ISSUE 17

FEBRUARY 2015
 Contents
Foreword
In the second 4 Exhibition Park
decade of the
2lst Century,
the Freemen of
5 Nunsmoor Allotments
the City have a
most pivotal role
and inherent
6 Michaelmas &
responsibilities, Christmas Guild
greater in scope
and challenge
than when in l774, the transition 8 Lord Mayor’s Coach
was fully realised by the Trade
The Coat of Arms of the and Merchant Guilds to grasp the
nettle of ensuring the Town Moors
9 Summer Social Event
City of Newcastle upon Tyne remained as an environmental
asset with the traditional rights of 10 Moor Bank Lodge
‘air and exercise’ for the public
at large secured in perpetuity via Shipwrights Annual
Act of Parliament. The vision and
commitments since those times has Outing
not only been sustained but more
clearly defined in respect of duty
ISSUE 17
FEBRUARY 2015
of care and effective partnership 11 North Eastern Cross
working with Newcastle City Council. Country Championships
We continue to blend traditional
values with a progressive 12 Stewards Committee
engagement, in all that we do.
Whilst we may not please everyone News
all of the time the confidence
installed as a consequence of our
overriding objectives provides the
13 Stints
very bedrock of all that we do, some
of which is reflected upon via this
Edition of the Magazine.
14 Trade Guilds History
We champion and are proud of 16 Superintendent’s Report
what is being achieved for not
only our City but the North East of
England in all that we do. 18 Diary Dates
Front cover photograph: Moor Bank Lodge Garden. Sir Leonard Fenwick CBE Edited by
Chairman, Stewards Committee Freemen of Newcastle Upon Tyne Editorial Team
Guild swearing in photographs taken by Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Freemen Magazine,
Official Photographer , Steve Brock Photography.
Moor Bank Lodge, Claremont Road,
Copies available from www.stevebrock.co.uk Tel 01912863430 Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4NL

FreemenMagazine 3
Editorial Nunsmoor Allotments
Welcome to 2015 and Issue 17 of our Magazine which kicks Nunsmoor Allotments is one of the Freemen’s large portfolio of
Allotments sites with the Freemen being the largest provider
off a busy year for the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne. of Allotment sites in the City other than the City Council. The
It is heartening to hear that so many readers look forward to reading our magazine and Nuns Moor site occupies a large 12.58 acre expanse situated
hearing about the work and activities of the Freemen of the City. 2014 was an eventful year at the junction of Barrack Road and Brighton Grove (diagonally
with ever increasing requests for use of the Town Moors, an asset which we continue to opposite the BBC Newcastle studios).
cherish and protect with values and tradition which the Freemen hold dear. We do hope you
enjoy the content of this issue which includes the first of some abstracts of the history of the
various Guilds of Newcastle and an insight into our stewardship of the Town Moors. These allotments are ‘War
Time Allotments’; they were
Thanks go to Nick Atkinson who kindly edited the previous issue, Due to work commitments set up as a TEMPORARY
Nick has decided to step down as Editor although he will continue to serve on the Stewards facility during the War years to
Committee. enable people to grow their
own food. It would appear
As always we do rely on Company Stewards and Freemen alike to keep us informed of any that this was overlooked
address or changes or in circumstance, please let us know via email to over the years and the site
admin@freemenofnewcastle.org or to the address at the back of this publication. was not returned to grazing
following the end of the
War – an important lesson for
the Freemen (in particular
Exhibition Park
the Stewards Committee)
to always be vigilant and
proactively manage the
The £3 Million renovation of Exhibition Park is now completed. During the major leases on sites on the Town
Moor. As an Allotments site
elements of renovation, annual events were in danger of cancellation until the this area of the Town Moor
Freemen answered the call for help by making the former Tyneside Summer
is not available for grazing
Exhibition site available for two important local events. and is closed to the general
public for the right of air
The first being the Northern Pride event The second being the Mela, a free event
and exercise, this is always
which was held on Saturday 19th July & based around Pakistani, Bengali, Indian
something that today’s
Sunday 20th July 2014 commencing on and other South Asian cultures which is Steward Committee are very
the Saturday the Northern Frontrunners 5K open to anyone who wants to learn more conscious of when reviewing
run plus some main stage entertainment, about Asian cultures and be entertained and considering the
and with a Parade from the Civic Centre with a chance to meet new people as well appropriateness of leases.
at 12noon arriving at the Town Moor then as enjoy different music, art and food in
continuing till 6pm, the event continued on Newcastle, the event was held on 24th and Over a period of years the
the Sunday. 25th August. The organisers went out of their condition of the Nuns Moor
way to thank the Freemen of Newcastle for site became more and more
their support. dilapidated with a good
number of the allotments
failing to comply with the
terms of the lease especially
in respect of structures
and fences plus a range of
materials that should not
be on site. Despite many
warnings to the Association
there was no improvement
in the situation. Eventually
because of manifest
dilapidation the Stewards
Committee reduced the term
of the lease on the site from
4 FreemenMagazine
seven years to one year with
the warning that if things did
not improve the lease would
not be renewed – this was
several years ago!
The Stewards Committee
continued to monitor the
situation and conducted
Allotments Association with
regular inspections of the
the outcome being that a
site; despite pressing the
fresh start is required for the
Association Committee
site. The two primary options
to improve the site and
for the new start were:
ensure compliance with the
lease there has been no
significant improvement. A
• Return the area to
new Association Committee
was put in place and they
grazing and make the
land available to the
tried over several years to
public for rights of air and
rectify the situation – in fact
exercise. This would also
things got worse with many
significantly enhance the
instances of vandalism and
vista on one of the main
criminal damage. As part of
routes in and out of
the attempted improvements
the City.
the association £16,000 was
spent on the installation of a
• Clear the site and
new water supply system for
create a remodelled set
the site – within a short period
of allotments which
of time the entire new system
reflects current allotments
was vandalised and rendered
needs and best practice
unusable.
and which is in
compliance with the
Eventually in 2013, with no
lease.
improvement the Stewards
Committee, with due regard
to their duty of care for all Further to discussion at Guild
areas of the Town Moor, it has been determined that
decided that they could not the site will be cleared and
renew the lease for this site. a reduced size site will be
Since then the Allotments set up as allotments with the
Association Committee remainder of the site being
have applied their best opened up to public access
endeavours to rectify the and returned to grazing.
issues, however this has not This is a major undertaking
worked out. Discussions were which will be managed and
held with Newcastle City underwritten by the Freemen.
Officers, Councillors and the
FreemenMagazine 5
 Michaelmas Guild 13th October 2014
Michaelmas Guild was held on 13th October 2014 in the Guildhall Newcastle
upon Tyne.

The Close Guild started at 10am with prayers
taken by Canon Kevin Hunt, then following
the company roll call the election of the
Stewards Committee took place. There were
13 applicants and the Company Stewards
present completed the ballot paper voting
for no less than 9 and no more than 12, the
following being elected.
F.H. Alder: H. Alder: P. Anderson: C.G.
Atkinson: N.B. Atkinson: A.R. Bainbridge: Sir
L.R. Fenwick: W.G. Frizzle: K. Hall: J. Johnson:
I.F. Miller: H.D.Wilson: Sir Leonard Fenwick
was re-elected as Chairman: David Wilson
was re-elected as Vice Chairman, both
Michaelmas Guild 2014
unanimously.
Christmas Guild 2015 The Close Guild finished at 11.45am, coffee
was served prior to the Stewards and
Freemen assembling at 12pm in readiness
for Councillor George Pattison Lord Mayor to
take his seat for the Open Guild, At the end
of the proceedings the calling of the names
by the Lord Mayor Principal Secretary Ian
Humphries, of those claiming their right to be
sworn in, the Guild was closed and the lord
Mayor presided over the swearing in of 17
new Freemen.
Judith Barbara Barber; Bakers & Brewers:
Frances Ruth Nixon; Coopers: Helen Nixon;
Coopers: Louise Clark; Cordwainers: Ronald
Blackburn; Shipwright: Sarah Elizabeth
McAlpine; Cordwainers: Sarah Clare West;
Butchers: Euan Patrick Stenhouse; Master
Mariners: Peter John Edward Gibson;
Bricklayers: Gillian Sarah Baty; Cordwainers:
Debra Churchill; House Carpenters: David
Bowman; Joiners: Deborah Joan Hall;
Shipwrights: Margaret Storey; Tanners: Robert
Graeme Bell; Smiths: Emma Green; Taylors:
Laura Jane Irving; Bricklayers.

Christmas Guild 19th January 2015

At the close of the Open Guild, the following were sworn in by Councillor George
Pattison Lord Mayor.

Adam Irvine, Bricklayer: Janice Charlton, Butcher: John Dryden, Butcher: Elizabeth Ena
Garry, Cordwainer: Mandy Turnbull, Cordwainer: Christopher Edward Sample, House
Carpenters: Richard Alan Sample, House Carpenters: Charlotte Blacklock, Tanners:
Brenda Patricia Sparham, Tanners.

6 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 7

Newcastle upon Tyne
Lord Mayor’s Coach
Since the joint purchase of the Lord Mayor’s
coach by the Freemen of Newcastle and Shepard
Offshore (Freddy and Bruce Shepard) the coach
has remained in the care of the City Council at the
Mansion House in Jesmond. Freddy leased and
over the past months renovated the Palace of Arts
building in Exhibition Park to display a collection of
motor vehicles and carriages including the jointly
owned Lord Mayor’s Coach, which was welcomed
to the building by Sir Leonard and Freddy.
Sir Leonard in this regard explained: “The Freemen of
Newcastle have been around a long time and have
guarded the Town Moor.
“It’s great that the carriage is now on the Town Moor and
is available at any time for the Lord Mayors.
“All in all It’s a privilege that the Lord Mayor’s Carriage
remains in Newcastle upon Tyne.”
8 FreemenMagazine
Summer
Social
Event
Summer Event was
held on 3rd August
2014 and once
again a resounding
success especially
considering it
is organised by
one person Alan
Bainbridge, the Town
Moor Superintendent
Kevin Batey assists
with the setup and a good many of those attending. John could meet up with others and talk about
help on the day by
Alan’s family and
who is the lead person for Creepy Crawlies
later explained that his mother passed
all manner of concerns, with distractions to
keep the conversation fresh and have an
family friend. Alan away very suddenly. but due to the enjoyable time doing it. There have been
circumstances communication was difficult. various suggestions over the years which I
said...
I have on behalf of The Freemen given our have resisted, from introducing things for
condolences. children to do, to getting star performers
in for the adults. Although children are
“The weather is always The whole event went well with the various welcome this is first and foremost an event
a concern when side attractions creating lots of interest and for Freemen and the entertainment is aimed
organising an outdoor stimulating conversation, from the Drug Dogs at adults with suitable coverage for the
event, as those who to the Marching Band. My thanks go to all children.
attended the 2014 concerned.
Freemen’s summer event Cost must be borne in mind when any event
will know the weather At the start of the event I did mention that is planned. It would be irresponsible for me
was kind to us. Not as the previous year had been a bit of a smash to continue to expand the fete without
the forecasters had said and grab when it came to the sandwiches bearing this in mind. Over the very short time
the previous day, which and I asked people to refrain from getting I have been organising the event I have
was reflected in the three, four and more at any one time, seen the cost rise at an alarming rate and
many congratulations I portion control was once again a challenge some thought must be given to the viability
received when the sun this year, so apologies to those who did not of the event as it exists in its present form.
shone all afternoon. get to taste the excellent roast - back to the
It’s strange that I was drawing board I think. The Summer Freemen’s event has become
congratulated on the The drink counter has always proved to be the largest annual meeting of Newcastle
weather more than a popular place and probably the scene Freemen that Newcastle has seen since
anything else, the only of the two hardest working volunteers Jean before the Second World War and probably
thing over which I have Bainbridge and Vera Harvey, Jean is there before then. There are other events that
no control of at all. because she is my wife and has continually have a higher profile within the city that most
It was unfortunate that supports me in everything I get myself Freemen seem to conveniently forget about,
one of the Headline involved in. Vera is a family friend, many it would be good to see a similar support at
performers [The Creepy thanks to them both. these other events.”
crawlies] failed to turn
up. I was acutely aware The idea at the outset was not to put on a Alan Bainbridge
that this disappointed fete, but construct an event where Freemen
FreemenMagazine 9

Moor Bank
Lodge Gardens
Following the return as Town Moor land
our staff looked after the greenhouses
and garden of the Moor Bank Lodge
garden while communicating with
horticultural organisations with the offer
to take any rare or plants of special
interest which had been abandoned by
the University.
Plants have been
collected by Botanic
Gardens from around
the country, and by
the Autumn we were
able to turn down
the heating in the
greenhouses making
a considerable
saving to the running
costs.
The outside gardens were a particular
challenge due to many peripheral areas
being overgrown with various weeds, some
noxious which were of concern had they
been allowed to spread to other areas
of Town Moor. Our staff dealt with the
infestation and are now looking after the
garden on a care and maintenance basis,
consideration to the future of this area is
underway. There are many unusual and
rare trees which will remain and continue
to flourish, we have had many suggestions
regarding the grassed area, from continuing
to keep as a lawn, another being to establish
a wildflower meadow with a variety of
flowers which in turn would attract a variety
of insects and, of course, the creatures that
feed on them.
Earlier in the year City Council officers
visited the site together with the Stewards
Committee and were dismayed at the
dilapidated condition of the infrastructure.
We shall continue to consult with the
City Council as to the best option for
the buildings. In respect of the external
landscape we now believe the presentation
is much improved.
10 FreemenMagazine
Tyne Bridge Harriers secretary, David
Shipwrights North Eastern Appleby, explained, “Those of you who were
on Town Moor in 1986 for the National will
Annual Outing Cross Country remember that the course was a white-out.
“While I’ve been told it looked picturesque
Championships with streams of athletes with their heads
down going up Cow Hill I’m hoping things
won’t be that bad this time round.
The North Eastern Cross-Country
Championships have never been held “Tyne Bridge were delighted and honoured
on the Newcastle Town Moor, however, when asked if they could host this year’s
thanks to the Freemen of Newcastle, championships even though time was
history was made with the109th running pressing but I think we are all set for a great
day’s competition.
of the championships taking place at
11 o’clock on Saturday morning on the “However, I have to say a big thanks to the
10th December 2014. Freemen for giving us the permission to use
Town Moor at short notice.”
For their annual outing members of the
Shipwrights Company visited Trinity
House on the 4th October 2014. Twenty-
five attended this very interesting
guided tour lasting one and a half hours
– which we can highly recommend.
The magnificent old building is situated off
Broad Chare, near the Law Courts, and one
goes through an archway into the courtyard
where a plaque on the wall indicates that it
was built in 1721.
A flight of stone steps leads up to the
Entrance Hall which contains various
interesting curiosities. A model of the
battleship Ville de Paris made by prisoners
out of beef bones and a model of the
Groyne Lighthouse, South Shields may be
seen, while other relics are mounted on the
walls or suspended from the ceiling.
We were shown around the Library and the
Board Room, the walls of which were literally
covered in paintings and engravings. Some
of the paintings were by Carmichael, the
shipwright turned artist.
Finally we came into the Chapel which
is said to date from 1491 with its ancient
pews and pulpit of finely carved black
oak. Our guide was excellent and very
knowledgeable indeed.
Ian Miller Senior Steward
FreemenMagazine 11

Stewards
Committee News
We have continued assessing and
installing the Elizabethan metal fence
where appropriate, in 2014 a section on
east of the A167 on Grandstand Road
adjacent to the woods was installed, we
took the opportunity to bring the fence
line nearer to the road thus reducing
the verge to a manageable depth of
three metres.
As you will be aware there is a public
perception that the Freemen are responsible
for all maintenance of the verges of the
Town Moors when actually it is in partnership
with the City Council. Newcastle City
Council has been obliged to reduce verge
and hedgerow maintenance, and where
this has had an impact on areas adjacent to
the Town Moors we have stepped in to carry
out the work to protect the Town Moors from
infestation and to ensure the routes into the
City are presentable.
There are many requests for events to
be held on various Town Moors which
we accommodate as much as possible,
permission has been given for the Army
Medical Corp to hold a “Medi-Challenge”
on Nuns Moor which will involve a scenario
where casualties are located and medically
assessed then evacuated by foot to a
Chinook helicopter which will land on the
Moor.
12
12 FreemenMagazine
We have many requests for charity runs to
use the Town Moor, each one has to be
assessed to take the safety of the public
and cattle into consideration. The Cancer
Research 5k and 10K Race for Life including
the Pretty Muddy event has been given the
green light and we are working with the
organisers to finalise arrangements. These
are in addition to the annual events the
largest being the Hoppings, also the Circus,
Great North Run, Army recruitment day,
not forgetting the Nuns Moor Fair, the list is
endless.
Members of the Stewards Committee and
the Town moor Superintendent constantly
carry out inspection of areas where a lease
is in place, ranging from the Newcastle Golf
Club to Allotments, lease enforcement being
a very important function to protect the
Town Moors. When any lease is due to be
renewed we review the content to ensure
there is provision for reinstatement within
the lease, an area which was lacking as
we experienced with the University Botanic
Garden lease.
We are often asked ‘what is an Intake?’
In accordance with the provisions of the
Town Moor Act 1988 the City Council may,
with the concurrence of the Stewards
Committee, grant leases of Intakes by public
auction or tender for a term not exceeding
21 years. Revenue derived from the intakes
is utilised by the Town Moor Money Charity.
The Stewards Committee carefully consider
the potential impact any lease has on the
environment.
Stints
We should never underestimate the
importance of grazing the Town Moor,
it is the single most important activity
undertaken by the Freemen, this
centuries old tradition of grazing mulch
cows is so important it is enshrined in
law, as described in the Town Moor Act.
Stints is a term used to describe the authority
to graze a cow on the Town Moor.
The Stewards Committee have the power,
subject to provisions of the Town Moor Act
1988, to regulate the stintage of the Town
Moor, that is to say, the allocation of grazing
rights and the conduct of grazing and may
make such rules for that purpose as may be
required.
They also decide the number of cows which
may be depastured on the Town Moor in
any year having regard to the conditions
and capacity of the areas available up to
a maximum of 800 cows.
No cow can be depastured except under
the authority of a stint ticket issued by
the Stewards Committee to a Newcastle
resident Freemen or surviving spouse or his
or her transferee on payment of a sum
which is fixed be the Stewards
Committee and applied towards the
cost of herding, administration for
depasturing cows on the Town Moor.
Each resident Freemen (living within the
city of Newcastle) or surviving spouse is
entitled to apply before 1st April in any year
for stints (each of which shall be in respect
of the right to depasture one cow) if the
applications exceed the number of stints
or the stints outnumber the applications a
ballot takes place.
Resident Freemen if allocated a stint may
depasture their own cow or authorise the
Stewards Committee to sell or transfer on
their behalf the stints which they have been
allocated in the ballot.
The Stewards Committee may impound any
cattle, horses, sheep, pigs or other domestic
animals at large on the Town Moor without
lawful authority.
The grazing season starts on 31st March
through to 31st October each year, (and
on occasions beyond) dependant on the
condition of the herbage, the graziers start
to deliver the cattle gradually building up
the the herd circa 600 cattle were present
on the Moors. At the end of the season
graziers collect the cattle which are returned
to the farms for the winter period.
FreemenMagazine 13

Newcastle upon
Tyne Trade
Guilds
British History Online includes
interesting abstracts of the various
Guilds of Newcastle upon Tyne too
many to include all in one issue, but
we will include two or three in each
publication.
Merchant Adventure’s, comprising the
three branches of Drapers, Mercers,
and Boothmen.
The borough of Newcastle upon Tyne,
distinguished by some privileges in former
charters, was honoured very early in the reign
of King John, with new franchises and more
extensive immunities. It was not, however, till
his 17th year, A. D. 1215, that he constituted
therein a society of free merchants, the
members of which he exempted from
pleading anywhere without its walls to any
plea, but that concerning foreign tenures:
he released them also from the duties of toll,
lastage, pontage, and passage in all the sea-
ports of his dominions at home and abroad,
empowering the mayor of Newcastle, or sheriff
of Northumberland, to give them reparation
for whatever injury they might sustain.
The above charter was confirmed to the
merchants of Newcastle by the succeeding
sovereigns, Henry III. Edward II. and Edward III.
with the addition of new privileges.
In 1281, an Italian merchant occurs making
large shipments of wool and leather at
14 FreemenMagazine
Newcastle, a privilege not granted to the
guild of Merchants. In 1343, they complained
that the other burgesses of the town were
permitted to purchase merchandise at prime
cost, for their private use, out of all ships in
the port, which was an infringement of their
immunities. In 1353, Edward III. removed the
staple of English wool from the Flemings to
England, when Newcastle became one of
the nine staple towns and in 1397, Richard II.
granted leave to the Newcastle Merchants
to carry woolfels, and other commodities,
to any other foreign port, besides Calais, on
paying custom and subsidy. This licence was,
in after reigns, often repealed and renewed,
just as the Merchants succeeded in bribing
the crown. A considerable trade, at this time,
seems to have been carried on between
Newcastle and the ports of the Baltic.
In the year 1480, the society of Merchants of
Newcastle subscribed a written agreement
for the better government of that body, which
was to remain in force for six years. They bind
themselves to meet and hold their courts
at the Maison Dieu Hall, on the Sandhill, on
the last Thursday of every month; their head
meeting (called a guild) to be on the Thursday
next after “Mid-fast” Sunday. Apprentices to
serve seven years. The society are to go in
procession on Corpus Christi Day, when they
are to appear in the meal market, by seven
o’clock in the morning. (By an after insertion,
the time is altered till “after high mass be
done.”) Those persons of the society who,
for the time being, shall be mayor, sheriff,
or aldermen, to attend, with their officers
and servants, upon the holy sacrament,
and according to seniority of office, are to
be principal in the said solemn procession,
in which the latest made burgess is to walk
foremost. The name of the play they acted
was “Hogmagog.” Many entries occur in their
books concerning the expenses of the above
procession and play.
December 4, 1504, a licence was granted by
King Henry VII. to the governor and merchants
of the Merchant Guild of Newcastle upon
Tyne, empowering them, till the 1st of August
next, to buy any wools or woolfels of the
growth of Northumberland, Cumberland,
Westmoreland, Durham, Allerton, and
Richmondshires, and ship them from
Newcastle to any part of Flanders, Brabant,
Holland, Zealand, or any foreign parts, at two
shippings, paying for every sack of wool 10s. and the like sum for every 240 woolfels. December
11, 1509, King Henry VIII. renewed the above grant: and, in 1517, he made an exemplification
of former grants to the merchants of Newcastle. The exports of this society, about the year 1520,
appear to have been canvas, sheep skins, lamb-fels, lead, grindstones, coals, and rough-tanned
leather.
A. D. 1546, King Edward VI. granted the charter under which the present company of Merchant
Adventurers took their corporate title of “The Governor, Assistants, Wardens, and Fellowship of
Merchant Adventurers of the Town and County of Newcastle upon Tyne,” which is their present
name of incorporation. Previous to this time, they were styled “Merchant Venturers in the Ports of
Brabant beyond the Seas.” By this charter, it was directed that a Governor, twelve Assistants, and
two Wardens, should be elected, and sworn on the 9th day of October in every year; that the
company should have a perpetual succession; power to sue and be sued, &c. a seal, a clerk,
and beadle; power to purchase lands, to take recognizances, to make bye-laws, to buy and ship
to foreign parts, &c. as before by Henry VII.
The following are the names of the original officers of the Company, inserted in the charter,
viz. Henry Anderson, Governor; Robert Brandling, Robert Lewen, George Davell, Mark Shaftoe,
Cuthbert Ellison, Robert Brigham, William Carr, Bartholomew Bee, Roger Mitford, Thomas Bewicke,
Bertram Anderson, and Oswald Chapman, Assistants; Bertram Bewicke and John Rawe, Wardens.
Charters of confirmation were subsequently granted by Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, and King
James I.
Coopers Guild
The ancient ordinary of this society, dated January 20, 1426,
enjoined them to go together yearly at the feast of Corpus Christi
in procession, as other crafts did, and play their play at their own
charge; each brother to attend at the hour assigned him at the
procession, on pain of forfeiting a pound of wax; that none should
take a Scotsman born to apprentice, nor set any such to work,
under the penalty of 40s. whereof 26s. 8d. to go to the fraternity,
and 13s. 4d. to “Sente Nicholas Kyrkwarke.” No brother to take any
more than one apprentice in seven years. All turners and pulley-
makers coming to Newcastle, to be bound by the same ordinary.
An ‘after clause’ forbade the employing of any Dutchman; and, by another after clause, the
company of ropers was united with this society.
By an ordinance of the corporation of Newcastle (17th of Elizabeth) which consolidates the
companies of coopers, pulley-makers, turners, and rope-makers, it is ordained, “That none
of these companies shall take any apprentice but one in four years, except the children of
brethren;” and by a bye-law of this consolidated company, in the year 1786, it was enacted,
“that for the enrolment of every apprentice so taken, a brother shall pay £10, or any apprentice
at all during the servitude of another, £5.”
January 30, 1650, the corporation of Newcastle ordered this company a lease for seven years of
a place in the Manors, to be a meeting-house. The Company of Plasterers appear to have met
with this society soon after the restoration. The following entry occurs in their books:—”June 5,
1667, received of the Plasterers for their part of the plastering of the new meeting-house, £1, 4s.
6d.” October 7, 1699, a warrant was granted to this society by the Mayor of Newcastle, to search
all herrings, &c. a power which is still continued in their hands. In 1725, a legacy of £20 was left by
Mrs. Margaret Stephenson to this society, to be divided, and let out to two brethren for a certain
number of years, without interest. The company consists of 70 members. Previous to 1791, they
met in a room above the Water Gate, on the Sandhill.
At present, they hold their meetings at a tavern, but have petitioned for Pink Tower, which it is
expected will soon be converted into a handsome meetinghouse.
FreemenMagazine 15

Town Moor
Superintendent’s
Report
Following on from the last issue of
our magazine I can conclude that
the feedback from our graziers was
that they had again enjoyed a very
productive grazing season on the Town
Moors with all indicating that they
would love to be invited back to graze
their cattle in the spring of 2015.
The Hoppings vacated the Town Moor
and as the weather had been very kind
whilst Europe’s largest travelling fun fair
visited our City, this in turn meant that the
reinstatement works were kept to a minimal.
As a consequence of this it enabled us
to investigate parts of the vast drainage
network within the site which had not been
operating as it should have been. After a
week of investigating these areas, 3 areas
were highlighted for repair. The findings were
reported back to the Stewards Committee
along with the plan of repair, the schemes
were agreed and the works were carried
out immediately giving maximum benefit to
the land prior to the winter months ahead.
We imported 560 tonnes of new top soil onto
the site. This was used to infill large shallow
depressions on the site to allow the surface
water to run to the drainage schemes
16 FreemenMagazine
allowing the land to drain quicker and better
rather than gathering in the slack areas and
creating mini ponds all over the site. The
areas were all worked and seeded and as a
result the seed has taken very well and the
pasture improved.
Southern Green returned to Moor Bank
garden on the 16th of October with
delegates from the Avery Hill Botanic
gardens in Greenwich to remove the
specimens they had earlier potted on. Both
agencies expressed their gratitude to the
Stewards Committee of the Freemen for
allowing them the opportunity to access
such a variety of plants that they may have
never had the chance of obtaining.
Our staff continue to maintain the Gardens
on a care and maintenance basis. May
I express great credit to our staff for the
works that have been carried out so far.
Feedback from the Stewards Committee is
that the grounds look better now than they
have ever done. There is further tree work
planned in for over the winter months as part
of the winter works programme, these works
can only benefit the other plants within the
gardens allowing them to flourish which will
in turn enhance the overall appearance of
the Moor Bank Lodge Gardens.
The Town Moor was host to a multitude of
events over the summer months filtering into
the autumn, we had the Hoppings, followed
by the Pride in July, followed by the Mela in
August, which overlapped with the circus,
we then hosted the Great North Run in mid-
September, then we had the private schools
cross country championships, followed by
the National cross country championships
which is the first time they had used the Town
Moors. The Lord Mayor of Newcastle opened
the event and assisted in presenting the
medals at the end of the event. Feedback
from the event organisers was that the
Moors had provided a challenging course
and all were impressed with the venue.
Moving into mid-October the Army from
Fenham Barracks held an open day on the
Town Moor for the public of Newcastle to
attend free of charge as a way of a thank
you for their continued support during the
recent middle eastern conflicts. Different
regiments put on their displays across the
course of the day which was well attended
and as a consequence talks of hosting a
similar event this year are already underway.
Then to finish the year off we had the New
Year’s Day Resolution Charity Run, with the
proceeds raised from this event going to
Saint Oswald’s Hospice and Water Aid.
Our Elizabethan fencing programme
continued with 304 metres of wooden
fencing being replaced on Grandstand
Road this now completes Grandstand Road
renewal from the Blue House right up to
the southern slip road of the A167. Other
stretches of refurbishment are being looked
at and I may be reporting on them in the
next issue.
Town Moor Staff are steadily working their
way through the winter works programme,
the main concentration of the these works
have involved the staff “stepping in” to
assist the City Council with boundary fence
line clear outs and verge works on Town
Moor land. With continued cut backs within
our City Council the Stewards Committee
through the Town Moor Joint Working
Group have given assurances of support
and assistance where needed. This has
been greatly appreciated by the Local
Council and work continues as a partnership
throughout the West End of Town Moor land.
On the main Town Moor our drainage
renewal programme continues with a vast
scheme being implemented below the two
hills, we hope this will be finished by the end
of February, and once settled will improve
a large parcel of land that has recently
become waterlogged due to collapsed and
blocked field drains. Further updates to be
included in my next report.
Kevin Batey
Town Moor Superintendent
FreemenMagazine 17
Diary Dates Notice Board & Freemen Shop
Easter Guild
Monday 13th April 2015
The Hoppings
19th June - 27th June 2015
Bereavements The Freemen of
Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on
Quayside, bottom of Dean Street) Close
Come along and enjoy all the fun of the
largest traveling funfair in Europe (probably John George Glass
Newcastle shop is open
Court of Guild (for Company Stewards only) the World). Margaret Storey
begins at 10.30 am. Freemen of Newcastle upon
Tanners Company Tyne pin badges are available
Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of
Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12 Michaelmas Guild now. The 16mm badge depicts
noon prompt. Monday 12th October 2015 Colin Ions the armorial bearings of the
You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall Shipwrights Company City circled by the inscription
Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. (on Quayside, bottom of Dean Street) “Freemen of the City of
The meeting concludes with new Freemen
Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards Newcastle upon Tyne”.
being called, and if present sworn in by the Bill Lorraine
Lord Mayor. only) begins at 10.00 am. At this particular
meeting the Stewards Committee is Cordwainers Company The ever popular multi crested
Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is democratically elected via ballot for the
served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. ensuing year. silk ties are back in stock.
Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of William Sexton Blake
Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12 Plumbers Company And new for the ladies - 25mm Charm,
The Lord Mayor’s Parade noon prompt. Necklaces are also available complete
Sunday 17th May 2015
You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open on a 60mm chain, both depict the
To be held in the Cathedral Church of St. Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. armorial bearings of the City circled by
Nicholas. The meeting concludes with new Freemen
the inscription “Freemen of the City of
Robing in the Cathedral Refectory at being called, and if present being sworn in
by the Lord Mayor. Newcastle upon Tyne”.
9.30am. for commencement of parade
into the Cathedral at 9.45a.m. with the Lord Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is
Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne. served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. Orders to Kevin
All Newcastle Freemen are welcome. Should Batey Town Moor
you need to borrow a robe there will be a Superintendent
small quantity available on the day. at Moozr Bank
To assist on the day, parking will be available Lodge, payment
at Moor Bank Lodge and transport at with order by
9:00am to and from the Cathedral will be
cheque payable
provided.
to ‘Freemen of
Newcastle upon
Tyne’ - the address can be found at the
rear of the magazine.
Annual Guild Days
Ties - £27.00
Christmas Guild - the first Monday after 13th January
Pin Badge - £3.00
Easter Guild - the first Monday after Easter Monday Stick Pin Badge - £4.00
Michaelmas Guild - the first Monday after Michaelmas Monday Charm - £6.00
Necklace - £7.00

18 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 19
 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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COPYRIGHT: Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne.

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