
Freemen from membership, because of, for
example, a break in continuity through a
generation or a misdemeanour dating back in
times gone by, even though such Freemen
hail through the respective Company.
Guild is of the opinion, provided there is
demonstrable provenance that individual
Freemen should be granted admission to the
Company of their forefathers. To do otherwise
is a scenario Guild is not prepared to
countenance. In recent years Companies have
shown commitment to refresh and modernise
so as to ensure equity on this issue.
Disappointedly their does appear to be several
Freemen who are disenfranchised in respect of
their claim to be admitted as Company
Keepers to the House Carpenters. These
Freemen who can trace ancestral lineage back
many generations, one whose ancestor was
apprenticed to no other than Henry Grainger
in the 19th Century have turned to the
Stewards Commitee in their quest for equity.
Not deterred and whilst mindful of having no
influence of authority in relation to the good
governance of an individual Company Guild
has resolved to continue to encourage
change. It is recognised that the House
Carpenters rarely give their attendance at
Guild, some 6 occasions only out of a possible
48 since 1985. Due to these circumstances
the decision was taken that their should be
greater awareness of this issue across the
Freelage.

FREEMEN MAGAZINE 7
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:40 Page 8

Exhibition Park Reconfiguration

To facilitate access for other than light vehicles and progress an overall reconfiguration of the Park, the
requirement of a ‘land exchange ‘ has been requested by the City Council.

After seeking and receiving the approval in principle at Guild the Stewards Committee are beginning
to address the detail of the request, assurance can be given that there shall be no loss whatsoever to
the overall herbage or designated Town Moor land thereby ensuring compliance with the
requirements of the Town Moor Act, 1988.

Long and Meritorious Service Motion Carried

Ian Miller, chairman of 1151
Squadron Wallsend Air Cadets,
was invited to RAF College
Cranwell to receive a certificate
for ‘long and meritorious
service’ in recognition of 50
years with the squadron. The
certificate was presented by
Baroness Gibson.
Apart from 50 years with Air
cadets, Ian has also had 47
years active involvement with
the Youth Hostels Association
and is regional vice-president.
To date he has clocked up 205
years of voluntary service with a
variety of charities ranging from
Age Concern Insurance and
Red Cross Stroke Club to
Dementia Initiative.
Ian receives
certificate from
Baroness Gibson
Ian, Steward of the Shipwrights
Company for 36 years, 30 as
Head Steward, has also served
on the Stewards committee for
18 years, during that time he
has also become well known for
his work as the Town Moor
Charity visitor where he and
Ron Taylor are the link between
Freemen, their families and the
charity, taking recipients to the
pantomime and on coach trips.
Newcastle Corporate
membership of the Freemen of
England and Wales Association
discontinued.
The Michaelmas Guild held on
6th October 2008 was virtually
unanimous with all Stewards in
favour other than 1 voting
against and 1 abstention of a
motion moved by Alan
Bainbridge (Goldsmiths) and
seconded by Chris Atkinson
(Ropemaker).
Note: This involves corporate
membership of all Newcastle
Freemen, but does not preclude
Companies or individual
Freemen of a Company
exercising choice in this regard.

8 FREEMEN MAGAZINE
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Visit to Durham
An invitation from the Durham Freemen to visit Durham City on Saturday
24th May, resulted in around 75 Newcastle upon Tyne Freemen being
received by the Mayor of Durham Dr Grenville Holland and Mayoress along
with the Chairman of the Wardens of the Durham City Freemen, Mr John
Heslop who was supported by some 35 Durham City Freemen.

Guests were given a short talk on the history of David Wilson invited the hosts to visit Newcastle
the Durham Freemen, followed by a tour of the upon Tyne next year and they gratefully
Town Hall, the Council Chamber and the Burlison accepted.
on Carried Art Gallery, including a viewing of the Durham
Freemen and Corporation silver collection. Thanks are made to Stephen Healy Head Steward
Corporate of Freemen of Trinity House and Master of the
p of the Freemen of According to research done by our hosts, it was Gild, and to Alan Bainbridge Company Steward of
d Wales Association almost two hundred years since a social gathering the Goldsmiths and member of the Stewards
ed. of this kind had taken place between the Committee for liaising locally in Durham.
Freemen of the neighbouring Cities.
elmas Guild held on
er 2008 was virtually
After refreshments John
with all Stewards in
er than 1 voting Heslop presented their
d 1 abstention of a guests with a panoramic
ved by Alan photograph of the city by
(Goldsmiths) and John Atkinson. In return
by Chris Atkinson David Wilson, Vice
er). Chairman of the Newcastle
Freemen and Company
involves corporate Steward of the Ropemakers
p of all Newcastle
presented their hosts with a
ut does not preclude
Decanter on behalf of the
or individual
f a Company Freemen of Newcastle.
choice in this regard.

FREEMEN MAGAZINE 9
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:41
Hoppings 2008 Dodging the Poor Weather
Despite the changeable weather, the 2008 Hoppings was viewed
as a successful event, due in the main to the condition of the
site thanks to the hard work of our staff in the preparation of
the site and combined with the kind weather during the
month leading up to the opening day.
The showground had benefited from the
drainage works and service road widening which
had been completed early spring 2007. Ricky
Alder of the Stewards Committee a very busy
farmer and Company Steward of the Butchers
was on hand and advised on the best fertilization
to help the turf recover from the previous year,
and along with the restriction on grazing this
paid dividends as the sward flourished. A
decision by Kevin Batey not to pasture top the
sward was found to be of great benefit in the
preservation of the site during the pull on,
set up, and during the fair. Many of the
show people commented they had
doubted whether the ground would
be in a fit state after last year, and
made a point to compliment our
staff on everything they
had done.
10 FREEMEN MAGAZINE
Page 10
In co-operation
with the City
Council we
introduced a
bond for the
first time
this year as
a means of
recouping unnecessary costs
due to thoughtless misuse of the site
a situation that did need to be curtailed, the
bond being fixed this year at £20,000.
Inspection after the event found apart from one
or two concerns which were highlighted, a
significant improvement on previous years was
apparent hence the decision was taken to return
the bond in full without any penalties.
The challenge now is to maintain the momentum
and work towards change that can help reduce
the risk of this event becoming non-viable
in the medium to long term. Further
improvement works are being
undertaken in readiness for 2009.
 2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08
Weather
The Borough Freedom (No.2)Bill
We are all familiar with the
scope and content of the
original Borough Freedom
(Family Succession) Bill,
conveniently referred to as the
‘Beverley Bill’ which instigated
the move to ensure the rights
of women were consistently
addressed throughout England
and Wales. Newcastle upon
Tyne (Freemen and City
Council) unequivocally
supported the Beverley Bill
because of its relative
simplicity, but unfortunately
this Bill floundered.
Lord Graham of Edmonton is
currently sponsoring the
‘Borough Freedom (No 2) Bill
as a fresh endeavour. The Bill is
of direct interest to the
Freemen of Newcastle upon
Tyne and consequently of
indirect interest to the City
Council.
There are a number of
concerns about the Bill in its
current form.
These are:
It is long and unnecessarily
complex, being over four
pages in length while the
original Borough Freedom
(Family Succession) Bill was
about half a page in length.
(i) The No2 Bill attempts to
deal with not only (a) the
admission of women to the
freelage by Guilds of Freemen,
but also with (b) the
conferment of the Freedom on
persons of distinction by local
authorities. The two are quite
21/11/08 14:41 Page 11
commonly confused in
practice. The concern being
the grouping of the two
together will only add to the
confusion.It also deals with
giving local councils of certain
Cinque Port towns the power
to confer the honour of
Freedom status on persons of
distinction.
(ii) The Bill should allow for the
admission of women as
Hereditary Freemen per se’,
it does not do so. Instead it
provides for individual
Freemen to propose this in the
form of a resolution, followed
by a postal ballot of all
Freemen of the City
concerned, and would require
a majority vote in favour for
women to be admitted as
Hereditary Freemen.
(iii) Current legislation on
equal rights may not be used
to tackle this anachronism
because of the difficulty in
establishing the provenance of
the exact rules relating to the
rights of admission, the
detailed provision of local
charters and the status of local
customs and restrictions.
Because of this, specific
legislation is needed allowing
women to be admitted as
Hereditary Freemen. This will
oblige all Freemen (not just
those who vote to do so) to
acknowledge equality of
opportunity in the same way
as the rest of society.
The involvement of the FEW
and their direct negotiations
with Lord Graham as to the
content of the No2 Bill has in
the view of the Stewards
Committee been undertaken
without the authority and
mandate of Guild.
In particular, the admission of
women should be seen as an
absolute right in this day
and age, rather than
the subject of ballots.
There has been no
consultation with the
Stewards Committee
in this regard.
Guild expressed an
unequivocal
mandate for the
Stewards Committee
to promote a much simpler
private Bill based on the more
succinct and certainly less
ambiguous Borough Freedom
(Family Succession) Bill. That
Bill, as already highlighted
merely removes any
requirement that may exist
limiting admission to the
freelage to the sons of
Freemen, thus allowing
daughters to be admitted.
The Stewards Committee is
liaising with the City Council to
ensure a Bill is formulated that
achieves our objectives whilst
preserving the rights enshrined
in the Town Moor Act.
Contact has also been made
with the four Newcastle MPs
i.e. Nick Brown, Jim Cousins,
Doug Henderson, and David
Clelland to pinpoint our
concerns. Do not hesitate to
contact an MP on this issue.
FREEMEN MAGAZINE 11
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The Customs of the

Burgesses of Newcastle
upon Tyne
The Customs are the customary laws which are peculiar to the burgesses of Newcastle
upon Tyne. The influence of the Customs continued well into the nineteenth century,
although many were lost in 1972. From these Customs sprang a large part of municipal
law of seven English boroughs extending from Hartlepool to Alnwick and across to
Carlisle. Most of the Scottish boroughs also based their municipal law on the
Newcastle Customs.

12 FREEMEN MAGAZINE
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08
The earliest version of the
Customs of the Burgesses of
Newcastle upon Tyne, still in
existence, is a hand written
document in the Public
Records Office. (Translation
follows this article) Dated
around the time of King Henry
I, It records the Freemen’s
privileges at that time, which
in turn gave the status of
“borough” to the town.
The word borough (Anglo
Saxon burh) meant a fortified
place occupied by a settled
community of free men who
possessed special privileges,
and by those privileges was
recognised and distinguished
from other towns and villages
whose inhabitants did not
possess them. A borough
could be a small as well as a
relatively large town or village.
Consequently not all towns
were boroughs and not all
boroughs were towns.
The Royal Charter given to the
Burgesses of Newcastle upon
Tyne in 1175 by Henry II was
of a normal type of the time,
21/11/08 14:41 Page 13
granting freedom from tolls
etc. The Customs from which
the burgesses had long since
taken their privileges and
based their administration
within the borough (and
continued to do so) had been
in existence 300 or more years
earlier. This is some 1200
years ago in relation to the
freedom that we proudly
maintain today.
Indeed evidence from the full
Customs wording indicates
that roots of the Freemen of
Newcastle upon Tyne go back
to the Roman times.
Customs of Newcastle
upon Tyne
These are the laws and
customs which the burgesses
of Newcastle upon Tyne had in
the time of Henry, king of
England, and ought to have.
Burgesses may distrain upon
outsiders in the marketplace or
outside it, in their houses or
outside them, and within the
borough and outside it,
without the permission of the
reeve, unless the County Court
is in session in the borough or
the outsiders are serving in the
army or castle-guard. A
burgess may not make
distraint on another burgess
without permission from the
reeve. If a burgess makes in
the borough a loan of
anything of his to outsiders,
the debtor shall return it to
him if he acknowledges the
debt; if he denies the debt he
should answer to justice in the
borough. Pleas which are
initiated in the borough should
be tried and brought to
conclusion there, except those
which belong to the crown. If
any burgess is accused in a
suit, he shall not plead outside
the borough unless the court
fails to do justice. Nor, except
in matters involving the crown,
should he defend without day
and term being assigned unless
first he falls into error in his
pleading. If a ship comes to
harbour at Tynemouth, then
wishes to depart, the
burgesses may first buy
whatever they wish of its
cargo. If a plea arises
between a burgess and a
FREEMEN MAGAZINE 13
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08
travelling merchant, it is to be
brought to conclusion before the
third ebb-tide. Merchandize of
whatever kind brought by sea
ought to be put ashore, except for
salt, while herring should be sold
in the ship. If anyone holds land in
burgage for a year and a day,
lawfully and without claim against
it, he is thereafter not answerable
to any claimant, except one who
has been out of the kingdom or
who was a child not old enough to
bring legal action. If a burgess has
a son living with him, the son shall
share in the liberty of his father. If
a villein comes to reside in the
borough and lives there for a year
and a day as if a burgess, he may
stay in the borough forever, unless
he or his lord had previously
announced that he would reside
only for a set term. If anyone
accuses a burgess of anything, he
cannot prosecute by combat with
the burgess, but the burgess may
defend himself by his law, unless
the accusation is of treason
whereby he is obliged to
14
14FREEMEN
FREEMENMAGAZINE
MAGAZINE
14:41 Page 14
defend himself by battle. Nor can
a burgess do combat against an
outsider, unless he first quits the
burgage. No merchant, unless a
burgess, can inside or outside the
town buy wool, leather, or other
merchandize from anyone except
burgesses. If a burgess commits a
wrong, he shall give 6 ounces of
silver to the reeve. There is no
merchet, heriot, blodwit, nor
stengesdint in the borough. Any
burgess may have his own oven
and hand-mill if he wishes, saving
the rights of the king's oven. If a
woman commits a wrong
concerning bread or ale, no one
should interfere except the reeve.
If she commits the wrong twice,
let her penalty be chastisement. If
she commits wrong a third time,
she is to be brought to justice. No-
one except a burgess may buy
cloth for the purpose of dyeing,
nor make or cut cloth. A burgess
may give or sell his land, unless his
right to it is challenged, and go
freely and peacefully wherever he
wishes.
"merchet, heriot,
blodwit, nor
stengesdint"
Merchet was a fee for a
lord's permission for his
villein's daughter to marry,
and heriot a death duty
payable to the lord of a
deceased villein. Towns
were anxious to be free of
dues or services associated
with agricultural
communities. Blodwit was
a fine for an assault
drawing blood. Stengesdint
was a fine for striking with
a stick (i.e. causing injury
without drawing blood).
Footnote:
To gain an in-depth
knowledge of our history
we recommend the reading
of “The Origins of
Newcastle upon Tyne” by
Robert Fulton Walker M.A.,
LL.M. published by
Thorne’s Students’
Bookshop Ltd in 1976
(ISBN 0 9504159 1)
The late Mr Walker was
Chairman of the Freemen,
and hailed through the
Plumbers Company.
The first common seal of
the burgesses dated from
its inscription prior to
c.1200
 2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:41 Page 15

erchet, heriot,
dwit, nor
ngesdint"
het was a fee for a
permission for his
's daughter to marry,
Moor Bank Infrastructure Improvement
heriot a death duty Construction of the new agricultural infrastructure yard is to be widened and will include
behind the existing shed at Moor Bank Lodge electronically operated secure gates leading off
ble to the lord of a
began at the end of September with site Claremont Road.
ased villein. Towns preparation, then the laying of the foundations to
anxious to be free of accommodate the new portal frame Building. Completion is anticipated in readiness for start of
or services associated the 2009 grazing season.
agricultural The investment is a key component in a
munities. Blodwit was modernisation programme to provide a secure
for an assault area for storing tractors and other farm
ng blood. Stengesdint equipment, together with a workshop and
a fine for striking with ancillary storage.
k (i.e. causing injury
The old shed will be demolished and that area
out drawing blood). incorporated as part of the yard where a hard
standing is to be provided for plant along with a
car park for staff and visitors. The entrance to the
note:
in an in-depth
ledge of our history

Notice Board
commend the reading
he Origins of
castle upon Tyne” by
ments
Company Announce
rt Fulton Walker M.A.,
. published by
ne’s Students’ Steward Change
shop Ltd in 1976
Cordwainers Comp
any Plumbers Company
0 9504159 1) ior Steward. Richard Joyce Walke
r
David Loraine. Sen
ate Mr Walker was ward
Derek Lowdon. Ste
man of the Freemen, Scriveners Company
h
hailed through the Bereavements Peter Fenwick-Smit
bers Company.
Butchers Company Joiners Company
tchinson
irst common seal of Paul Thompson Thomas Edward Hu
urgesses dated from
House
cription prior to Freemen of Trinity Taylors Company
0 Lionel Kent Hugh Patterson

Shipwrights Company mpany

Slaters & Tylers Co
Richard Hastings wdon
Thomas Henry Sno

nt Editor of our
igned his post as Joi
Alan Robson has res g to be associated with the FEW –
Magazine, not wishin
Borough Freedom
(No2) Bill article.
AGM Report or the

FREEMEN MAGAZINE 15
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:42 Page 16

Town Moor
Joint Working
Group
Continues to meet on a regular basis
addressing all aspects where joint
involvement occurs, with Freemen,
City Officers, Councillors, and an
Allotment representative attending,
Police presence had been agreed but
unfortunately they failed to appear,
hence this has now been taken up
with the City Council Chief Executive
and the Chief Constable.

Since the inception of the Town
Moor Working group, the co-
operation between the Freemen
and the City has developed to a
stage where both parties agree
that we now work with a
common purpose.
As intended through our
restructure we are now seen as
a can do organisation with a
willingness to progress issues
quickly, Communication
between City Officers and the
Town Moor Superintendent
Kevin Batey has developed now
issues are progressed
immediately, or through liaising
with members of the Stewards
Committee Executive or Senior
City Officers so decisions can
be taken quickly.
Some key issues of note
Anti-social behaviour
Fortunately occurrences of
vandalism and fly tipping have
reduced over the last month or
so, this is normal during the
summer although as autumn
moves into winter and the
nights cut in it is anticipated
extra vigilance will be required,
if any unlawful activities are
seen please report to the police
by telephone on 0191-2146500
ask for control and obtain a
crime number, then inform
Kevin Batey, the Town Moor
Superintendent on
07798771323 who will keep a
log of all reported incidents.
Footpaths
Concerns with regard to the
footpaths on Castle Leazes are
being addressed by the City,
and resurfacing work is
expected to start during
November once the graziers
have removed the cattle.
Hoppings
A sub group from the working
group has been established to
concentrate on all aspects of
the event, the lease, and to
identify where and how
improvements can be made to
ensure the event is viable.
Discussions will be ongoing
with the Northern Syndicate of
the Showmen’s Guild with
regard to the event layout,
management structure and
responsibilities, as we have a
clear understanding as to
improvements we are looking
to achieve.

16 FREEMEN MAGAZINE
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Derek Lowdon
After serving 16 years on the Stewards Committee, Derek Lowdon of the Cordwainers
Company decided to step down at Michaelmas Guild.
Derek also recently stepped In appreciation for his service and he received a warm
down as Head Steward of his to the Freemen of Newcastle round of applause by the
Company, handing the a presentation of a case of Stewards of the various
administrative lead to David fine wine was made to Derek Guilds. Very much deserved, a
Loraine. Derek at 80 years of by the Chairman Sir Leonard Freeman through and
Fenwick at Derek’s final through, a 12 year stint as a
age said it was time to let
Stewards Committee meeting.
someone a bit younger take trustee of the Mary
over although he would Also, at Michaelmas Guild, Magdalene and Holy Jesus
always be on hand to give Derek was thanked for his Hospital must also not be
advice. commitment to the Freemen forgotten.

Derek says farewell to his Committee colleques.

W.G. Frizzle. C.G. Atkinson. M. Grey. K. Hall. J. Johnson. Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chairman. Derek Lowdon.
A. Bainbridge. D. Wilson, Vice Chairman. P. Anderson. I.F. Miller. H. Alder. F.H. Alder.

FEW - Warden of the North

The Freemen of England and Wales Association has appointed Captain Stephen
Healy as their new Warden of the North. He takes over from Mr J.W.N.Petty.
Stephen is Senior Steward of the Freemen Therefore, if you have any questions
of Trinity House, and current Master of the Gild relating to FEW activities or Individual
of the Freemen of Newcastle. Through which he Membership of their Association, these can now
was actively involved in organizing the visit to be channelled locally through Stephen.
Durham and the visit by the Past Masters of Captain Stephen Healy.
London Livery Companies to Newcastle of 43 Greenlee Drive,
which were both a resounding success. Dalesford Green,
Little Benton,
As FEW Warden, Stephen operates on behalf of Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7GA
the President of the Freemen of England and Tel: 0191 2159356
Wales Association in the North of England. Email: stephen.healy@tesco.net

FREEMEN MAGAZINE 17
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:42 Page 18

Chairman Knighted
In June 2008 our Chairman Leonard Fenwick CBE
received the honour of being knighted in the Queens
Birthday Honours list, for services to Healthcare and to
the community in Tyne and Wear.
Sir Leonard has been our 1976. He became Chief Executive
Chairman for over 22 years and of all the city’s three major
during which time he has used hospitals which came under one
his expertise to ensure the organisation in 1997.
Freemen of Newcastle are
successful whilst fiercely He was quoted in the Press as
defending the values the
Newcastle Freemen hold with saying “He was lost for words, as
such pride and esteem. a Geordie born and bred I’m
very proud of the City and this is
Sir Leonard is Chief Executive of a credit for Newcastle, as well as
the Newcastle upon Tyne myself and colleagues.”
Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,
having joined the NHS as a We are sure all Freemen will join
management trainee in 1965, with us in sending our warmest
taking charge of the new congratulations on a well
Freemen Hospital as long ago as deserved honour.

Web Site Success

The success of our new web site following the
launch at Easter Guild 2008 has outstripped all
expectations and is proving to be amazingly
popular with an estimated 1000+ Hits every
month(for the techno phobes that’s how many
times the site is viewed). We have received
compliments and enquiries via the Contact Form
from all over the world demonstrating the power
of the World Wide Web to deliver up-to-date
information on the Freemen of Newcastle any
where in the world 24 hours a day. Although the
majority of visits are from the UK a snapshot
taken over one weekend included visits from David Hughes, Steward of the Coopers Company
Middlefield (Connecticut), Mountain View our web master not only designed and built the
(California), Escanaba (Michigan), Jacksonville site but maintains and monitors the presentation
(Florida), Barrie (Ontario), New Delhi (Delhi), and content through his company
Sydney (New South Wales), Richardson (Texas). www.infectionmedia.co.uk

Organisation Restructure
Significant improvement has been introduced and effectively sustained. The impact on the role and
responsibilities of Committee members and that of the Town Moor Superintendent has led to a
much greater cohesion with distinct responsibilities and effective team working.

We continue to address outstanding administrative issues such as better structured and secure
record keeping and archiving which is required to assist with the increase of ancestry
enquiries now received due to the publication of the Magazine and in particular the web site
re-launch which has certainly raised the profile of the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne.

18 FREEMEN MAGAZINE
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Visit by the London

Freemen
Every year, the Masters of the Livery Companies of London form an
association, of which their Lord Mayor for that year becomes the
President. The 97/98 Association is a particularly active group and
Arnold Currall
approached the Newcastle Gild of Freemen to assist in organising a visit presents memento
to Newcastle upon Tyne, and in the first week of June they arrived. to David W Mann.

Following a visit to meet the Lord Mayor at the
Civic Centre the party of London Freemen and
their partners were taken on a tour of the Town
Moors, Keith Hall of the Stewards Committee
and Town Moor Superintendent Kevin Batey
being on hand to answer questions and queries,
also to give a commentary on all aspects of
activities from our environmental and grazing
programme to the many larger events hosted on
the various Moors.
The tour included a visit to the Mary Magdalene
and Holy Jesus Trust where they were impressed
at the accommodation and facilities available to
the Newcastle Freemen, Freemen’s wives,
widows and daughters.
Then it was off to the Guild Hall where they
were greeted by the Hostmen’s Company who
performed their ancient function and organised a
Buffet Luncheon in the Merchant Adventurers
Court to celebrate the visit, congratulations go to
the Hostmen’s Stewards for a fine, well-
organised event, culminating in ‘A welcome to
our guests; by Dr Arnold Currall Governor,
The Hostmen’s Company of Freemen.
A talk by Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chairman of the
Stewards Committee, on origins of the Freemen
of Newcastle, the acts of 1774 and 1988 and the
custodianship by the Freemen of the 1,000 acres
of pasture land within the City;
A brief, yet illuminating, history of The Guidhall
and the Hostmen’s Company was given by Joe
Petty Senior Steward of The Hostmen’s Company
of Freemen. The reply was given by David W
Mann Chairman, London Livery Past Masters’
Association.
After an enjoyable lunch guests were presented
with mementoes of their visit. Arnold Currall
presented an engraving of the Guildhall to David
W.Mann. all guests were presented with the
publications of ‘The Institutions and History of
The Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne’ by Robin
Walker, ‘The Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne
and the Town Moor’, by the Stewards
committee, last but not least the icing on the
cake a copy of Issue4 of the Newcastle Freemen
Magazine.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor
In June of this year, a group of
members of the Livery Past
Masters’ Association 1997/98
of the City of London, of
which I am chairman, visited
Newcastle-upon-Tyne together
with their partners. The three-
day programme was a great
success and I would draw your
readers’ attention to the
benefits that can come from
good co-operation between
groups of Freemen from
different cities.
Such co-operation enabled us
to have a very special
programme, which included:
discussions with the Lord
Mayor of Newcastle and the
Mayor of Gateshead; lunch in
Guildhall as guests of the
Hostmen’s Company (with
presentations on the Freemen
of Newcastle as well as the
Guildhall and the Company);
and a dinner in Trinity House
hosted by our organisation
(with distinguished guests
singing for their supper).
We all came away having
learned more about the region
in a very privileged and
personal way. We were
impressed both by the
history/traditions and by what
the region has to offer now.
Most of all we were moved by
the warmth of the reception,
which left us wishing to find
some ways of maintaining the
links that had been formed.
Yours sincerely
David Mann

FREEMEN MAGAZINE 19
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:42 Page 20

Superintendent’s Report
Reflecting back on what was again another disastrous summer, with
prolonged and heavy rainfall that caused localised flooding that had not
been witnessed since the sixties in many small towns and villages across
our region, it also had a big impact on the environmental programmes
that we had in place and were busy working on.
The installation of the Elizabethan Fencing At present staff are occupied with assisting
was postponed, as the ground was water the graziers to decant their cattle from the
logged to a point where the contractors moors to their winter holdings. And again
could not concrete the posts into position. despite the weather we can reflect back on a
The land has since drained and the Fencing successful grazing season.
installation is now complete, and once again
it is heartening to receive so many kind and Winter works tasks include, - hedge row
supportive comments. The weather had also
planting on the Town Moor and Dukes
stalled our reinstatement works to the Race
Moor incorporating rose hip and bramble.
Week Festival site, which was due to start in
The Moor Bank Lodge yard improvements
early July along with our extensive drainage
are a big morale boost for us. We shall also
scheme that we have had drawn up for the
site, as I write the above mentioned works be assisting specialist contractors with the
are just under way, and the Town Moor Staff reinstatement as well as the new drainage
are assisting with these. on the main Town Moor. On going rubbish
clearing from all Moors as fly tipping and
Guild Photographs courtesy of Steve Brock Photography. Tel 0191-
The Hoppings came and enjoyed a relatively less than desirable public behaviour
dry spell and vacated the site leaving continues to bedevil us in this day and age.
minimal reinstatement. The Chinese State We continue to work with the agencies that
Circus had enjoyed a well-attended affair are holding events on the Town Moors over
until a frightful weekend which flooded out the Winter Period.
their Big Top and put paid to the opening on
the penultimate Saturday and making May I take this opportunity to wish all
vacating the site on the subsequent Sunday readers of the magazine a Happy Christmas
evening for them and our staff a night to
2863430. www.Stevebrock.co.uk

and best wishes for the New Year. Also to

remember. Other charity events that were
express my appreciation to the many local
scheduled to take place on the Moors across
residents as well as City Councillors and staff
our “summer” unfortunately had to be
who assist in so many ways.
cancelled but the likes of the Mela and the
Green Festival were fortunate and these
events went according to plan so it Kevin Batey
was not all doom and gloom. Town Moor Superintendent.

20 FREEMEN MAGAZINE
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Stewards Committee
2008/2009
Following their election at Michaelmas Guild the Stewards Committee
were pictured with the Lord Mayor and the Mace and Sword Bearers.

Existing members all stood for re-election with the exception of Derek Lowdon. The Committee
welcomed new member Harry Alder.

T. Carter, Mace Bearer.

F.H. Alder. C.G.
Atkinson. K. Hall. M.
Grey. J. Johnson.
Councillor David Leslie
Wood, Lord Mayor. Sir
Leonard Fenwick,
Chairman. A.
Bainbridge. D. Wilson.
P. Anderson. W.G.
Frizzle. H. Alder. I.F.
Miller. M. Osborne,
Sword Bearer.

New Freemen.
Sworn in 6th
Guild Photographs courtesy of Steve Brock Photography. Tel 0191-

October 2008
Robert, son of
Barry Graham.
Plumber. Harry
Edward Taylor, son
of Richard Michael
Grey. Scrivener.
Jonathan Peter
Lawrence, son of
Peter Lionel Horace
Kent. Master
2863430. www.Stevebrock.co.uk

Mariner. (Freemen
of Trinity House).
James William, son
of David James
Brown. Butcher.

FREEMEN MAGAZINE 21
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Diary dates
Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday 19th January 2009
Christmas Guild, upstairs in the Newcastle
Guildhall (on Quayside, bottom of Dean Street)
Close Court of Guild
(for Company Stewards only) begins at 10am
Open Court of Guild
(for all Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne)
commences at 12 noon prompt, You must be
seated by 12 Noon for the Open Guild in
readiness to receive the Lord Mayor.
The meeting concludes with new Freemen
being called, and if present sworn in by the
Lord Mayor. Following the proceedings a
buffet lunch is served in the Merchant
Adventurers Court.
Monday 20th April 2009
Easter Guild, upstairs in the Newcastle Guildhall
(On Quayside, bottom of Dean Street)
22 FREEMEN MAGAZINE
Page 22
Close Court of Guild
(for Company Stewards only) begins at 10am
Open Court of Guild
(for all Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne)
commences at 12 noon prompt
You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open
Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor.
The meeting concludes with new Freemen
being called, and if present sworn in by the
Lord Mayor. Following the proceedings a
buffet lunch is served in the Merchant
Adventurers Court.
Annual Guild Days.
Christmas Guild - the first Monday after
13th January
Easter Guild - the first Monday after
Easter Monday
Michaelmas Guild - the first Monday after
Michaelmas Monday
Newcastle Gild of Freemen
Monday 8th December 2008
Newcastle Gild of Freemen meeting, upstairs in
the Newcastle Guildhall, starting at 7.30PM
Saturday 13th December
2008
Newcastle Gild of Freemen
Christmas Buffet, upstairs in the
Newcastle Guildhall, starting at
12 noon. Booking forms must be
returned to the Gild Hon.
Treasurer before the 10th
December 2008.
Monday 9th March 2009
Newcastle Gild of Freemen meeting
upstairs in the Newcastle Guildhall,
starting at 7.30pm
Gild Hon Treasurer, Alan Robson
4 Parklands, Hamsterley Mill, Tyne &
Wear, NE39 1HH.
Tel: 01207 543506
email: alan.robson4@lineone.net
2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:42 Page 23

Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne

Superintendent and Office
Mr K. Batey,
Moor Bank Lodge, Claremont Road,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4NL
Tel: 0191 2615970
email: admin@freemenofnewcastle.org
Website: www.freemenofnewcastle.org

Moor Bank Lodge

2 FREEMAN ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 08 21/11/08 14:42 Page 24

The Coat of Arms of the

City of Newcastle upon Tyne

PUBLISHER Cherrington Advertising Limited Tel: 01325 304360 Email: sue@cherrington.onyxnet.co.uk