CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF WOMEN FREEMEN
PART TWO
S
ince the last issue of the Freemen magazine, we have managed to track down the remaining original 10 women who were sworn in as hereditary Freemen of Newcastle Upon Tyne at the Easter Guild on 12 April 2010. Professor Ruth Plummer (Bricklayer) “I was delighted to be one of the first group of women to be sworn in as Freemen. The work of the Freemen of the City was part of family life throughout my childhood. My father was a member of the Stewards Committee for years, and I had been with him and the rest of the family to social events such as the Town Moor opening ceremonies. Working also at the “Freeman Hospital” for more than 20 years, Sir Leonard had kept me updated with progress of the Beverley Bill, a step my father was also strongly in favour of. Historically, my company is the Bricklayers, Wallers and Plasterers. I have also become a member of the Scriveners Company, as my father was involved when this was re-energised - so it felt right to join” Maureen Brien (Joiner) – “I was very surprised when I was invited to be one of the first women Freemen, the build up to the event itself was a mixture of nerves and excitement; on the day I just knew my dad would be have been so proud. Since then, I have been going to the yearly meetings at the Guildhall on St Peter’s day and I’m now a Junior Steward. My father Joseph William Carr and his brothers Harry & Jack Carr (sons of William Armstrong Carr) were all sworn in on the same day 1 February 1947. My cousin John Carr was made a Freeman when he was 22 in 1968 - he
14
Freemen Magazine
was also a Steward. It was lovely to see my cousins: June, Sandra and Fiona being sworn in on the same day 19 July 2010” Beverly Heron (Ropemaker) “I felt really privileged to be one of the first 10 ladies to be sworn in. I had been closely following the progress of the Beverley Bill with my father, who sadly passed away just days after the bill went through the House of Commons.
The day itself was nerve wracking, but also a very proud moment to be part of history and a Freeman of the city I love. I love family history and found an old newspaper cutting from when my father was sworn in during 1959 – something I will treasure always. Whilst tracing my family tree back to the 1700’s, I discovered that my great, great, great grandfather’s occupation was Ropemaker on the 1861 census. My eldest daughter was sworn in during 2017 and I’m looking forward to seeing my youngest daughter get sworn in next year when she turns 20.
