Sarah Envy - Consett Heritage Podcast

Heritage / December 4th, 2023

Sarah Envy - Consett Heritage Podcast

Sarah knows Consett as quite a rural and naturally beautiful area, sitting above the Derwent Valley, although as she now understands it, this hasn't always been the case. She spends a lot of time at Derwent Reservoir on walks and has often cycled around the area, which has a completely breathtaking 'natural' landscape abundant with wildlife. Sarah is Engagement Manager for The National Lottery Heritage Fund North. Until her involvement in our Consett Heritage Project, she was unaware that this area had such a significant industrial past. Consett steel was used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower! From photographs she has seen of the old Consett Ironworks, she now realises that you would have been able to see rows of machinery just over the horizon from the Reservoir, peeking over the ridge of the dam. Physically, this view has disappeared, but it is clear that there's a lot of buried history that is not currently accessible, it is discoverable. She believes that we need to continue to provide opportunities to access such a significant part of Consett's heritage, we don't want it to be lost or forgotten. She is particularly excited about the latest Heritage initiative that will truly put Co Durham on the cultural and heritage map!

Heritage / September 1st, 2025

Alecia's Celebration of Stanley

Alecia tells us about discovering Stanley's past and suggestions for Stanley's future.

Heritage / April 15th, 2024

Volunteering / April 15th, 2024

Environmental / April 15th, 2024

The Restoration of the Giant’s Foot

Easter was the perfect opportunity to encourage volunteers to come and help us at Benfieldside Community Garden. We were absolutely delighted to have over 45 volunteers of all ages, over the two days. Such events are a true testament to what can be achieved when we all work together. We had an egg hunt, used the Storytelling Corner, and most significantly, renovated the Giant’s Foot!

Heritage / June 30th, 2026

'My Empty Heart'

This project was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1826 Stargate Pit Disaster near Ryton, Gateshead. In this poem, 15-year-old James Robson, this poem reflects on the hopes, dreams, and lost childhoods of the young boys who worked and died in the Stargate Pit Disaster.