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 / November 17th, 2023
Edwin Oxley - Consett Heritage Podcast
Edwin started as an apprentice at the Consett Steelworks in 1961, as a 15-year-old. Over time he developed a whole host of skills and describes the excellent training he received both at technical college in Consett and Gateshead, and on the jobs in the boiler shop, foundry, blast furnace, plate mills - amongst others. He worked in every department! Take a listen to his podcast which gives a fascinating insight into the opportunities made available to him and how this gave him a solid foundation for the rest of his working life. He also gives our young people some great advice!
Volunteering / October 13th, 2023
Environmental / October 13th, 2023
Exciting News about our Community Garden
Building Self-Belief are delighted to be a new member of the the Social Farms and Gardens. We are in the final stages of securing our 25 year lease in Benfieldside Community Garden.
Employability / May 20th, 2024
Volunteering / May 20th, 2024
Environmental / May 20th, 2024
Katie Baggott - Volunteer Podcast
Durham Community Action and Building Self Belief reflect on the impact Good to Grow Week has made in County Durham and chat about the power of volunteering to increase community gardening in the local area of Benfieldside in Consett.