The inaugral Tyne and Wear Heritage Forum conference took place yesterday, and it was great to be among the 180 folk gathered to hear the launch of the forum's HeritageACT campaign. As the conference had an industrial heritage theme, I'd been invited along to run two workshops on 'Working with Volunteers', following the great success … Continue reading ‘Working with Volunteers’ – conference presentation from the T&W Heritage Forum Conference published

I hope by now that you've heard of the community-led Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project which I project managed between 2013 and 2015.  As a result of that project's many and varied successes, I've been invited to run workshops on working with volunteers at the upcoming Tyne and Wear Heritage Forum Conference later this month … Continue reading Working with volunteers this New Year?

https://twmuseums.org.uk/news/arts-award-success-for-haydon-bridge-students 147 students from Haydon Bridge High School have achieved their Bronze Arts Award by creating artwork inspired by neighbouring Hadrian’s Wall. Students worked with three artists to create portraits, inspired by an exhibition, called Wall Face, of portraits from the National Portrait Gallery showing the men and women who helped preserve and reveal Hadrian’s … Continue reading Bronze Brilliance by Haydon Bridge High School Arts Award students

The combined efforts of 200 volunteers, expertise from local professional contractors and strong leadership from local people has earned the Dukesfield Arches near Slaley, Northumberland a place in the national final of Historic England’s Heritage Angels award. The annual Angel Awards, founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber and supported by the Telegraph, celebrate the efforts of … Continue reading Will Dukesfield be a Heritage Angel?

Hadon Bridge High School KS3 students are today getting assessed for their Bronze Arts Award. Earlier this year I took them to all eleven Hadrian's Wall museums and supported their work with three artists through the Wall Face project. They brought this inspiration and newly developed skills together during a creativity week where heritage and … Continue reading Hadrian’s Wall inspiring cross-curricular creativity

Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project is drawing to a close - what an amazing two years we've had. Sit back and enjoy this video showcasing some of the highlights

The sun shone and the birds sang as the present Lord Allendale met his four-times-great Grandmother, Diana Beaumont on the 350th anniversary of her purchase of the Dukesfield lands, the start of Allendale Estate. A grand party for the volunteers followed with performances of Carry On Mining....Ore and of songs written especially for the project, … Continue reading Celebrating the Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project

Pleased as punch that Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project won second place, Highly Commended in the Heritage category of the Constructing Excellence North East Awards 2015. Acclaimed for the engagement, learning and innovations in conservation of the listed building, this was jointly awarded to Conchie & Co and Kevin Doonan Architect, Heritage Consolidation Ltd, The … Continue reading Highly Commended for Dukesfield

As part of the new Hadrian's Wall online learning resource, a database of freelance educators who can support schools to learn about the heritage of Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site is available online. http://www.visithadrianswall.co.uk/learning/ideas-and-inspiration Practioners include potters, artists, hstorians, Roman Soldiers, Border Reivers, storytellers and conservationists, who are all willing to come into schools to … Continue reading Calling all teachers and freelancers – Database of learning practitioners who can visit schools