Eric Barlow, whose childhood began in County Durham before his family moved south, has been introduced as the newest Freeman of the City of Durham.
Barlow was born in Foxes Row, Brancepeth, where his father worked as an estate worker. He spent his early years in the heart of County Durham before the family moved to Browney Colliery, where he attended the local primary school.
In November 1963, the family relocated to Banbury. Although Barlow has lived away from the North East for more than six decades, his connection to Durham and the wider region has remained an important part of his identity.
A career in aluminium research
After attending Banbury Grammar School, later known as Banbury School, Barlow left education at 18 and began working for Alcan International at its aluminium research centre in Banbury.
He went on to build a career lasting almost 40 years as a chemist and project leader. His work focused on can-making and painted sheet process and product development, with responsibilities extending across Switzerland and Germany.
Barlow spent four years living in Switzerland and five years commuting weekly to Germany. His work supported German factories for many years before he retired in 2013. He now lives in the Banbury area with his wife, Sally. The couple have no children.
Maintaining a North East connection
Despite moving away as a child, Barlow continued to return to the region. He spent every Easter and summer holiday with his grandmother in Brandon, and the article describes his North East heritage as central to his identity.
He is also a lifelong Sunderland supporter, having begun following the club at the age of six. He still regularly attends matches.
Sport remains part of Barlow’s life. He has played a range of disciplines and now has particular interests in table tennis, golf and long-distance hiking. He also coaches table tennis.
A family link to Durham’s Freemen
Barlow’s route into the Freemen tradition is rooted in his family history. His maternal grandfather, Emmerson Heron, owned a plumbing business in Durham and was a Freeman himself.
That connection enabled Barlow’s father, John Barlow, to qualify as a Freeman, with the hope that the tradition would continue to the next generation. Many of Barlow’s cousins are also Freemen.
His admission honours his parents, his family history and his lasting connection to the City of Durham. The article says Barlow is sincerely proud to seek to continue that tradition as a Freeman of the City of Durham.