Consett Youth Banner

Consett Heritage Project / October 2nd, 2023

Consett Heritage Project – Our Youth Banner

Celebrating Consett Youth

“From the red dust of the past, Consett youth forge a better future.”


Having completed a whole series of fabulous sessions as part of our summer youth club in collaboration with the Derwentside Detached Youth Project, the end product is our fabulous Consett Youth Banner. This was achieved with the support of fabulous local artist Tommy Anderson, who helped us bring the sessions to life. Our aim was to use the chosen images and collages created by the young people, to create a youth banner for Consett.

The Design

We decided than what better way to visualise the town than through replicating the well-recognised style of the banners used to represent the workers through the industrial age. The young people decided on the red to represent the ‘red dust’ that smothered the town when the steelworks was open. Plus, the yellow and orange flames to represent the steelwork’s foundry– the dangers of the steelworks, but also the industrial magnificence.

How and Why Consett is Important to Us

Through studying hundreds of photographs, the young people selected images of places and things in Consett that meant something to them. They then created a series of individualised collages. Tommy then created one huge collage that united the young people and the graphic images of the town. The outcome is a fabulous collection of images that symbolise what the town means to the young people.

The Slogan

In the sprit of how the industrialists united in the past, the young people created their own slogan. We ran a group session to work through what we should include, and how we could combine the past, present and future. The young people came up with ‘From the red dust of the past, Consett youth forge a brighter future.’ Which totally encapsulates how they feel about the town, and how they want to celebrate the past, but they also want to look forward to a more prosperous future.

The Launch

Our first Consett Youth Banner was launched at our AGM on 7th September 2023. It is a fabulous way for us to demonstrate how the young people feel about the town and what their hopes are for the future. We are absolutely delighted with our Consett Youth Banner – such an outcome just goes to demonstrate how thoughtful and talented the young people of Consett truly are.

Next Steps

  • Apply to be part of the Durham Miner’s Gala, 2024
  • Create two further banners – one to show the changes in the environment, another to celebrate the people of the town - past and present.
  • The full launch of the Consett Heritage project at Redhills in October 2024- we are very excited about this!
Find out more
Consett Youth Banner
Working on the banner

Consett Heritage Project / September 9th, 2024

Joan Colling - Consett Heritage Podcast

Joan is from a family who have lived and worked in Consett for many generations. She worked at the steelworks and discussed her role at the steelworks, and the impact the closure had on her family, friends and the community as a whole.

Aspirations and Future Planning / June 16th, 2023

The Tall Wall - When Coaching Works!

No matter what stage you're at in life, having someone to talk to who you can trust is an invaluable addition to your personal and professional life. Thanks to Helen Cowan’s offer from The Tall Wall, this is an additional service we can now offer our staff and volunteers.

Consett Heritage Project / July 17th, 2024

Consett Steelworks - Children's Research & Community Project | Building Self-Belief CIO

During the summer term of 2024, the children of Moorside Primary School in Consett, County Durham, participated in a project delivered by Building Self-Belief CIO, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the County Durham Community Foundation. This initiative aimed to bring the Consett community together around their shared industrial heritage. The children developed skills in creative writing, poetry, art, photography, communication, and historical research.