Sarah Envy - Consett Heritage Podcast

Consett Heritage Project / 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!

Wellbeing and the Arts / June 8th, 2023

Shoddy Theatre and the Importance of the Arts

What a delight it was to have the opportunity to organise a whole series of drama activities for some of our schools. As part of their national tour, the Shoddy Theatre Company arranged to deliver a series of workshops to engage children and young people in the arts.

Self-Belief and Emotional Wellbeing / March 9th, 2023

Teenage Emotional Wellbeing and Environmental Engagement

Our project used environmental, and creative arts related activities, to support the young people’s emotional wellbeing and self-confidence. The programme’s activities developed their arts-based skills and also included visits to Haystax Inclusive Farm Experience in County Durham, where they participated in a range of environmental based activities.

Consett Heritage Project / October 11th, 2023

Peter Shaw 'Shawty' - Consett Heritage Podcast

Peter is 4th generation Consett Native (Delves to be Specific), his childhood was spent wandering the now desolate and empty railway lines before they were finally pulled up, playing in and around the remains of the then quiet monsters of industry before they were pulled down. It was his time spent in what was left of the steelworks that has led to a lifelong interest into the heritage of 'the works'.