Our Latest Insights
Here you can read the latest on news, events, stories, and blog posts.
Heritage / January 28th, 2025
Voices of Consett - Kris Kennedy
Kris Kennedy, has lived and worked in Consett all of his life, living in Constance Street and currently working at Consett Golf Club. As part of our Consett Heritage project, read his Consett Heritage story here.
Heritage / November 20th, 2024
My Own Private Hell
My Own Private Hell was created by Tyler, Phillip, Indi-Skye, Erin, Mason, and Adam from Moorside Primary School. The poem explores the awe and danger of working in the steelworks, capturing both the wonders and the harsh realities of the job.
Heritage / October 14th, 2024
Duncan Barnett - Consett Heritage Podcast
Duncan Barnett's ancestors came to Consett in the 1700s to work at the very earliest incarnation of the iron works, and his family worked in 'the Works' for generations. His job was in the plate mill. After the closure, he went on to get his degree, masters and PGCE and worked in the community with young people to support crime prevention in the young, and as a district councillor for Benfieldside. As well as this, he played in bands and worked in security for bands in the area. Listen to what he has to say about his eventful life in Consett and beyond.
Heritage / September 10th, 2024
The Monster of Consett
Lucas, Jacob, Jayden, Alan, and Roan collaborated in groups to explore the deep impact of Consett Steelworks on their local community, uncovering both its positive and negative influences. They then transformed their insights into a powerful poem, capturing what it was like to live in Consett at that time.
Heritage / 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.
Heritage / August 29th, 2024
Consett's Broken Heart
'Consett's Broken Heart' is a poem created by Olivia, Alfie A, Alfie R, Daisie, Jaxon and Damien, of Moorside Primary School. This is a fabulous poem inspired by the impact the closing of the steelworks had on the town of Consett.
Heritage / 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.
Heritage / June 27th, 2024
Stephen Robinson - Consett Heritage Podcast
Stephen Robinson, who works and lives in Consett and is an independent councillor at Durham County Council, sits down to talk about his current links to Consett, the impact the steelworks had on him, and advice he has for young people.
Heritage / May 14th, 2024
Brian Harrison - Consett Heritage Podcast
Brian Harrison is a local historian and many of you may know him as the company director for the Consett Heritage and Arts Centre. We sat down with him and discussed the origins of his love for history, his thoughts on the most significant moments of the steelworks, and more!
Heritage / April 15th, 2024
Brian Stobbs - Consett Heritage Podcast
Brian Stobbs has a wealth of personal knowledge about living in Consett during the era of the steelworks. Having grown up in the heart of Templetown, then primarily an industrial area, his perspective offers a captivating glimpse into Consett's past. Discover what motivated him to stay in Consett and why he chose not to work in the steelworks.
Heritage / Volunteering / 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 / April 12th, 2024
History of Consett Q and A – Local Mysteries now Solved!
As part of Building Self-Belief’s series of events about Consett’s heritage, local Historian Brian Harrison agreed to be in the spotlight for our Consett’s History Q and A session.
Heritage / March 27th, 2024
John Fox - Consett Heritage Podcast
John has lived his whole life in Consett and tells us all about his experiences working at Consett Steelworks and beyond! He also explains what he has planned for Consett for the future, and how he needs your help to make his dream for Consett a reality.
Heritage / March 8th, 2024
Jean Simmons - Consett Heritage Podcast
Our volunteer, Maisie Dobson, conducts an interview with her great-grandma, Jean Simmons, aged 96, discussing life and work in Consett during the peak of the Consett Steelworks era. During the conversation, Jean mentions a royal visit to the steelworks, prompting Maisie to enquire about its accuracy. Upon researching, we discovered that the event did indeed occur. Listen in to enjoy this unique recording, offering insights into the social history of Consett.
Heritage / February 9th, 2024
My Dream for Consett
Ray Lonsdale’s statue of Tommy, at Seaham had a profound effect on me. Tommy, or using it’s real title of “One Minute Past Eleven” depicts a weary First World War soldier slumped and gazing ahead. Tommy represents how many troops felt when the war ended – we had ‘won’, but at what cost?
Heritage / February 5th, 2024
Voices of Consett - Sadie (The Bra Lady)
Before earning the title of "Sadie the Bra Lady," Sadie Ayton worked in the steelworks following her school years. She initially found employment at Richmond's the Solicitors before transitioning into the role of a 'Ticky Woman,' collecting credit payments by visiting houses.