Working alongside young people and the wider community, we shall ensure that the institution that literally built Consett has its heritage recognised by the people who lived and worked there. Engaging new generations of local people with no memory of the former steelworks along the way. With grateful thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Players of the National Lottery.
History, Art and Youth Social Action
Celebrating Consett Youth
“From the red dust of the past, Consett youth forge a better future.”
Having completed a whole series of fabulous sessions as part of our summer youth club in collaboration with the Derwentside Detached Youth Project, the end product is our fabulous Consett Youth Banner. This was achieved with the support of fabulous local artist Tommy Anderson, who helped us bring the sessions to life. Our aim was to use the chosen images and collages created by the young people, to create a youth banner for Consett.
Let's celebrate Consett's industrial heritage by raising enough money for a Ray Lonsdale, steel statue for our town!
A Ray Lonsdale Steel Statue for ConsettRay Lonsdale’s statue of Tommy, at Seaham had a profound effect on John Fox. As a former steelworker, he knows how much skill is involved in creating such a figure. It has also led for him to wonder why Consett, a town built on steel, does not have such a statue? Why don’t we have a fitting symbol of the years of toil at ‘The Works’? Wouldn't something similar be appropriate for Consett? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could work together as a community and raise the funds and get Ray to create a fabulous statue to represent the history and spirit of Consett Steel?Who is with us? Will you help John to realise his dream for Consett?
Donate today
The Restoration of the Giant's Foot
One of the underlying principles of everything we do is to connect our young people to their past. We do this through storytelling and art and we encourage children to be creative as a way of improving their self-esteem and self-belief. Our latest project at Benfieldside Community Garden is a perfect example of this, We combined Consett's folklore, storytelling with the physical restoration of the Giant's Foot in the garden. The children had the most fabulous couple of days.
Consett Q&A
Ever wondered: What was ‘The Battle of the Blue Heaps‘? Where does Consett’s name originate from? What links the town has with Spanish Royalty?
What a great evening we had exploring Consett's history. A huge thanks you to local historian Brian Harrison for sharing his knowledge with us all.
Read our blog for full details.
Historical Artefacts
As part of our programme we have received numerous kind donations that we are using for our Consett heritage based exhibitions and educational workshops. We are also digitally copying any photographs that are donated for use. This is our most recent donation, steel from the last Billet rolled at Consett steelworks on Friday 12th September 1980.
If you have anything of this nature that you may wish to contribute towards programme please get in touch.
Take a look at the amazing work created as part of the two-year Consett Heritage Project
Find out more
Our Heritage Volunteers
This project would not be possible without our amazing volunteers. These people are part of Consett's local community and are making what we do possible.
The Consett Iron Company 160th Anniversary - Community Heritage Project Launch
What a delight it was to see so many people from the Consett community at our recent get together on March 16th 2023 for the launch of our Consett Heritage project. This is just the start of our much anticipated Heritage project to celebrate the 160th Anniversary of the opening of the Consett Ironworks.