During the municipal year of 2016/17 Newcastle City Council and the Freemen of the City celebrated 800 years since the first Mayor of Newcastle took office. Our January 2019 talk will tell the stories of some of the most renowned individuals who have occupied the role down the centuries. We’ll also learn something about the changing role of the now ‘Lord’ Mayor and how the 800 year milestone was marked.
Our speaker, David Faulkner is an eastender – born in Byker and grew up in Heaton. He was educated at Ravenswood and Chillingham Road Primary Schools and the former Heaton Grammar School before taking a history degree at the University of York. His mother was a tea packer at Ringtons and his father was a postman for the Shields Road beat. His close ties to Heaton continue: he is currently a trustee of The People’s Theatre.
David’s career spanned business, the arts and politics. He worked in the electricity industry locally for 30 years and he was on the board of the regional CBI. He has had two spells as a Newcastle City Councillor, first when in his 20s (representing Elswick, and the first Liberal on the Council for 40 years) and much later between 2004 and 2018 representing Fawdon. He was Deputy Leader of the Council for four years and Leader in 2010/11.
At present he spends his time running an initiative called ‘Newcastles of the World’, has a great interest in African-Caribbean culture and heritage (running a local promotional group called Waka Waka) and is coordinating a two year project on the history of Fawdon and Coxlodge.
Book now
Our talk will take place on Wednesday 23 January at The Corner House, Heaton NE6 5RP at 7.30pm (Doors open at 7.00pm. You are advised to take your seat by 7.15pm). All welcome. FREE for Heaton History Group members. £2 for non-members. Please book your place by contacting maria@heatonhistorygroup.org / 07443 594154. Until 27 October 2018, booking will be open to Heaton History Group members only.
Sounds like and interesting topic and must have been a mammoth undertaking. I would love to attend and discover how the city progressed through the years.