ISSUE 20

NOVEMBER 2016
 Foreword
As we begin to look
forward to 2017, The
Freemen of the City
can reflect upon with
great pride as to what
5 19 we have achieved in
this year of the 800th
Anniversary celebrating
We can all be truly proud of those who
have gone before us over the Centuries
establishing and sustaining as we do today
both traditional and progressive values in
all that we do as guardians of such a great,
nationally renowned environment that so
positively contributes to the culture and
wellbeing of such a great city.

Contents
Mayoralty and Freemen.
18 Holy Jesus Hospital The respective Trade
Please do not hesitate to let us know where
we can do better and also feedback too in
and Merchant Guild that so predominantly relation to the magazine shall be very much
4 800 Years of Freemen 19 Town Moor Beef? feature on lighting columns right throughout
the city centre thoroughfares have served
appreciated.

to not only raise our profile but prompt

5 Alan Shearer Statue interest and enlightenment as to the scope Sir Leonard Fenwick CBE
of statutory responsibilities we so consistently Chairman of the Stewards Committee
Newcastle 800th Plates exercise as guardians of the Town Moor and
associated environs.

6 Easter Guild
Lord Mayor’s Parade

7 Michaelmas Guild
8 Annual Church Service
Annual Events
9 Keith’s Half Marathon
10 What is a Stint?
11 The Hutch
12 A Visitor’s Tales
14 Superintendent’s Report
16 Trade Guilds
17 Wingrove Allotments
Editorial
As we come to the end of 2016 the
Editorial Group have once again
brought together a range of topics,
both historic and contemporary, in
20 Hoppings 2016 this our 20th Issue. We hope that you
find the articles both entertaining
22 Diary Dates and informative. In the magazine we
can only provide a small insight into a
few of the many and varied aspects
23 Notice Board of the Freemen of Newcastle upon
Tyne, hopefully keeping you in touch
with the Freemen; further information
on Freemen activities can always be
obtained from your Company Stewards
or directly from our office at Moorbank
Lodge (contact details on the back
cover). Although there is no letters
section in the magazine we are happy
to receive letters or emails from readers,
The Coat of Arms of the
just preface your communication with
City of Newcastle upon Tyne ‘Editorial Group’.
Front cover photograph & Guild swearing
Edited by Freemen of Newcastle Upon Tyne Editorial Team

in photographs taken by Steve Brock. The Newcastle Upon Tyne Freemen Magazine, Moor Bank
Lodge, Claremont Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4NL
Official Photographer, Steve Brock Photography.
Copies available from www.stevebrock.co.uk
Tel 01912863430
FreemenMagazine 3
800 Years of
Mayoralty and
Freemen in
Newcastle Upon
Tyne.
Street Banners
To raise awareness of the 800th Anniversary
of the award of the Charter from King John
to the Burgesses (Freemen) of Newcastle, the
Stewards Committee have commissioned
banners showing the armorial bearings of all
the Guilds of Newcastle upon Tyne which are
being displayed in Newcastle City Centre.
The banners contain the Freemen of
Alan Shearer Statue
Newcastle badge and the Armorial Bearings
of the active Guilds, they can be seen in A statue to honour Alan Shearer was unveiled reviewing the area around St James’ Park we
Northumberland Street, Grainger Street and jointly by the Lord Mayor and Alan Shearer on identified the former toilet block on Barrack
Percy Street. 12th September. Road and gave permission for this area the
be used, subsequently Freddie received
The £250.000 statue was commissioned by
Exhibition former NUFC Chairman, Freddie Shepherd,
approval from the City Council to demolish
the toilets and refurbish the area for the plinth.
An exhibition charting 800 years of He had hoped it could be installed within the
Newcastle’s Freemen and Mayoralty, is now curtilage of St James’ Park but the Club were Consequently the 9ft 6ins statue stands
on at the City Library, New Bridge Street. unable to accommodate his request. in a prime position adjacent to the main
Newcastle upon Tyne. It is taking place road next to the stadium where the public
between 3rd October 2016 and 31st January Freddie approached the Freemen of have easy access thanks to the Freemen of
2017. The exhibition, celebrating the one of Newcastle to ask if there was a suitable area Newcastle.
the oldest surviving institutions of Newcastle, within the Town Moors to site the statue, on
an unbroken chain of office dating back to
the times of King John, features items from
the Lord Mayor’s Silver Gallery and the Lord
Mayor’s official residence, the Mansion
Newcastle 800th Plates
House. As part of their celebrations of 800 years
of Mayoralty and Freemen in Newcastle,
Newcastle City Council have produced
Book commemorative plates. The plates were
As a memento of the 800th Anniversary, produced by Chris Aston Ceramics and
local historian John Grundy has compiled come in two sizes. A large 12 inch plate
a special book entitled “John Grundy’s with 22 carat gold edging, and a smaller 7
History of Newcastle” which was launched inch plate. Both plates are bone china and from City Library by calling David Hepworth,
on 21st October at the City Library where it is feature the Civic Crest. Publications Manager on 0191 277 4174.
available at a cost of £10.
There are a very limited number of plates The 12 inch plate retails at £70 and the 7 inch
available to buy to commemorate the plate at £20, post and packaging is included
800 year celebrations – they are available in the price.

4 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 5
Easter Guild 2016
The Easter Guild held on Monday 4th April was
presided over by Lord Mayor Cllr Ian Graham, as
this was the final Guild in his term of office he was
presented with a gift of wine and a Freemen tie
in appreciation for his support of the Freemen of
Newcastle during his time in office.
He then officiated in his final swearing in session
swearing in 8 new freemen:
Katharine Judith O’Shea, Bricklayers. Sarah
Dawn McGill, Coopers. Julie Dawn Rogerson,
Coopers. Steven James Winter, Coopers. Gillian
Ruth Tait, Coopers. Hayleigh Armstrong, House
Carpenters. Thomas Jackson, Plumbers. Rachael
Janet Avery, Taylors.
Michaelmas Guild 2016
Michaelmas Guild was held at on
Monday 10th October.
Michaelmas Close Guild which is
attended by Company Stewards opened
at 10.a.m with prayers taken by Canon
Stephen Harvey, the company roll call
took place followed by the annual
election of the Steward Committee,
there were 14 nominations for the 12
positions, the Company Stewards present
completed the ballot papers, voting for
no less than 9 and no more than 12, the
following 12 stewards being elected. F.H.
Alder: H. Alder: P. Anderson: C.G. Atkinson:
N.B. Atkinson: A.R. Bainbridge:
Sir L.R. Fenwick: K. Hall: J. Johnson:
S. Pashley: P. Powell: H.D. Wilson:
Sir Leonard Fenwick was re-elected as
Chairman: David Wilson was re-elected
as Vice Chairman both unanimously.
Michael Grey was appointed as Honorary
Treasurer.
Michaelmas Open Guild which is open
to all Freemen of Newcastle opened
at 12.15 after a slight delay and was
presided over by Lord Mayor Cllr Hazel
Stephenson, her first of the three Guilds in
the Lord Mayors calendar. The Chairman
addressed the Lord Mayor, the acting
Town Clerk John Softley, and Lord Mayors
Secretary Brenda Joyce. The Lord Mayor
and acting Town Clerk responded. Brenda
Joyce called the names of those claiming
their Freedom, following the close of the
meeting 15 new Freemen were sworn in,
receiving a Freemen badge and history
books from the Freemen of Newcastle in
addition to their oath paper and a gift of
an 800th anniversary badge from the Lord
Mayor.

‘big picnic’ was as part of the Newcastle

Lord Mayor’s
Helen Elizabeth Reed, Butchers: Louise Charlotte Bradley, Coopers: Nicola Newman, House Carpenter:
Fiesta. Evelyn Avery, Joiners: Mark Bowman, Joiners: Sean Barlow, Master Mariners: Sarah Amanda Fife, Ropemakers: Richard
Fullerton, Ropemakers: Rachel Reed, Shipwrights: Mary Porter, Skinner & Glovers: Abigail Jane Carruthers, Tanners: Asher James

Parade
The Lord Mayors Coach had its first outing
since being acquired by the Freemen
of Newcastle in partnership with the
Shepherd family, the coach in all its
splendour was pulled by two coaching
horses arranged by Freddie and Bruce
Shepherd for the Lord Mayors Parade on
7th August 2016, the event billed as the
6 FreemenMagazine
This was the first time most of the public
had seen the coach in a parade and
they couldn’t have been more impressed
as the Lord Mayor waved and children
cheered around the park.
The Lord Mayor Cllr Hazel Stephenson
accompanied by Trevor her husband the
Consort travelled around the Exhibition
Park starting from the former Palace of
the Arts building now home to the Wylam
Carruthers, Tanners: Helen Victoria Wellings, Taylors: Chris James Waugh, Upholterers: Ian Robert Waugh, Upholterers:
Brewery, around the lake then onto the
Moor to view the Fairground on the old
TSE site continuing through the park back
to the brewery.
After the parade the Lord Mayor and her
family were escorted by a member of the
Stewards Committee for an informal tour
of the fairground and the Exhibition Park
which included many activities arranged
by the City Park Life team.
The photograph of the coach with
members of the Stewards Committee with
Bruce and Freddie Shepherd, Consort
and Lord Mayor and City Council Cabinet
Member Cllr Ged Bell.
FreemenMagazine 7
Annual Church
Service
The Freemen’s annual church service at St
Nicholas Cathedral was held on 8th May
2016, commencing with the Lord Mayor and
Freemen walking in procession around the
Cathedral.
This was Lord Mayor Hazel Stephenson’s
first engagement following her election
as Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne in
this the 800th anniversary of the Mayoralty
and Freemen, and fittingly it was one of the
best attended service for many years with
Freemen of Newcastle traveling from far and
near to participate, consequently the limited
number of robes were soon snapped up.
It is hoped that the support shown this year
will continue to increase.
Annual Events courtesy of the
Freemen of Newcastle
In addition to the Hoppings, the Town Moors
host many annual events which take place
due to the assistance of the Freemen of
Newcastle.
The Pride, was once again a successful event
with growing attendance year on year, over
20,000 this year.,The event is held on the Town
Moor on the old Tyneside Summer Exhibition
(TSE) site.
The Mela, A successful event with much
increased attendance compared to the
previous year, in part due to the good
weather which helped to ensure an
enjoyable time for attendees. Organisers
8 FreemenMagazine
have expressed great appreciation to
the Freemen for support in planning and
preparation. It is a very inclusive event
popular with the Asian community with many
travelling from the wider Northern Region. It
is notable that year on year there is greater
diversity of attendees across a wide range of
ethnic groups. The main event is held in the
Exhibition Park with the fairground element
on the Town Moor next to the park on the old
TSE site.
Moscow State Circus, Once again a popular
event on the Town Moor in the Newcastle
calendar.
Keith’s Half Marathon Milestone
Keith Hall (Master Mariner / Colliers
Company) a member of the Stewards
Committee since 1996 and Chairman of the
Town Moor Money Charity since 1994 this
year reached a milestone running in the
Great North Run.
Keith ran his first Great North Run in 1992 and
this year completed his 25th consecutive
Great North Run at the age of 75! Keith
treads the famous route each year to raise
money for motor neurone disease (MND)
after losing his sister-in-law Irene to the
condition six years ago and he is showing no
sign of slowing down. To date he estimates
he has raised in excess of £10,000 for MND
and local cancer charities.
Keith has had the bug ever since completing
his first Great North Run and runs on his own,
he isn’t a member of any running club and
trains by running six miles two to three times
a week. In the fortnight before the race he
runs the full distance of 13.1 miles.
He says the race presents its challenges but
overall he enjoys the experience. “I tend
to start a bit too quickly and the last mile is
Great North Run, with over 57,000 runners.
Readers will be aware of the finish
infrastructure at South Shields but may not be
aware that the Town Moors play a significant
role in the event.
The old TSE is used for 4 days to setup as the
registration point for all runners, Claremont
Road is used as a bus drop off point and
baggage drop the verge houses the
temporary toilets. The bottom of the main
Town Moor houses a helicopter landing pad
which takes the VIP’s from the start line to the
finish at South Shields.
Cancer Research UK –
Race for Life and Pretty Muddy
This is one of the most successful Cancer
Research events in the UK and raises
significant funds for the Charity.
always tough,
but generally
I enjoy it, I
never stop, I
just keep going
at my own
pace. Keith’s
fastest time was
recorded in
2000 at the age
of 59 when he
completed the course in 1hr 39 minutes.
Before the death of his sister-in-law Irene,
Keith used to raise cash for other various
charities including Macmillan Cancer
Support.
Keith’s fundraising has made a real
difference to the charities he supports.
David Hart, Communications Director for
the Great North Run Company recently
added “The loyalty of a growing number of
our runners never ceases to amaze us and
what an amazing feat for Keith to complete
his 25th consecutive run. Many people stop
when they reach their 50’s rather than start!”
Newcastle Military Show
2016 was the third time this show had been
held, each year increasing in popularlty. In
2015 and 2016 the event has been held in
conjunction with the Hoppings, taking place
over the first weekend of the Hoppings.
In addition there are the many fun run events
attracting thousands of runners raising funds
for various charities.
FreemenMagazine 9

What is a stint?
Older Geordies, and possibly younger ones,
will be familiar with the phrase “dinna stint
yersel hinny” translated as “have another
slab of cake, another pint etc.” Stint is an
Old English word and, when used as a noun,
means a limited supply or allotted piece of
work.
When you tell someone that you are a
Freeman of Newcastle they inevitably ask if
you are grazing a cow on the Town Moor. At
one time Freemen did graze their own cattle
on the Moor, bringing them back within the
City Walls at night. Newcastle grew and
became an industrial town and the practice
ceased.
It is essential that cattle continue to graze
the Moor. The Freemen only manage the
Town Moor so long as they exercise their
right to herbage (to graze cattle), otherwise
management reverts to the City Council
which actually owns the Town Moor. This is
all set out in the Newcastle upon Tyne Town
Moor Act 1988 which can be found on the
City Council website on in the library.
Grazing rights are let to farmers. The Stewards’
Committee (formerly known as the Herbage
10 FreemenMaga-
Committee) decides how many cattle can
graze on the Moor each year. Farmers
apply to the Stewards Committee and are
allocated places. The farmers pay rent to the
Stewards Committee and cattle graze on the
Moor from March to October.
The number of cattle is limited in any year by
the area availablle for grazing and the state
of the Moor, hence the use of the word stint.
The rent from grazing one cow is known as
a stint. As Freemen and widows of Freemen
living within Newcastle were historically able
to graze their cattle on the Moor then the stint
money is paid to them.
Stints are now paid annually to Freemen and
widows and widowers of Freemen living in
Newcastle (within the City boundaries). A
ballot is held in the Guildhall in April to decide
on the allocation. As there are generally
more cattle than applicants, everyone gets
at least one stint; generally two or three. In
recent years applicants have received £30
to £45.
New Freemen living within the City are
automatically entered on the stint list when
they are sworn in. If however you lived
outside Newcastle but have moved into the
City you should contact the Freemen’s office
at Moor Bank Lodge (details on the back of
the magazine) to claim your stints.
The Hutch -
an extract from Reid’s
Handbook to Newcastle upon
Tyne by J Collingwood Bruce in
1863
Formerly all the offices of the Corporation were
concentrated in the Guildhall and amongst
them that of the treasurer, which was on the
ground floor. Before banks existed a strong
treasure box called a Hutch was provided, into
which the town dues were put as they were
received.  By a natural process of thought the
term Hutch was extended to the place where
the business of the treasurer was transacted
and to the treasurer himself.
Judy Dowling, Laing Art Gallery
The identical chest, long in use at the Guildhall
is now in the Treasurer’s office in the new Town
Hall.  It is a curious relic of a state of things long
past, being probably about 400 years old. 
There is a hole in the lid to admit the money
and it is provided with eight locks.  The Mayor
kept the key of one and seven chamberlains
the others, so that it could only be opened in
the presence, or with the consent of, all the
eight persons.
During business hours two chamberlains sat,
day after day, one each side of the Hutch. 
They counted the money which the Treasurer
received and saw him duly drop the cash Hutch, Newcastle Libraries
into the chest.  At certain times the Hutch was
opened, the money counted and the requisite
payments made.  In the new office of the Judy Downey’s death is immortalised in a
Town Treasurer there is a picture which gives verse of The Newcassel Props by William
us a glimpse into the state of manners half a Oliver.
century ago.  It is a portrait of “Old Judy”, the
messenger to the Hutch,  Judith Dowlings was But when maw lugs was lectrified
in truth the guardian of the Hutch.  With that Wiv Judy Downey’s deeth,
stick of hers, which she was nothing loth to use, Alang wi’ Heufy Scott aw cried,
she kept at bay all whom she conceived had Till byeth was out o’ breeth;
no right to come there.  Some shoulders still For greet and sma, fishwives an’ a’,
ached at the thought of her! Luik’d up tiv her wi’ veneration –
If Judy’s in the Courts above,
As Judy Downey her death is immortalised in a
Then for au’d Nick there’ll be ne casion
verse of The Newcassel Props by William Oliver.
The earliest date we’ve found for this ballad in
1827, which puts Old Judy’s demise prior to that The Hutch is on permanent display at the
date. Discovery Museum in the Newcastle Story
gallery on the ground floor.
FreemenMagazine 11
A Visitor’s Tales
Ethel was a wee widow in her eighties
who claimed to weigh “six stones
dripping wet”.  On one trip the coach
driver and I were helping people off the
coach and Ethel took hold of our hands
and launched herself off the top step
with a cry of “Geronimo” and floated
down to earth.
For years she had cashed her charity
cheques at the corner shop but the
government got wind of old ladies like
her money-laundering and decreed that
her cheques must go into her personal
bank account.  Sure enough, Sunday
when she sorted out her problems, she
rang me saying “it’s got Lloyds on my
cheque, do I have to take it to Lloyds
Bank?”  I explained that she could go to
any bank she wished and got the reply
“I’ve never been in a bank before.”  I
took the hint and agreed to call on
Wednesday and take her to a bank.
However on Wednesday her bingo pal
rang me early to say that Ethel was
ill and could not move without pain.  On one outing, faced with a plateful
When I called she was a sorry sight as
they waited for the doctor.  I took her
cheque, pension book and rent book
and opened up an account for her.  discuss the funeral, could I come then?  bereavement and reminded me about
In the afternoon I returned with her
passbook and she seemed quite chirpy,
so I asked what the doctor had done to
make such an improvement and was
told that she had advised Ethel to take it
easy in future and remember her age!
Apparently as it was fifty years since
the end of the war there had been a
party on in her tower block the previous
evening and Ethel had been doing the
Hokey-cokey putting her left leg out
and then her right etc. and shaking it all
about!  I shook my head in disbelief and
she winked saying that they had had a
right good night!
12 FreemenMagazine
One windy day when I called on her,
she asked what it was like outside and
I said that it was much too windy for
to venture out as I had had trouble
keeping my feet.  She replied “I know,
many is the time that I have bought half
a stone of tatties that I didn’t need, just
to make sure I didn’t get blown away!”
of fish and chips and mushy peas,
she summoned me over to ask how I
expected her to eat it when the fish
was bigger than her! Another Sunday
afternoon the phone rang and it was
Ethel who said that she was feeling
miserable.  I queried what she expected
me to do about it but she continued
with “Av gettin one of those will forms
from the Post Office and the more I look
at it, the more I know I’m going to make
a mess of it.”  Again I took the hint and
agreed to call to help. Being a childless
widow with no nieces or nephews
the will was straightforward.  Her two
bingo pals were to have their choice of
keepsakes from the flat and everything
else was to go to the MacMillan Nurses. 
Problem was that we could not find an
address for the nurses and looked under
Hospice in the phone book to see if it
was there – alas in vain.  However she
said that the Hospice would do instead
because it was for cancer which had
killed her husband and her father.  So
that was settled apart from executor,
which I anticipated would be me but
was relieved when she nominated one
of her bingo pals.
A year or two later one of her pals rang
me to say that Ethel had died and the
undertaker was coming on Saturday to
When I got there the two beneficiaries
were there and one gently handed me
a red tin box saying “Everything is in
there.”  I opened it to find, not Ethel,  but
pension book, will etc. and I explained
that I was not the executor – only to
be told that Ethel had told them that if
anything happened to her, I would deal
with everything!  A bank withdrawal
of £1,000 had been made about the
time we had written the will and this
had been for a funeral plan.  A little
blue book showed weekly payments
of £2 being made to her “ticket man”
and apparently she had been going to
him ever since her marriage– first to the
grandfather, then the father and finally
the son.  There was about £2,000 in her
bank passbook getting 3% interest and
yet she had happily borrowed £60 from
her ticket man paying him 20% interest
instead!
Once the funeral was over I naively
thought that that was that but I was
bombarded with raffle tickets and
begging letters from the Hospice.  Finally
three weeks later an American lady rang
me to ask how I was managing after my
Ethel.  I pointed out that she was just one
of many people that I visited and she
said “Gee, can I call and have a talk with
you?”  It turned out that she wanted me
to be an “introducer” and to supply her
with likely addresses, there would be no
sales involved, she would do that, and
if successful I would get £50! (deviously
from the old person’s family)   I declined
but realised that the undertaker that Ethel
had chosen had pocketed £50 as well as
his profit from the funeral!
I’ll never forget Ethel.
FreemenMagazine 13

Superintendent’s
Report
It was another cold damp start to our grazing
season this Spring which resulted in a slow
build-up of cattle on the Town Moors. Our
Grazier’s were selective with their cattle
putting the bigger hairier beasts out first
and as the weather warmed, and the grass
really started to grow, the smaller thinner
skinned heifers were brought on to increase
the numbers. Our fertiliser programme
was delayed but by the 3rd week in April
the dressing was applied. As the year has
progressed it has proved to be an excellent
season in general for grass growth with the
swards on all moors carrying the cattle right
through to the end of our season with ease.
As we moved into early May our working
attentions and agenda turned to the
marking out of the fairground site for our
annual visit of Europe’s largest travelling
Fun Fair known locally as the Hoppings.
The event swallows up almost all of our
working hours over a two and a half months
period, only when we are well on top of
our site preparations do the staff nip away
to try and keep up to date with the grass
cutting programme that we have in place
for Forsyth Road Playing fields, Little Moor
Boundary, Grandstand road verges and
then to Walter Terrace recreation ground.
Not all can be done at once but we do try
to keep on top of these works. This year the
Hoppings vacated the Moor on the 29th
of June leaving only 6 working days for the
14 FreemenMagazine
site clearance to be completed by the City
Council as the Cancer Research Race for
Life took over the site for their Pretty Muddy
event which took place on the 9th of July
with the Main Race event taking place on
Sunday the 10th. The de-rigging of the event
had to be completed by Monday the 11th
to enable the Northern Pride to commence
work on the same site for their annual event.
On the 16th of July each year our grass
topping programme begins, the date is in
line with the end of the ground nesting bird
season. We have a very healthy population
of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits on the
Town Moor and signs that English Grey
Partridge may be returning, so we follow the
guidelines that hopefully give these birds
all the help they need to flourish within our
environment. 700 acres of our grazing land
requires pasture topping; cutting at this time
encourages a second flush of good grass
to grow which will in turn carry the grazing
animal into the final days of our season.
During August we carried out some drainage
works on Nuns Moor North as there was
ponding occurring that was not safe for
man nor beast. After a day of investigatory
work we found some field drains that had
become silted up and some collapsed;
repairs to the system were carried out to
allow the area to drain; a couple of months
on and all is looking well.
Our other environmental programme, which
is on-going at the former Brighton Grove
Nuns Moor Allotment site, is now entering
into its final stage of site clearance works. A
final surface pick is required along with some
boundary grading work once these tasks
have been carried out Ricky Alder and I will
be meeting with our contractor to determine
if the site is ready to hand back to us.
The Stewards Committee employed the
services of Steve Haddon from Ryal Ecology
Services to carry out soil testing across the
whole of the site. Two analyses were carried
out, one for a grazing pasture and the
other for root vegetables. Both reports are
important in enabling us to determine where
we need to go with phase 2 of the works
relating to this site.
As we move into autumn our staff will
be busy assisting the Graziers with the
removal of their cattle, at present both the
Dukes Moor and Hunters Moor have been
vacated.
Hunters Moor was emptied of cattle at
the beginning of August as the Stewards
Committee received a request from St Mary
Magdalene & Holy Jesus Trust regarding
access for their new housing complex. Mr
Chris Siswick our grazier on this parcel of
Town Moor was informed of the request
and he agreed to remove the 19 cattle
that were grazing. The cattle were taken
to Dukes Moor where Mr Siswick shared the
grazing with his good friend Paul Henderson
for a few weeks until it was time for the
cattle to be removed and sold. The Holy
Jesus bungalows are being demolished
and replaced with ultra-modern living I will update you on our environmental works
accommodation; the contractors need programmes that we have lined up as part
access across Hunters Moor to enter the site of our winter works programme in the next
and permission was granted by the Stewards issue.
Committee so that a temporary road could
be laid over Hunters Moor giving access to Kevin Batey
the Holy Jesus site. Town Moor Superintendent.
FreemenMagazine 15

Newcastle Upon
Tyne Trade Guilds:
Information from
British History online
PLUMBERS, PEWTERERS,
AND GLAZIERS.
The ordinary of this
society, anciently
consisting of Goldsmiths,
Plumbers, Glaziers,
Pewterers, and Painters, and
dated September 1, 1536, enjoined
them to go together on the feast of
Corpus Christi, and maintain their play
of “The Three Kings of Coleyn;” to have
four wardens, one Goldsmith, one
Plumber, one Glazier, and one Pewterer
or Painter; to be sworn on admission
not to interfere with each other’s
occupation; that no Scotsman born
should be taken apprentice, or suffered
to work in Newcastle, on pain of
forfeiting 3s. 4d. one half of which to go
to the upholding of Tyne Bridge, and the
other to the society. Among other orders
in the old books of the society, the
following occurs: “September 7, 1730, no
brother to lend his diamond, except to
a free brother of this company, on pain
of forfeiting 6s. 8d.” This society, which
consisted at the ime of 50 members,
held their meetings in Morden Tower.
CORDWAINERS
The company of
Cordwainers was
incorporated in the 17th
King Henry VI. as appears
16 FreemenMagazine
from a board hung in their hall, having
their arms on it, and under them
the following inscription:—”Compy
Cordwainers incorporated 17th K. Henry
VI. confirmed by K. Philip and Q. Mary,
reconfirmed by Q. Eliz. & lastly by King
James 1st.” The ordinary of this society is
signed by 31 brethren, dated December
17, 1566; mentions their meeting-house
in the lately dissolved monastry of Black
Friars; enjoins that every apprentice
should serve ten years, five of which to
be expired before a second could be
taken; and that foreigners might be
admitted into the company on payment
of £5, one half to go to the fellowship,
and the other to the reparation of Tyne
Bridge. The society, in 1690, met on
the head-meeting day, on Forth Hill.
This custom ceased on their repairing
their late hall, at the foot of the Old
Flesh Market. They obtained the first
lease of this building, then called “The
House of Charitie,” of the corporation of
Newcastle, A. D. 1668.
The company is in possession of a grant
from the common council, dated June
2, 1617, stating that, “divers persons, for
years, under colour of exercising the
trade of a cobler, who should only mend
old shoes that are brought to them to
be mended, do buy great numbers of
old shoes mended and made fit to be
worn at London and elsewhere, and
cause them to be brought to Newcastle
upon Tyne, and in the coblers’ houses,
and in the market within the said town,
sell them to the best advantage,
whereby the fraternity of Cordwainers
of Newcastle aforesaid is much
impoverished.” The common council
then proceeds to empower the stewards
to fine the aforesaid “coblers,” for the
preservation of their “antient customs,
rights, and privileges.”
About the years 1712 and 1728, the
brethren of the company appear to
have been in the practice of several of
them joining together, as “Sharers,” in
purchasing their leather, and dividing
it afterwards; as appears by an old
book, entitled, “The Company’s Sharers’
Book.”
In 1748, the company allowed twelve
persons, by a grant from them, called
the “Coblers’ Bond,” to follow the trade
of coblers, “so long as they quarterly
pay to the said company sixpence a
piece,” and also to follow the trade,
“save only in a bulk.”
When the Cordwainers’ old hall, near
St. Nicholas’ church, was pulled down
by order of the corporation, that body
voted the sum of £200 to the company,
as an equivalent. Their present meeting-
house, or hall, and leather-market, in
the High Bridge, were in consequence
built, and in which they held their first
meeting on August 25, 1794. It is a neat,
plain stone building. A stone in the front
contains the following inscription:-
“This hall and leather warehouse were
built at the expense of the company
of Cordwainers, Anno Domini 1794.
William Yielder, Esq. mayor; Henry
Joseph Hounson, Esq. sheriff. John
Tallintyre, John Ratcliffe, stewards.
Building committee, Benj. Brunton, Jon.
Stevenson, Robt. Widdrington, Thomas
Fenton, Robt. Young, William Burn.”
This company has always firmly opposed
the encroachments of power. A large
board, hung in their hall, commemorates
the decision obtained against the
magistrates on August 10, 1773, to show
posterity “that oppression’s iron hand
ought ever to be legally resisted.” From
the year 1566, to July, 1825, there were
530 persons admitted to the freedom of
this company. The number of members
at the time was 92; and the annual
income of the company was £220.
Wingrove Allotments
As reported in the last issue the allotments
on Nuns Moor south had over a period
of time descended into a deplorable
state despite encouragement from the
Freemen of Newcastle to improve and
adhere to the terms of their lease. With
the allotment society’s agreement they
vacated the site to allow clearance,
the plan being to reduce the size of
the site and allow a much smaller
model allotment site to be established,
unfortunately circumstances necessitated
a change to the plan.
We employed a specialist contractor to
clear the site of the hundreds of tons of
material which had been brought onto
the site over decades at a cost to the
Freemen of Newcastle of £150,000.
After 10 months work we were able to
access the site and carry out soil sampling
tests, the report from the specialist was to
say the least very disturbing showing a
high level of contamination and reporting
that as a consequence the site was
unfit for growing root crops for human
consumption.
The cost to remove such contamination
is far beyond our remit, we are working
with the analyst to ascertain what work
is necessary to ensure that the ground
is suitable to be returned to grazing ,
something which at this time looks a long
way off.
FreemenMagazine 17
Visit to Holy
Jesus Hospital
In April a group of Freemen (mostly
Shipwrights) had a tour of the Holy Jesus
Hospital on City Road Newcastle.
The building was of course an almshouse
for Freemen and their dependants but
the site has had a number of uses over
the years. In the late 13th century,
it was occupied by an Augustine
Priory. Following the dissolution of the
monasteries in 1539, the Friary buildings
were used by Henry VIII’s Council of the
North and known as the King’s Manor. A
tower was built and that is still standing as
are some remnants of the Friary.
By 1648 the building belonged to
Newcastle Corporation which of course
comprised Freemen and in 1682 it was
rebuilt and opened as an almshouse
for poor Freemen and later for their
dependants. In 1880 a soup kitchen for
the deserving poor was added.
In the 20th century the Freemen moved
out and the building was used by
commercial concerns and later as the
George John Joicey Museum. It narrowly
avoided demolition when the Pilgrim
Street roundabout was built in the 1960s.
The Museum moved out in the 1990s and
the building was again empty.
The National Trust leased the building in
2000 and it was restored again in 2003.
They used it for a community project but
that wasn’t viable so it now houses their
regional offices. Although the building
has been open to the public in the past
it now only opens on occasions such as
Heritage Open Days.
We were able to arrange a visit lasting
around an hour and a member of the
National Trust staff acted as a guide.
18 FreemenMagazine
The buildings are in good condition
despite the traffic thundering past on
the motorway. The Almshouse rooms
are intact and must have provided more
space for one person than was usual in
the 17h century. It was fascinating to see
where some of our ancestors lived and
died.
It is a shame that the building is not open
on a regular basis but it is separated from
the rest of the City’s medieval heritage
by the central motorway, however that
provides an interesting juxtaposition of the
historic and the modern.
Town Moor Beef?
Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah shares her vision for city centre cattle
Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah took a welcome
break away from the current political turmoil
to spend time enjoying the peace of the Town
Moor.
The Labour politician was keen to learn more
about the prime green haven in the heart of the
city centre and took up an invitation from the
Freemen of Newcastle to have a guided tour.
The MP for Newcastle Central, whose
constituency includes the Town Moor, was
interested in learning about the side of the
public space that people rarely get to see.
And she had an idea about how it - and the
quality of the cattle which graze there - could
be showcased; saying she would like to see the
promotion of “Town Moor beef”.
“I have a personal mission to introduce Toon
Beef to the market,” she said.
Ms Onwurah heard from Town Moor
Superintendent Kevin Batey about its year-
round range of uses - including the current Pride
and recent Hoppings - and about its upkeep.
Joining them was Ponteland farmer Ricky Alder
from the Stewards Committee of Freemen and
the only Freeman to exercise his right to graze
cattle on the Moor.
Ms Onwurah also got up close and personal
with some of Ricky’s Aberdeen Angus and
Belgian Blue which are currently wandering
Nun’s Moor South and are among a total of
550 cattle grazing the Moor each year.
Since becoming an MP in 2010, locally-born Ms
Onwurah said she has been told regularly by
residents how much they value the city’s green
heartland which is actually made up of eight
moors covering 1,000 acres.
Occasionally she answers concerns or
questions raised by them over its use or
condition, she said, and she wants more
people to know about what she calls a
“precious asset”.
“I love the Town Moor; it’s something I’ve
grown up with,” she added.
“In my maiden speech in 2010 I remember I
said something about cows grazing grass in
the centre of Newcastle and local grass roots
politics - and people laughed.”
Ms Onwurah said: “I wanted to know more
about how it’s kept and maintained and how
the cows use it. It’s nice to have a feeling for
the work that goes on here.”
From the end of March to the end of October
each year, nine different farmers graze animals
on the Moor which can take up to 800 cattle.
The ‘old’ grass is proper pasture and its quality
closely monitored.
FreemenMagazine 19
 This is the sixth year the Freemen of
Hoppings 2016 Newcastle have organised the Hopping fair The Freemen of
in partnership with the City Council which
procures a large part of the infrastructure, all
of the administration being carried out from
Newcastle shop is open
our office at Moor Bank Lodge; although
planning is ongoing throughout the year Freemen of Newcastle upon
work starts in earnest from February through Tyne pin badges are available
to July. now. The 16mm badge depicts
2016 proved to be one of the best displays the armorial bearings of the
the fairground industry has to offer, which, City circled by the inscription
combined with good weather, contributed “Freemen of the City of
to a very successful event. Newcastle upon Tyne”.
We had many compliments on the varied
aspects of such a large event starting with The ever popular multi crested
the opening ceremony which was described silk ties are back in stock.
as the best fairground opening seen in the
UK, including the Lord Mayor Cllr Hazel
Stephenson riding on a ‘Frog ride’ with the And new for the ladies - 25mm Charm,
Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Band, a first for Necklaces are also available complete
the fairground industry, raising great online on a 60mm chain, both depict the
interest with 80,000 online views within 24 armorial bearings of the City circled by
hours.
the inscription “Freemen of the City of
Prior to the opening of the event we assisted Newcastle upon Tyne”.
the Showmen who organised a sports day
for the families of the showmen which was
billed as the ‘Olympics’. A large turnout Orders to Kevin
enjoyed a fun filled day raising £2000 for the Batey Town Moor
Great North Children’s Hospital, the cheque Superintendent
was presented to Sir Leonard Fenwick by at Moozr Bank
the organisers Showmen Frankie Smith Jnr Lodge, payment
and Asa Ashcroft. Sports days have been
a feature of the Hoppings before; prior to with order by
World War II a sports day for local school cheque payable
children was held on the morning of the first to ‘Freemen of
Saturday of the Fair, the main activities being Newcastle upon
running races.
Tyne’ - the address can be found at the
Running over the Saturday and Sunday of rear of the magazine.
first weekend the Newcastle Military Show
took place. This event had moved this year Ties - £27.00
to a new position at the north east corner of Pin Badge - £3.00
the site facing Great North Rd which proved
Stick Pin Badge - £4.00
to be a huge success.
Charm - £6.00
The main event ran over 9 days, closing at
11.00pm on Saturday 25th June when the Necklace - £7.00
exodus of over 1000 support vehicles, 400
living vans and 300+ attractions began, the
last vacating the site on Wednesday 29th
June. Site clearance and reinstatement
continued over the following few weeks to
ensure the turf was once again fit for grazing.

20 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 21
 Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne
Diary Dates Annual Church Parade
Sunday 7th May 2017
Notice Board
Held in the Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas.
Robing in the Cathedral Refectory at
Christmas Guild 9.30a.m. for commencement of parade Bereavements Company Notices
Monday 16th January 2017 into the Cathedral at 9.45 a.m. with the Lord
Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne. William Sexton Blake The Head Meeting
Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on
All Newcastle upon Tyne Freemen are of the Tanners Guild
Quayside, bottom of Dean Street)
welcome. Plumbers
Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards
Should you need to borrow a robe there will will be held at the
only) begins at 10.00 am. Ellen Hall Freemen’s Hall,
be a small quantity available on the day.
Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of Master Mariners
To assist on the day, parking will be available Blackfriars, Friars Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12
at Moor Bank Lodge and transport at Newcastle upon Tyne, on Monday
noon prompt.
9:00am to and from the Cathedral will be John Alexander Foggin
You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open
provided. 5th December, commencing at
Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. Taylors
6.45pm. Members are requested
The meeting concludes with new Freemen
being called, and if present being sworn in Hoppings Fair Brenda Sparham to inform the secretary of
by the Lord Mayor. Friday 16th – 24th June. Tanners their attendance via email:
Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is tannersguild@mail.com or
served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. Michaelmas Guild Peggy Inglis Tel: 07988533855
Monday 9th October 2017 Shipwrights
Easter Guild
Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on
Monday 24th April 2017 Quayside, bottom of Dean Street) Peggy Whitehead
Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards Upholsterers
Quayside, bottom of Dean Street) only) begins at 10.00 am. At this particular
Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards meeting the Stewards Committee is Alan Thompson Alderson
only) begins at 10.30 am. democratically elected via ballot for the Plumbers. Past Hon Treasurer
Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of ensuing year.
and Chairman of the Freemen
Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12 Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of
noon prompt. Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12 of Newcastle
You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open noon prompt.
Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor.
The meeting concludes with new Freemen
You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open
Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. New Stewards
being called, and if present being sworn in The meeting concludes with new Freemen
by the Lord Mayor. being called, and if present being sworn in Gary Annan
Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is by the Lord Mayor. Tanners
served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is
served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. Stephen David Mills
Josephine Smith
Skinners

Ronald Elliot
Liz Appleby
Annual Guild Days Cordwainers
Christmas Guild - the first Monday after 13th January Timothy Cooper
Easter Guild - the first Monday after Easter Monday Millers
Michaelmas Guild - the first Monday after Michaelmas Monday

22 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 23
 Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne
Superintendent and Office
Mr Kevin Batey,
Moor Bank Lodge, Claremont Road,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4NL
Tel: 0191 2615970
Email: admin@freemenofnewcastle.org
Website: www.freemenofnewcastle.org

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freemenofnewcastle

COPYRIGHT: Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne.

PUBLISHER: Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith
Tel: 01325 304360 Email: sue.riney@btinternet.com