Credit Management November 2022

SOME members of the CICM
arrived on a balmy Thursday
night to take in the sights of
Durham’s medieval streets in
the company of Institute of
Tourist Guiding member, Ken
Bradshaw for out Northeast Branch Event.
Durham has a wonderful history and
still contains some impressive buildings
dating back to the 11th century.
Top of the list, of course, is the
magnificent Norman Romanesque
cathedral built between 1093 and 1133 by
the incredibly powerful and rich Prince
Bishops. These were Norman overlords
given power not only as a Bishop but
also a King, in effect they were Kings
of Northern England. Before this, the
Anglo Saxon monks arrived here in 995
having travelled throughout the north
of the country since 875 when they were
attacked by marauding non-believing
Vikings from the island of Lindisfarne.
They brought the coffin with the body
of St. Cuthbert, who had been seen to be
incorrupt 11 years after he died in 687 and
thus began the cult of Cuthbert.
Earlier, the group had seen some
wonderful buildings in the marketplace,
its Guildhall, Town Hall and St. Nicholas
church all rebuilt in the mid- 19th century.
The most stunning sculpture is that of the
1861 copper plated Huzzar on a horse,
BRANCH NEWS
King of the North
North East branch
who was 3rd Marquis of Londonderry
and a not very well-liked coal baron.
An unbelievable character, he was all
about the bottom line and campaigned
vigorously to keep children down the
mine to make as much money as possible.
Down on the river we saw the popular
bar Jimmy Allen, an unfortunate
character who was incarcerated at the
end of the 17th century as he’d stolen a
horse. A fine musician, he wrote to the
king for clemency but alas it came back
too late to save him. From there, we had
the opportunity to see the Elvet bridge
created by Prince Bishop Hugh de Puiset
in the 12th century with its massive pillars
almost reminiscent of those found in the
cathedral. We also saw some fine athletes
demonstrating their sporting prowess on
the River Wear in their narrow rowing
boats. A great evening was had by all, and
Ken was a first-class guide.
Ken Bradshaw is a qualified and
fully insured Blue Badge Guide; more
information can be found here: https://
www.kenbradshawnetourguide.co.uk
Author: Mark Alcock
Brave | Curious | Resilient / www.cicm.com / November 2022 / PAGE 52