We've just been published as a case study by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom http://www.lotc.org.uk/2014/08/leaden-learning-protoindustrial-history-and-infecting-enthusiasm/
Arches Inspired Artists
Leaden Learning?
…not this week!
Allendale Primary School spent the day at Dukesfield Arches today, working alongside the stonemasons, archaeologists, and volunteers on a range of heritage and arts based activities.
Getting entrenched in the archaeology:
Making technical drawings of the excavations:
Helping rebuild the Leat wall using traditional lime mortar:
Writing haiku poetry about the arches then and now:
Sketching their inspiration for their entries into the Allendale Agricultural Show:
And exploring perspective and focus using the camera obscura:
From the comments afterwards, the archaeologists, stone masons and volunteers enjoyed it just as much as the children. What a great day!
Learning about the people and places of the Lead Industry
This week two classes from Allendale Primary will be working with the Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project, visiting Allenheads miner/farmer landscape and the conservation works at Dukesfield Arches. Later in the week the children will be creating artworks inspired by their visits for entry into the Allendale Agricultural Show, and maybe the Slaley Show.
Knowledge in DarknessWe’ve been lucky enough to bring in a wide range of professionals to support the visits including at Allenheads:
– Allenheads artist Bridget Kennedy who has an exhibition of sculptures inspired by Thomas Sopwith’s writings – Knowledge in Darkness
– Allenheads geologist – to talk about the mining, geology and landscapes
– Allenheads engineer – to demonstrate the hydraulic engines
– Allenheads gamekeeper to talk about the moors and their birdlife and how they’re looked after today
At Dukesfield, they’ll be introduced to the site by our own volunteers, and will then work with experts…
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Illustrating expectations
I went to the House of Illustration yesterday - and it wasn't what I expected. The displays of Quentin Blake's work were elegantly presented: a summary paragraph, plus one or two more explaining his key choices when illustrating, alongside several original drawings for each book. The selections were for adults and children, modern and classic. I loved the table (at tip-toe … Continue reading Illustrating expectations
Restoring Nenthead Chapel and celebrating ‘Nenthead’s Unique Heritage’
Nenthead Chapel Project - you have your Audience Engagement, Training and Learning Plans all safely delivered for your Round 2 Heritage Lottery Fund application. I hope our work reflects "Nenthead's unique heritage": the communities' responses to the adversity and rewards of living in this landscape It's been great working with you - I've enjoyed it so … Continue reading Restoring Nenthead Chapel and celebrating ‘Nenthead’s Unique Heritage’
The rise of Extreme Volunteering?
Most of my work is helping volunteers, or working as a volunteer myself, to achieve community and/or heritage benefits (to use funderspeak). I've spent years researching, consulting and developing ideas and definitions, funding proposals and organisational aims and objectves. It takes a lot of doing, a lot of time and skill, and so it should. … Continue reading The rise of Extreme Volunteering?
More questions than answers?
A fantastic few weeks digging at Dukesfield Arches are coming to a close. Blessed by sunshine (mostly) and no midgies (mostly) and some fantastic volunteers (absolutely!)
On Friday morning, this is what we thought we’d found :
However this had changed by Sunday lunchtime and the jury is still out – were there two water wheels? Was the original 1670’s mill retained and incorporated within the 1802 mill?
What are our mystery objects? Any ideas?
Our open day on Sunday was well attended by over 40 visitors, who all joined in the debate and enjoyed exploring the three dfferent dig trenches, sharing their ideas on how they could be connected to each other.
Getting busy with the BBC!
Great piece today on the local BBC news website – if it’s brought you here – thanks for coming! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-27327070
The site is open to the public at all times as there’s a public footpath right next to it (see bottom of this page for directions), but we have Open Days planned during half term for Saturday 25th and Bank Holiday Monday 26th May.
We have a few free places still available if you want to join in with the dig between 10th & 27th May. Email us on dukesfield@outlook.com (phones don’t work on site!). Diggers will be on site every day except Wednesdays and Thursdays (we’re keen, but need a bit of a rest), from 10am until about 4pm. For more detailed info on the dig, including reports and project design, see here.
Hope you can come along and join us!
Cooking up a storm!
Over 200 people came through the door of Slaley Parish Hall on Easter Saturday to try the tastes which the Smelters and Carriers would also have enjoyed. Displays of cooking implements and old recipe books were set alongside tables crammed with gingerbread, curd cheese, lemon posset, Hexham Gooseberry Tart, honey shortbread, lardy cake, toffee, and rabbit and mushroom casserole.
One highlight was watching buttermaking, with the beaten cream being patted into shape by a pair of well-practiced hands. As a little girl, May would help her mother on the farm to make over 20 pounds of butter each Wednesday. She can still recreate their unique identifying pattern, so everyone would know which farm the butter came from.
We hope to be able to put some of the recipes used onto this website in the near future, then you can all have a flavour.
Yvonne Conchie 