Chance to bid on a fine reward for ‘eminent services’

TONY HENDERSON on a memento of a man who left his mark on North Shields and Tynemouth

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THE life of Quaker John Foster Spence spanned the 19th century.

Born in 1818, he lived until 1901 and was instrumental in the formation of the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade.

Now the Freedom of the Borough of Tynemouth silver presentation casket awarded to John Foster Spence will be sold with an estimate of £1,000-£1,500 in an Anderson & Garland Newcastle auction today.

It carries the inscription: “Presented by The Mayor Alderman and Burgesses of the Borough of Tynemouth, To John Foster Spence Esquire, with the honorary Freedom of the Borough, in recognition of his many eminent services, 1894.” It includes the original signed manuscript.