Take a look at articles providing news from across the area.
If you’d like to submit something for inclusion in the website to share with the community and visitors please send them via our contact page or to info@visitconsett.co.uk
22
Apr
2020
Durham Community Tennis Partnership Head Coach helps frontline practitioners with PPE
Durham Community Tennis Partnership Head Coach helps frontline practitioners with PPE What do you do to fill your days when you are a furloughed tennis coach, used to being on court every day and evening? The answer for one Co. Durham coach was easy, put your 3D printer to use, when not making tennis racquet parts, why not have a go at making face masks for front line workers in care homes and surgeries who are struggling to get hold of personal protective equipment. Sam Stokoe, who is employed by DCTP and is the Head Coach at Durham Moor, Chilton, Bishop Auckland and Lanchester Tennis Clubs heard of the problems currently being experienced in G.P. surgeries and care homes from his aunt who is a retired nurse practitioner, now back working to help the increased demand on the N.H.S. so he decided to do something about it. Sam set to, to make some masks for a G.P. surgery, word soon spread and he has now made over 750 masks which have been distributed to GP.s and care homes across Durham as well as Newcastle and Sunderland After a Facebook appeal for acetate sheets and plastic ribbon for 3D printers, Sam […]
15
Apr
2020
British Cycling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Hodgson
British Cycling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Hodgson. As organiser of one of British road racing’s most iconic and challenging events – the Tour of the Reservoir – Mike contributed an enormous amount to cycling in Britain over many decades, and his loss will be felt by all within the racing community. Speaking on behalf of the organisation, British Cycling President, Bob Howden OBE, said: “I have lost a close friend, and the world of cycling has lost a tremendous servant. Mike had an indomitable spirit and whilst the Tour of the Reservoir was one of the toughest races on the calendar, he was always looking to do more with the formula, in search of being bigger and better. “As a fellow organiser I had tremendous admiration for Mike’s commitment, which was in spite of his underlying health issues, and I would often reflect as to whether I could ever achieve that level of fortitude should I be in the same position – invariably the answer would be a resounding ‘no’. “I won’t be alone in regretting that this terrible virus prevents me from saying my goodbyes at the funeral of a true friend. I […]
22
Mar
2020
The Rugby season is over…
The Rugby season is over. It may have been officially cut short, but it has been a remarkable effort by the players at Consett RFC who contributed week in week out to maintain a 100% record, 22 games 22 victories! There can’t be too many teams across the country who have wrapped up their league championship by the middle of March with a 100% record. Thanks to official Club photographer George Ledger we have pictures of the presentation of the League Championship Shield by Mark Short representing our main sponsor Amethyst Homes. Receiving the trophy is Captain Courageous, Connor Petch, who gives 100% every week and has played all 22 games along with the other 100%’r Dave Adams. It remains to be seen what will happen following the current crisis but, ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’, and I’m sure whatever the RFU decide to do with the leagues the lads will be up for the challenge and all our players will be ‘champing at the bit’ to get back on the field. Finally, you can check out all the accurate 1st team squad statistics https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/consett/teams/28999/statistics revealing the 100% record with an average of 40.4 points per game scored and […]
20
Mar
2020
Consett Cycling Festival to be rescheduled as a late-Summer celebration
Consett Cycling Festival to be rescheduled as a late-Summer celebration Organisers have decided to reschedule Consett’s popular cycling festival to protect public wellbeing – but have vowed to make it a vibrant celebration later in the year. The now-annual event attracts international professional cyclists to Derwentside for the gruelling Tour of the Reservoir, together with a community festival that attracted 10,000 visitors last year. This year, the organisers – Consett regeneration body the Project Genesis Trust – had planned the festival for 31 May, with even more free events to be held in the town. But Chair John O’Connor said rescheduling was a necessary and responsible measure – and could even have positive effects. “It’s disappointing, of course, but the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors has to be our number one priority,” he said. “We had more than 10,000 visitors to the festival in 2019, together with 1,000 cyclists, supporters and spectators, and we were confident that the May event would attract even more.” Undaunted, the organisers hope that the cycle event and the community festival will both take place in September. “Looking on the positive side, we’ll have even more time to come up with ideas […]
3
Mar
2020
Consett Cycle Festival is back – bigger and better than ever!
A community festival that attracted elite international pro cyclists and over 10,000 visitors to Consett last year is going ahead again – and this year, it’s going to be even bigger! Last year’s Consett Cycle Festival was a huge success, boosting the local economy by more than £1m. And now the organisers have announced that the 2020 festival will take place on Sunday the 31st May – and once again it will be completely free for visitors and spectators. Sponsored by Consett regeneration body Project Genesis Trust, last year’s event built on the nationally renowned Tour of the Reservoir by extending the usual course so that competitors started and finished in the town centre. The British Cycling Elite Category race was seen over 10 million viewers on Eurosport and national TV networks. John O’Connor, Project Genesis Trust Chair, said: “We built a whole community festival around the cycling, and it was a massive hit with local people and professional cyclists. “So we’ve decided to make this year’s festival even bigger and better, and we’re already planning a range of events built around the top-class cycling that everyone can enjoy.” The idea for the 2020 festival has already won support from […]
20
Feb
2020
Empire Theatre to receive a £500,000 upgrade
A popular theatre in County Durham is set to receive significant investment to carry out improvement works. Durham County Council will invest over £500,000 to upgrade Consett’s Empire Theatre which will see a number of improvements made to the building. The project will involve refreshing the décor of the theatre’s auditorium, enhancements to the stage and lighting, and improving backstage facilities for visiting acts. There will also be essential repairs made to the roof and cosmetic updates to the café and Box Office areas. Empire Theatre’s upgrade means the 500-capacity venue will close temporarily from Wednesday 1 April and will re-open in early September with an exciting new programme of Autumn shows and events. Cllr Joy Allen, Cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism, said: “The Empire Theatre is a popular venue and is the heart of Consett for live theatre, the latest blockbusters, cultural events, and as a place to unwind at its café. “These improvements will give the venue a real boost so it can continue as a hub for family-friendly entertainment when it re-opens in the Autumn season.” Tickets for upcoming shows will still be available to purchase in advance during the closure, either online at the […]
20
Feb
2020
Project Genesis Supporting Our Community
The Project Genesis Trust works hard to support the local community. Here is a photo of the recent donation to: St Johns Players
22
Jan
2020
Project Genesis Supporting Our Community
The Project Genesis Trust works hard to support the local community. Here are photos of the recent donations to: Consett & District Photographic Society Red Dust Company Choir Lanchester Table Tennis Club
30
Nov
2019
Land of Oak and Iron
A group of volunteers are setting up as Land of Oak & Iron Trust. They have already achieved some brilliant work, including a Heritage Orienteering project around Blackhill and Consett Park (all fresher students from Derwentside College, plus pupils from 3 local primary schools working together); bringing Tales of Derwentdale and Men of Iron back into print, and a fantastic mapping project where 30 people are involved in digitising changes to the area over time. Next spring the group will be bringing back to life ‘Thread of Iron’ by Douglas Vernon https://helensteadman.com/2016/11/12/literature-review-4-thread-of-iron-by-douglas-vernon-a-definitive-history-of-shotley/10983141/ This will be in Consett, possibly the library. The timing is of course linked to the 40th year anniversary of the closure of the steelworks. Susan is the main contact for this on our team and can pass on details to you.
12
Nov
2019
Project Genesis Supporting Our Community
The Project Genesis Trust works hard to support the local community. Here are a few photos of cheques being presented to some amazing local groups.
11
Nov
2019
Steel that nobody else in the world could match
Consett Iron Company made Spring steel that nobody else in the world could match – they were famous for their Spring steel – made from the waters of the River Derwent. They exported their steel all over the world! I worked for CIC for 8 years, and was the Shipping Invoice Clerk. I had to copy type Proforma’s, Bills of Lading, Import and Export invoices in the language of the recipient country so I know how far the steel was exported all over the world! Dorman Long from Middlesbrough built Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia using Consett Iron Company steel. The first Polaris submarine was built with CIC steel, and the Empress of Canada ship. It is ironic that I lived my life in all three of these countries: England, Australia and Canada. Nancy Steel
Send us your local news
If you have an image to accompany your post please email it to info@visitconsett.co.uk.
Durham Community Tennis Partnership Head Coach helps frontline practitioners with PPE
April 22, 2020
Durham Community Tennis Partnership Head Coach helps frontline practitioners with PPE What do you do to fil
British Cycling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Hodgson
April 15, 2020
British Cycling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Hodgson. As organiser of one of British ro
The Rugby season is over...
March 22, 2020
The Rugby season is over. It may have been officially cut short, but it has been a remarkable effort by