Joiners’ Company warden Ann Thurlow, accompanied by her 43-year-old son David, were among the first to congratulate her grandson, Robert Caulkin-Neale, when he completed the “treble” after being sworn in at the Freemen’s Martinmas ceremony, at Durham Town Hall.
For good measure, great grandmother Rita, now in her mid-80s, was present to round off the Brown family’s “four-in-a-row” achievement.
Ann’s father Jim Brown began the trend, when, in 1957 at the age of 22, he followed in the footsteps of his father Charles and grandfather William, a master joiner, who was inducted in 1908.
(Image: Geoff Kitson) When Jim died suddenly, in 2008, his role as joiners’ warden was filled by his son, Robert, who by then had already scored another “hat-trick” with son Darren and dad Jim.
But, Robert, himself, sadly also passed away, in 2018.
Changes in Equality Laws in 2010 ended the freemen’s ancient men-only culture and two years later Ann became a freeman.
Two years later she was installed as the first woman warden.
It was Rita’s turn to make her mark nine years ago, when she was one of the first two candidates to become a Lady Freeman.
Almost half of the 42-strong membership of the Joiners’ Company is now made up of Browns and members of their extended family.
Ann, now working as a part-time bus driver for Durham High School, started her PSV driving career in 1988.
Robert Caulkin-Neale, who is 19, is training to be a chef and is in his third year at Darlington College.
(Image: Geoff Kitson) “To have living relatives from four successive generations at the same swearing in ceremony is, we believe, a record in Durham,” said Ann.
“It made it a very special day for us, something we will long be proud of.
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“The freemen and their long-standing traditions were drummed into me from being a little girl and I was told of the powers they enjoyed long ago.
“I hope to see Robert’s cousin Chloe, who is 13, and her 11-year-old brother, Kieran, joining us as soon as they are old enough,” she added.
Durham’s Mayor, councillor Liz Brown, and Garry Dunnill, chairman of the wardens and membership secretary of the Freemen, were among those in attendance at the recent Martinmas ceremony.