Our Latest Insights
Here you can read the latest on news, events, stories, and blog posts.
Consett Heritage Project / March 13th, 2025
History of Consett Steelworks - Past and Present
Building Self-Belief presents our film about Consett Steelworks Past and Present. Go on a journey with Alan Swinburne and Peter Shaw as they talk you through how Consett used to look when the steelworks dominated the landscape, and compare it to how it looks in 2025. Thank you everyone who has supported the project, in particular the National Heritage Lottery for their generous grant.
Consett Heritage Project / March 13th, 2025
Frank Matthews - Consett Heritage Project
Frank Matthews describes his working life at the steelworks and how useful the skills he developed at the Works were, when it came to finding work after the closure in 1980. Frank describes his adventurous working life abroad, but how Consett was always, and still is, in his heart.
Consett Heritage Project / March 12th, 2025
Delves Lane Primary School Poetry Anthology Part 3
The children at Delves Lane Primary School learnt about the history of the Consett Steelworks and developed their understanding of the impact that the steelworks closure had, and continues to have, on the community. They created paintings, poems and decorated a quilt. Each group chose a photo relating to the Consett Steelworks, and wrote their own poems using poetic techniques. We hope you enjoy them!
Consett Heritage Project / March 12th, 2025
Delves Lane Primary School Poetry Anthology Part 2
The children at Delves Lane Primary School learnt about the history of the Consett Steelworks and developed their understanding of the impact that the steelworks closure had, and continues to have, on the community. They created paintings, poems and decorated a quilt. Each group chose a photo relating to the Consett Steelworks, and wrote their own poems using poetic techniques. We hope you enjoy them!
Consett Heritage Project / March 12th, 2025
Delves Lane Primary School Poetry Anthology
The children at Delves Lane Primary School learnt about the history of the Consett Steelworks and developed their understanding of the impact that the steelworks closure had, and continues to have, on the community. They created paintings, poems and decorated a quilt. Each group chose a photo relating to the Consett Steelworks, and wrote their own poems using poetic techniques. We hope you enjoy them!
Consett Heritage Project / February 13th, 2025
Kieron Kelly - Consett Heritage Podcast
Kieron Kelly, a fourth-generation resident of Consett, reflects on how life and opportunities in the town have changed since the closure of the steelworks. He also highlights the various volunteering and sporting opportunities available to children and young people in the area.
Consett Heritage Project / February 7th, 2025
Playing in the Red Dust - Moorside Primary School
This poem was created by Corben, Roxi, Lacey, Oscar, Leandra, and Millie from Moorside Primary School. It reflects their take on the red dust that once covered Consett — the cloud of iron oxide emitted during the Steelworks’ production because of this red clouds of dust would hang over the town, settling on cars and clothes hung out to dry, a sight captured in many photos of Consett from that time.
Consett Heritage Project / February 3rd, 2025
Helene Wilson - Consett Heritage Podcast
Helene tells us all about how much she enjoys living in Consett and how much being part of the Consett community means to her. She considers the influences of the past, and how Consett has moved forward and is no longer just about the steelworks. Please take a listen.
Consett Heritage Project / February 3rd, 2025
Designing a Steel Statue for Consett
On Tuesday 28th January, we hosted a fundraiser and design session to generate some ideas about what the community want the Ray Lonsdale statue to look like. We were very lucky to have renowned artist Ray Lonsdale with us, who gave a talk about his artistic journey and past designs, and answered all of our questions about his statues and how we should go about creating our own for Consett.
Consett Heritage Project / 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.
Consett Heritage Project / 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.
Consett Heritage Project / 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.
Wellbeing and the Arts / Consett Heritage Project / 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.
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.
Consett Heritage Project / 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.
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.