Position: Secretary
John Booth was born in Hartlepool and moved to Durham aged seven. Following a secondary education, he became an apprentice painter and decorator to P L Smith and Company, Elvet Bridge, Durham.
On completing his apprenticeship, he managed his own painting and decorating business for six years employing both tradesmen and apprentices, before taking up a building maintenance post at Durham School.
Eleven years later he moved to Newcastle College, where he was instrumental in the development of the Construction Curriculum Centre which attained regional and national recognition. As a result of this experience he was later promoted as Information and Learning Technology Manager for the college before retiring in 2000.
John has been a Freeman for seven years and held the posts of Chairman of the Wardens’ and Warden of the Barbers Company. During this time, he developed the Freemen website and produced numerous Freemen publications. He has an avid interest in the ongoing development and sustainability of the organisation.
His interests outside of the Freemen, include, gardening and computing.
Since moving to Ushaw Moor he has had a commitment in supporting the local community, he developed an Action Group and community garden and was involved in addressing local anti-social behaviour issues. In 2013 he was awarded a Neighbourhood Watch Outstanding Achievement Award and the Durham County Councils Chairman’s Medal for ‘Services the Community and the County of Durham’.