March 2023 – History of Consett Steelworks

Arthur Phillipson Consett Steelworks Photographer (and also Consett Area)

We would welcome your help to build up a “story” about Arthur and also to share some of his pictures both of the Steelworks, its workers but also local pictures as we understand he took wedding photographs etc

Did you know him or family?

Did you work with him?

Did he take pictures of your wedding or special days?

The Aims of the History Consett Steelworks Project

After our initial online launch due to COVID we are now beginning to work on the next stage of the development of the project

To this end and to share the aims of the project here are our aims

To work towards becoming a form of charity with Trustees etc to then be able to seek funding from various sources
To archive various items including photographs, documents etc in a range of ways with the desire to make it accessible to all
To improve and add to our website
To campaign for a permanent display space/museum
To work towards to finding the next generation of custodians to carry on the work
To continue with the “mapping of the site” and to display this in a range of ways including hopefully 3D modeling and Virtual reality
To work with other groups and projects to support their Steelworks or Consett area based activities
To promote the work we are doing in various ways from social media, to displays, exhibitions and video/oral recordings
To be a custodian of any donations already made or made in the future
To be available to provide information for researchers, media and the like

We would like to thank the near 3,000 members of the Facebook group

This is only the start and watch out for updates as we move forward

Words and The Consett Steelworks

Words About the Consett Steelworks

Red Dust is “fondly” remembered but what other words would you use to describe the “Works”??

please comment or get in touch

The picture is by Phil Bartle aka Red Dust

Derek Foster Crane Driver

Deborah Spencer kindly got in touch

My dad Derek Foster

The one on the right tonight black and white picture. The other men are Tommy really he was a slinger( now deceased) and Barry Symore he was a slinger.( he went to Australia, ).

My dad Derek was a crane driver from 1961 -1981.

Now added to HCSW Facebook page album of “Workers” https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100863484611153&set=a.229146485116185

Do get in touch to add yourself or a family member

Photographs of the Consett Steelworks agreed to be shared by Janet Roddham

Janet Roddham has agreed for these pictures to be shared which are part of a collection she has from a family member

If you have pictures to share please do get in touch

Sketch Donation

Following recent presentation at Consett Salvation Army we were kindly contacted by Isabel Panting with a donation of some sketches of the Steelworks she had when she Landlord at a local pub

We will make sure they form part of future exhibitions and displays so they can be enjoyed by as many people as possible and for future generations to come

Do comment or get in touch if have any items you could consider donating

International Womens Day 2023-Women working at “The Works” lets hear your memories and stories

#internationalwomensday

Women worked at the “Works” lets hear your stories and see your pictures

Also if you would be willing be great to put you in touch with Building Self-Belief CIO to take part in Heritage Funded project they are “managing” – please comment, or email juddrichard1976@gmail.com if this is of interest

Family life with and without the steelworks: