At the February Guild Day Garry Dunnill, chairman of the wardens, marked the occasion by presenting Bob with a special freemen’s plaque and paying tribute to the Elliott family, in particular their unique place in the 21st century history of the organization.
“It’s a great honour to be celebrating this occasion with Bob. He has sixty years of experience and knowledge of the workings of the freemen and we should be making good use of this. As with lots of things in life, most problems have cropped up before and the answers from the past can often help those of today,” said Garry.
Eighty-six-year-old Bob, whose family links to the guilds stretch back to the early 19th century, took up a career that helped leave his personal mark on the city.
After leaving the Johnston Grammar School he trained as an electrical engineer with the then North Eastern Electricity Board and led projects which replaced many of the city’s high voltage mains and included reconstruction of sub stations. He followed his dad, Tommy, into the Masons’ Company in 1964 and was appointed warden in 2012.
Bob went on to become NEEB’s senior engineer in the North Tyne Region and in his five years before retirement was responsible for negotiating contracts for nuclear and renewable electricity on behalf of twelve regional power companies.
A decade ago granddaughter Beth was believed to be the youngest freemen in Britain when she was sworn-in at the age of 18 years and 211days – following in the footsteps of dad John.
Just three years later her younger brother Jack, then preparing to sit his A-levels, completed a unique double when he too became a member of the Masons’ Guild. But he failed to better his sister’s record, falling short by16 days.
In the passing years Beth has since qualified as a doctor and is currently based in Leicestershire where she begins her GP training in the summer. Jack completed an Open University degree in business studies during Covid and has since joined Nissan as a logistics specialist.
Other members, all from the Drapers’ Company, who have already celebrated their 60th anniversary include Roger Lewis Allison (1963); John Frederick Vasey (1963); Roland Vest (1963) and Alan Hepburn (1964).
The freemen’s oldest member, Mrs. Connie Hotchkiss, was aged 92 and believed the country’s oldest newcomer when she followed her father Frederick, brother Fred and nephew Michael into the Masons’ Company in 2014.
Connie, who will celebrate her 103rd birthday this September, is linked to the Elliott dynasty through her paternal grandfather Joseph Elliott (1841 to 1893), a master mason from Gilesgate. He in turn was younger brother of John Elliott (1837 to 1873) who was Bob’s great grandfather.
Neil Graham Warden of the Masons’ said “Bob has always been a passionate supporter of Durham City Freemen and a tireless advocate for preserving their history and heritage while ensuring they are well-prepared to meet any challenges the future may bring.”
