In 2015 Durham City Freemen launched its charitable trust, determined to be faithful to centuries of tradition by introducing a new model, designed to get the best from its surplus funds by forging new links with volunteers supporting local worthy causes.
Since its inception the trust made gifts ranging from £500 to £10,000 to no fewer than 125 organisations. But this summer trust members signalled their work was “fraught with difficulties” with no obvious solutions.
The original quartet, of John Heslop, Roger Norris, Alan Ribchester and Stuart Atkin, credited “with the foresight” of establishing the operation, had all passed away and a number attempts to attract replacements from the ranks of the freemen were unsuccessful.
Additionally, following discussions with their sole funder, the "Trustees and Wardens of Durham City Freemen", it was anticipated future financial support would be reduced for a variety of reasons, causing the trust continual concern which ultimately led to the final decision to close down.
Following the winding-down decision the trust’s five-strong team invited charities, who had benefitted in the past, to submit new project bids for a share of the last of the available funds totalling £64,000.
At a special ceremony at Framwellgate Community Centre cheques were presented to 35 representatives of charities, with amounts varying from the smallest of £600 to the largest - £15,000 which was handed to St Cuthbert’s Hospice.
To those assembled gathering of the last recipients, chairman Eric Bulmer acknowledged the dedication of fellow trust members John Booth (secretary), Theresa Ford (treasurer), Kenneth Howe and Geoff Kitson and made particular of their unwavering support during the “past difficult months.”
“Benevolence has been the cornerstone of the freemen’s existence for centuries, particularly in supporting members and their families in times of hardship. During the more recent past we have directed our focus on the widest range of charities and worthy causes within our local communities.
“Sadly, for the last 18 months our work faced mounting difficulties on a range of issues, not least sustainability and the ethos envisaged at the launch in 2015, as well as fundamental problems affecting our ability to sustain standards and objectives,” he said.
Following the closure announcement the trust received many messages from those who had received support, expressing “hugely grateful thanks” and “sorrow” at learning the trust’s work had been drawn to a close.