Between 7 -14 September the History of Consett Steelworks Group (HCSW) hosted a week of events to commemorate 140 years of steelmaking in Consett. This was to coincide with the 40th anniversary of closure on 12 September 1980.
As part of this programme we had some fantastic zoom talks from friends and colleagues. We are delighted that everyone agreed to be recorded, and we have posted the recordings here. One more, Women of the Works by Victoria Stevens is being processed and will be posted in due course.
So if you weren’t able to join us live, you can catch up with all these great presentations about the history and people of Consett, and its heart of steel.
If you have any queries or things you’d like us to help you with please email Victoria or Richard here.
Day 1: PEOPLE AND PLACES 1: memories and stories of Consett Iron Company
Victoria Stevens talks about the Women of the Works: women employees at CIC throughout its history and the role they played in keeping production going in times of crisis.
Recording to follow
Day 2: Steel on the Move: the transport infrastructure of Consett
Rob Langham talks about the history of the Stanhope and Tyne Railroad, its significance, architecture and development which supported the ability of Consett to be a major player in steel production throughout its140 year history.
Day 3: PEOPLE and PLACES 2: a community of steel
Join Rob Moran, Richard Judd and Alfred the dog for a tour of the heritage sites of Consett, showing how the heritage of the town is very much in evidence today.
Day 4: Innovators, Illustrators and Creative Consett: inspiration from steel
Dr Jennifer Aston talks about the life and family of William Jenkins, a pivotal figure in the development of CIC and the vital roles his wife and daughters played in his dominance of steel production in the north east.
Day 5: Connecting Now and Then: the steelworks mapping project
Richard Judd talks about how the mapping project will help the current community to connect with their heritage, and how people can get involved.
Day 6: Closure Day
The unveiling ceremony at the memorial to all the brave men and women who gave their lives to produce Consett’s steel and support the workers and their families. The recording is brought to you by our colleagues at Project Genesis who funded the memorial.
Day 7: Bare Metal: taking down 140 years of steel production
Moving and illustrative demolition and renewal stories and images from photographer Julian Germain who chronicled the decline of north east industry in the early 1980s, the impact this had on communities and the essential character of a place made by its people.
History of Consett Steelworks 