hcswrichard

Land of Oak & Iron Local History Day May 27th 2023

History of Consett Steelworks project team were delighted to be invited to be part of the Local History Day at the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre in Winlaton

See some pictures of our displays both indoors and outdoors

We were able to allow people via the Virtual Reality Headset to “enjoy” a wander in the old site (more work on this is ongoing)

We also had some items from Building Self Belief who we are working with on their 2 year National Lottery Heritage Funded project- see link – https://www.buildingselfbelief.org/what-we-do/projects/consett-iron-company-community-heritage-project

Some framed photographs from Alan Swinburne, HCSW and also Consett & District Heritage Initative

HCSW is also proud to be a member of The County Durham Forum for History & Heritage https://www.durhamweb.org.uk/historyforum/

Good to see other groups Gateshead Coucil, Sunniside History Society, The Derwentcote Furnace and Winlaton & District History Scoiety

Thank you to all who came along

Links to the groups etc

Land of Oak & Iron

http://www.winlatonlocalhistorysociety.org.uk/

https://www.sunnisidelocalhistorysociety.co.uk/

https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/9671/Gateshead-Archive

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/derwentcote-steel-furnace/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/213017885386150 Consett & District Heritage Initative

https://historyofconsettsteelworks.wordpress.com/

Blast furnaces group photo 1960’s

A couple of pictures probably by C.I.C. photographer but unconfirmed donated by a kind contributor who wishes not to be named

First picture 1976 retirement presentation by Mr Dales

Second picture Ted Smart with his team – late 1960’s

Apprentice in-take pic for 1970-can you help?

Michael Wylie

Went along today. 48 years since I have been in Castleside club. I was hoping to find a photograph of the 1970 apprentice intake.. Every year seemed to be there except 1970. Does anyone have one?

Geoffrey Bell Anderson

Michael Wylie The apprentice intake photo’s were mainly taken for the company magazine, It ceased publication in 1968 so after that apprentice photo’s are very rare.

Apprentice in take pic Feb 1964 from the CIC Magazine

Adopt a Station/Signal Box

As part of the ongoing Mapping and 3D work on mapping not only the Steelworks site but the railways that supplied it we would like to ask people to consider supporting the research by adpoting a station or signal box

To research the history, find pictures and do “now” pictures too

We hope this will then form on line library and also be part of future exhibitions/displays

Please comment, email juddrichard1976@gmail.com or comment on our Facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/514469112794199

An example of what the 3D work can produce is below for Carr House Signal Box

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