Consett Magazine proudly marks a major milestone — our 150th issue the magazine has become a true community cornerstone packed with stories that matter to Consett we celebrate the life of Joyce Shaw alongside part 4 of her “Teaching in the 60s” series We spotlight local luminaries George Bayles while exploring developments in Consett’s hospital debate Join us as we honour our dedicated local charities and remember those whose contributions have forever enriched our community Whether you’re participating in our “Every Town Has Secrets” spotlight or drawn in by Consett Lions and Rotary Club news this issue celebrates our town – thanks to you County Durham and surrounding areas including Blackhill Join us in celebrating the 150th issue of Consett’s local news magazine – bringing you authentic local stories and all the great stuff happening within our community Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tell Your Story Advertise in Print Advertise Online the number of houses has been reduced from an initially proposed 200 and will consist of a mix of two- the land was previously used for agricultural purposes and is close to a number of other approved development sites in the Consett area near Templetown such as Miller Homes’ 288-home development on land north of Delves Lane Read more we believe that sharing positive news stories about successful businesses in County Durham is important for fostering a supportive and thriving business community We want to encourage business owners to send us their success stories so that we can share them on our website and celebrate their achievements We are committed to promoting the county as a great place to do business and providing a platform for businesses to showcase their successes +44 (0) 3000 261 261  enquiries@businessdurham.co.uk Starting a business Growing a business Moving a business Business premises About Business Durham Latest News Business Events Privacy Policy Contact Us social housing provider Karbon Homes joined forces with Unite Club and The HUB Consett to run a free fully inclusive programme throughout the two-week school break movies and more.The sessions were hosted by a team of people specialising in supporting ND/SEND children and includes support sessions for parents/carers.Michael and Lynn brought their granddaughter to all the SEND sessions over the Easter break: “These SEND sessions are absolutely ideal and our granddaughter has really been able to be herself relaxed environment and the team running the activities understand the children’s needs and support them which is brilliant.“We’ve never done anything like this before but we would recommend it to other parents and carers with ND or SEND children We don’t get many opportunities to look after our own wellbeing but here we’ve felt supported Our granddaughter is happy and more confident which means we can relax and feel happy too.” Karbon Homes has been running Holiday Squad since 2021 offering a range of free activities for children of primary school age The provision is supported by Durham County Council’s Fun and Food County Durham and the sessions come with a free meal.Feedback from parents on previous Holiday Squad sessions highlighted a gap in the provision of fully inclusive sessions which led to the development of this year’s programme.Paul Moralee Karbon Homes’ Community Investment Manager “While our early Holiday Squad activities were aimed at being SEND friendly feedback told us that they didn’t always fully cater to some SEND children’s needs We noticed higher no-show rates amongst SEND children.“We did a lot of work speaking to parents and practitioners to find out what activities they would like to see and what the sessions would look like and calling parents to discuss the activities.“We’ve now partnered with Unite Club The HUB and Fun and Food County Durham to make these SEND activities a reality and we’re excited to see both children and parents enjoy them.” Unite Club is an inclusive project offering families an autistic/ADHD advocate based in Northumberland “My passion is creating inclusive spaces and supporting the community to embrace and understand neurodivergence.“Being able to work with Karbon Homes The HUB and Durham County Council to help bring fun SEND friendly activities to even more families is fantastic I hope this is just the beginning of more activities like this in the North East and beyond.” The HUB Consett is a café and a shop owned and operated by Celebrate Difference – a social enterprise set up to support neurodivergent people in business “We’re thrilled to be hosting these SEND friendly activities with Unite and Karbon It can be hard to find activities that support SEND children and often they can be left feeling excluded Having these Holiday Squad events lets them meet new people and have loads of fun in a way that feels comfortable It also gives parents the reassurance that their children are in safe hands.” The SEND friendly Holiday Squad sessions are funded by Karbon Homes and Durham County Council’s Fun and Food County Durham through the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities Fund The Consett Comedy Festival is back with a bang for 2025 and family-friendly fun from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th May The festival kicks off on Thursday 1st May with the New Act/New Material Night offering audiences the chance to discover the next big comedy stars from the North East and unpredictable brilliance in this intimate showcase famed for his razor-sharp one-liners on Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week promising a packed night of top-tier stand-up families can enjoy a riotous performance from Newcastle panto legends Danny Adams Known for their CBBC show Danny & Mick and Cirque Du Hilarious whose journey from new act to main stage MC is a highlight of the festival’s spirit Why head home when you can stay for the full experience Festivalgoers are invited to bring a motorhome or tent and stay on-site from just £20 for the entire weekend the Consett Comedy Festival offers comfort and convenience along with first-class entertainment For full details and tickets, visit www.consettcomedy.co.uk Really need to find out who books this for next year would love to come back to Consett and perform where i grew up Persimmon’s proposal for a significant 170-home residential development in Templetown situated on 29 acres east of Knitsley Lane and Fern Dene is to be considered by Durham County Council on Friday and has been recommended for approval The project includes a mix of two- to five-bedroom homes and is designed to address local housing needs The approval of the scheme comes amid concerns from residents over potential traffic issues Delves Lane councillor Angela Sterling acknowledged these concerns “Residents are worried the Dales View estate could become a rat run to avoid the Consett traffic The speeding on the estate is already a pain for people.” Councillor Sterling emphasised the importance of collaboration Our role is to get the best development we can for the people of the ward.” Objections from residents included worries about increased traffic on Knitsley Lane and the absence of a dedicated bus service for the new estate suggested additional road signage and passing places to mitigate potential safety risks The development has drawn mixed reactions from the community Some residents raised concerns about traffic “Consett hasn’t got the infrastructure for yet more housing or the services.” Others fear the impact on beloved local spaces “They’re taking all of our green space from us Councillor Angela Sterling acknowledged these issues but urged collaboration to achieve the best outcome Project Genesis Drives Regeneration in Consett with Housing and Community Developments The development is part of a wider wave of regeneration efforts in the Consett area with Project Genesis—a joint venture between Durham County Council and Dysart Developments—playing a significant role Project Genesis has proposed a 129-home scheme west of Knitsley Lane and previously secured approval for a mixed-use development south of Puddlers Corner Roundabout These projects aim to balance housing demand with infrastructure and community needs such as addressing infrastructure concerns and ensuring community needs are met this development marks a significant step in Consett’s ongoing growth and regeneration the project aims to contribute positively to the area’s future Addressing local housing issues would be more social and affordable housing instead these houses will be out of the reach of most people living in and around Consett and will no doubt put extra strain on the already ancient and no longer fit for purpose infrastructure We need the housing but we need the sewage system telephone lines to be updated first and let’s not mention how many power cuts this part of the country has per year Jakki Blueitt Yep I’ve heard it all before 🙁 Anyone else been involved in or have insight to the Local Plan We’re not going to get infrastructure we’re a dormitory/commuter down for Durham/Newcastle Don’t need any more bloody houses around here They need to work on the infrastructure of Consett to accommodate all the new homes we have now FFS What about more schools doctors hospitals dentists to accommodate all these new housing estates popping up all over It looks as though Consett is being used to build as many houses as possible because of a shortfall of houses needed just because it has lovely countryside around it which is what we are going to lose if you see how many houses are being built here even stopping people who have already bought houses because of the view which is being taken away from them I laugh when the new school wasn’t built where works were because of danger there might be in the soil but didn’t stop houses being built there If I said what I think the gestpo would be on my door Renowned local printmaker Mike Pinkney has unveiled two striking new works, now on display at the Land of Oak & Iron exhibition These limited edition prints offer a vivid representation of Consett’s rich industrial heritage and natural beauty The first piece, titled “Land of Oak & Iron,” showcases the iconic Nine Arches Viaduct with Gibside’s Column to Liberty standing proudly in the background symbolizing the area’s thriving wildlife A steam train pulling iron ore wagons to Consett pays homage to the region’s industrial past creating a harmonious blend of nature and industry “Consett Works,” the second print features the familiar wagon still visible on the outskirts of Consett Through the bold lettering of “Consett,” a faint silhouette of the old steelworks emerges evoking memories of the town’s iconic industrial skyline The striking use of red in the print is a poignant reminder of the glowing red skies that were once a hallmark of Consett during slag tipping Pinkney has generously pledged to donate all proceeds from the sale of these limited edition prints to Land of Oak & Iron further supporting local heritage initiatives 4th May at the Land of Oak & Iron gallery Art enthusiasts and local history buffs alike are encouraged to visit and experience these powerful visual narratives of Consett’s past and present The decision marks a positive step towards regenerating the area and boosting the local economy The new Farmfoods store will be built in partnership with local developer Project Genesis on a site steeped in history the area featured cooling ponds and sidings and was in industrial use until around 1980 leaving a gap in the local landscape that is now set to be revitalized Local officials have expressed strong support for the project “Not only would this bring a lovely shopping amenity and jobs but it would finish off that whole area rather nicely It’s the only real bit that is still undeveloped.” The feasibility study of the proposal concluded that the impact on the town center would be “very limited,” with trade expected to be drawn mainly from the existing Morrisons and Tesco stores outside the town center.In 2017 plans for a 65-room hotel and function suite on the site were approved but construction never commenced and the planning permission has since lapsed The addition of Farmfoods is expected to fill this developmental void effectively Strategically located and easily accessible from Consett town center and surrounding areas the new store will be accompanied by existing businesses such as a McDonald’s drive-through and Franks flooring shop Councillor Alex Watson of Consett North commented on the development “It can do nothing else but enhance the area It will help with regeneration and boost footfall A joint statement from Farmfoods and Project Genesis mentioned their proactive work with the council to advance this development “proposed food store will not harm the vitality and viability of Consett town center as it is a specialist retailer of frozen foods; their range of non-frozen food goods is limited by comparison to other food stores; the proposed development will bring new investment to Consett.” The planning committee’s unanimous approval of the planning application is a testament to the broad support for the project which promises to bring new life and economic opportunities to the region As Consett looks forward to the opening of the new Farmfoods store the community anticipates not only an increase in shopping options and job opportunities but also a significant boost in the area’s overall development and attractiveness This project is a crucial step in continuing the positive momentum of growth and regeneration in Consett and its surroundings This is the third year that The Hub has sponsored the neurodiversity umbrella project.The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project has created a network of thousands of umbrellas spread across schools workspaces and public areas to represent the one in five people who experience Neurodivergence dyspraxia or one of the many other conditions that fall under the umbrella of Neurodivergence.This allows conversations to start about Neurodiversity and how it can affect different people gives space to help educate those who may not have had the opportunity to learn and indicates the space is safe for Neurodivergent folk “As our team is around 80% (ish) Neurodivergent and supports over 150 Neurodivergent business owners through Access to Work as well as over 100 young people through our Learn Grow Thrive programme we love having this visual display in our HQ (and café) It lets people who wander in for a cuppa know that they are safe and supported and that they can unmask and be themselves in our space A massive thank you to our umbrella sponsors and the people of Consett who come in to chat about the brollies Following Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s recent visit to the proposed site for Consett’s new hospital the conversation online has been quite active In response to our article covering the visit many local people have shared their views across Consett Magazine’s Facebook page and other local community and social media groups and deeply personal—reflecting just how important this development is to the people of Consett Many locals have welcomed the announcement as a long-overdue investment in Consett’s healthcare “Great news for Consett… Shotley has been a brilliant hospital but sadly is no longer fit for purpose A new hospital will keep the services but in a brand new building.” – Andy P There’s recognition that something needed to be done—but not everyone is convinced the proposed plans go far enough One of the most common concerns is that the new facility may offer fewer services than Shotley Bridge Hospital currently provides “How can you uplift local healthcare by taking away services?” – Jason B.“Same services will it 😅” – Danielle N.“No A&E… this area needs one.” – Dawny G.“Did he explain how having only 16 beds will work?” – Sharon Y Others questioned how the hospital could possibly maintain the same services in a smaller building Shotley Bridge holds a special place in the hearts of many residents—and there’s clear frustration that more wasn’t done to preserve or upgrade the original building There was nothing wrong with Shotley Bridge Progress these days is measured by going backwards.” – Allen A R.“Why not spend the money to do it up?” – Alec M Several people blamed years of underinvestment and a lack of forward planning for the current situation With the hospital no longer based in Shotley Bridge some residents are asking what it should be called It won’t be in Shotley Bridge.” – Lynne L.“Could we ask the community to help choose a name?” – Andy P.“Call it The Borrowers—it’s only big enough for them.” – Joanne N These comments show that people care about the legacy and future identity of healthcare in the area—and want to be part of the conversation one thing is clear: people care deeply about local healthcare in Consett and want to be heard The new hospital is a significant investment—but it must meet the real needs of the community 👇 Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on our Facebook page Your feedback could be featured in a future article 📌 Image Disclaimer:The featured image is an generated artist impression created purely for illustrative purposes only It does not represent final designs or official planning visuals for the proposed Hospital Consultations were done in 2019 throughout the area bit late in the day now for people to be complaining about what the hospital will be or where to be honest I’ll be honest: when I saw the question “What does Consett need?” on social media We’ve been asking the same thing for years But the more I thought about it—and after scrolling through the mountain of comments—I realised something And we’re all sitting here asking for the same things but doing nothing about it had to take TWO buses to Sunderland for an eye appointment last week waiting for this magical hospital like it’s going to fix everything so what are we supposed to do in the meantime Something—anything—to make life a bit easier Everyone keeps saying we need better shops—Primark I’d love a decent shop where I don’t have to spend a fortune just to buy a pair of socks But look around: our high street is what it is because we’ve let it get that way Every time we shop online because it’s “easier,” we’re hammering another nail into Middle Street’s coffin But if we don’t start using the shops we do have Unless your teenager loves football or the cinema what else is there?We keep saying we need a youth club or places for them to hang out Is it fair to expect “someone else” to fix this maybe we should be the ones trying to organise something I’d much rather see my kids at a local club than bored and scrolling on their phones all weekend Trying to get anywhere from Consett feels like a mission impossible A metro link to Newcastle would be amazing but we can’t even get buses that turn up on time What if we started carpool groups or put more pressure on bus companies to fix this Complaining won’t get us anywhere (literally) We can sit here listing all the things Consett needs until the cows come home but unless we start doing something about it Shop locally instead of online?Volunteer at a local group or start one?Offer lifts to people who need to get to hospital appointments?I know life’s busy we’d see big changes faster than waiting for someone else to fix it But what it really needs is us—its people—to stop complaining and start acting And let’s start building the Consett we actually want to live in Our website uses cookies to provide additional functionality You currently have cookies blocked so will have limited access to some features on the website Empire Consett is reopening following essential roof repairs Visitors will be able to enjoy the venue's café alongside showings of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in the cinema Tickets for the Tim Burton sequel starring Michael Keaton are available for just £5 with five tickets for £20 also on offer including a maximum of three adults The film will also be available to parents and guardians with babies under one To find out more about the upcoming theatre and cinema programme and to book online, visit Empire Theatre and Cinema our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships said: "We're so pleased to see Empire Consett reopening to the public "The venue has been providing entertainment to theatregoers and cinema lovers for over 100 years Following the completion of these essential works it will continue to provide top quality shows and performances for many years to come further enhancing our reputation as the Culture County "Visitors can now look forward to an exciting line up of entertainment this autumn in a comfortable and safe venue and we look forward to welcoming guests back." The first theatre production to be staged following the reopening will be CBS Theatre Group's The Full Monty which runs from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 October Empire Consett will then host a programme of live music ballet and comedy throughout its autumn season which also sees the return of Leah Bell in the venue's 2024 pantomime starring Coronation Street's Kevin Kennedy and Benidorm's Crissy Rock The venue is open 10am to 3pm from Tuesday to Saturday with later opening times for cinema screenings and theatre performances the company is now bringing its 5-star rated drainage expertise to homes and businesses across County Durham Pipeline Drainage Solutions has earned its reputation by delivering reliable results The company offers a full suite of drainage services The expansion into Consett reflects growing demand for professional trusted drainage support throughout the region Pipeline’s Newcastle-based team is known for same-day response and an unbeatable track record of customer satisfaction – reflected in hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google “Consett is a thriving town and we’re excited to now offer our award-winning service to the community,” said a spokesperson from Pipeline Drainage Solutions “We’ve built our business by being transparent and customer-focused – and we’re proud to now bring that same energy to homes and businesses in Consett.” Pipeline Drainage Solutions was recently named the Best Drain Company in the North East by a leading plumbing industry platform Residents and businesses in Consett can now benefit from the same trusted service that has made Pipeline the go-to name for drainage in Newcastle With no hidden charges and fixed pricing starting from just £85 Pipeline continues to raise the bar for drainage support in the North East Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Pipeline Drainage Solutions is an independent, family-run drainage company serving residential and commercial clients across the North East. The company is known for fast response times, transparent pricing, and award-winning customer care. For more information, visit www.pipeline-drainage.co.uk in a 'dream come true' moment.A Consett man who started a pizza business in a trailer has opened his first restaurant in the town in a 'dream come true' moment.Giddy Goose Pizza opened on Newmarket Street in Consett on April 12 the business had been operating out of a trailer to great success with a perfect five-star rating on Google Reviews Read more Consett is about to become the stage for a right old dust-up over some houses but 71 of the buggers on what used to be a steelworks Because nothing says “prime real estate” quite like the ghost of industry past a local development firm with a name that sounds like it should be launching rockets instead of building houses had this brilliant idea to plonk down a mix of two They probably thought they’d be hailed as heroes Durham County Council took one look at these plans and said sunshine.” They reckoned it’d make the roads even more of a nightmare than they already are It’s like voluntarily choosing to be stuck behind a caravan on a country lane they weren’t having any of it either “No thanks.” They’re quite fond of walking their dogs there was worried about whether she’d be safe in her garden due to the “toxic” land who doesn’t want their begonias with a side of heavy metals Project Genesis not ones to take “no” for an answer They reckon it’s the only way to “ensure thorough exploration of the available evidence.” Translation: “We’re going to argue until you give in or we all die of old age.” Consett is gearing up for the showdown of the century armed with blueprints and promises of a “highly sustainable location.” In the other Will Consett get 71 new homes or keep its dog-walking paradise Will Anne Bowen ever feel safe in her garden again Think they’ve sold every phase of housing by telling the buyers no more homes would be built in front of their own countryside views only to have a new phase of homes being built right where they said they wouldn’t Mark Jones unless you own whats directly in front of your house you have no real control of what happens to it in the future Mark Jones it wasnt lack of space that stopped the academy going there…bearing in mind it was built well before a lot of the phases…personally I wouldnt want a house on the works..hearing the rumours of whats underneath and seeing what they did dig up Philip Price as I said talking through your backside find the original development plans then talk as if you know Obviously a friend of Mr Muter and Mr Clarke who have over the years filed there pockets as directors of Genesis Project land that was Trusted for the benefit of people of Consett Tons of Blue Asbestos buried and hidden away on the site should bring some interesting litigation in the future when all of those that have fed their pockets will have long gone Philip Price I know those that worked on demolition of steel works and buried it 3 tons got dumped down a mine shaft far side of Durham when they got caught rest was buried in clay lined pit on site there’s a map in County Hall was originally at Derwentside Council it shows all the hot spots of stuff that was burieds somewhere I have a copy from when I was part of CPRE will have to start digging out all the paperwork I have If you’ve bought a property off the new development here you’ll be surrounded by more as the new development carries on Interesting to know who is behind project genesis Johnny Sunderland Look them up on the Companies House website None of the houses built on the steel company site should have been built The land was supposed to have been used to enhance the lives of the people of consett How many against the building live in Templetown or on Berry Edge ?…personally I d have preferred the entire site left as a Country Park Melanie Bowman I’m sure that’s originally what project Genesis stated was going to happen but money talks Philip Price Talking through your backside you obviously never seen the original development plans David Clark hopefully gets the same result as the incinerator Brigade want their idea of eutopia to be unaltered by development of any kind even if development was always the plan but they didn’t research the area enough before moving to Consett As if we didn’t know that was in the planning……can’t imagine it will be the last extension either Loo ad see if rah has anything to do with this project – then ok at the names of the shareholders of said company – you will not be surprised !!!! Gary Dodd let’s see what happens eh… Gary Dodd ask Gavin Stocker to hold one end of it…. Nimbys out in force and the obligatory hate monger Can we have a 6 day public enquiry into the original promises made by Project Genisis and the fact they’ve lied to sell off all the land for housing instead With non of the original plans or promises made Against the wishes of the people off Consett Without a suitable infrastructure to support the extra housing and population I’m sure i saw somewhere people suggesting to boycott anyone or businesses involved with project genisis Is there a list of people/business’s that have links to project genisis that can be boycotted/avoided in protest Investigation into those people running Project Genesis would be more appropriate who are these people who elected them did they just decide themselves – it’s time to say STOP we are full and without any investment into infrastructure nothing else should be built pay outs in briefcases and good old fashioned graft Totally agree they have agreed for company’s to build on every bit of green area we have doctors and dentist totally full time to stop Always put bungalows in an out of the way place I service bus a day there unless you have a car your stuck if you can’t walk far Sandra Mawson then they do the endless funny joke of having a garage just slightly too small to fit a car in They should be building industrial estates I know they took the full catheter bag and started spraying back in our faces with how many broken promises they have gone through at this point Leadgate, a small village in County Durham, has produced its fair share of remarkable individuals. Among them stands Alan Turner, affectionately known as ‘Big Al‘ a true son of Leadgate who has left an indelible mark on the world of powerlifting Born and raised in the village, Alan’s journey took him from the Royal Navy to becoming a powerlifting legend. His crowning achievement came in the form of Big Al’s Gym, which he opened 35 years ago in the old Coop building in Leadgate this gym served as a cornerstone of the community nurturing strength and determination in countless individuals Alan’s own strength is nothing short of extraordinary European and World Powerlifting Records and Championships His prowess was on full display at the GB 2024 championships where he achieved clean sweeps across multiple categories cementing his status as a powerlifting icon December 2024 marked the end of an era as Big Al’s Gym closed its doors due to changes in the building’s lease this setback hasn’t dampened Alan’s spirit He plans to continue training and competing now based at Ruthless Fitness Gym in nearby Stanley Whilst Alan’s feats of strength are widely known This powerlifting champion is also a keen didgeridoo player keeping one of these Australian instruments in his gym office – a quirky detail that adds depth to his already fascinating character His journey from a village lad to a world record holder serves as a testament to the strength of character and determination that runs deep in the veins of Leadgate’s sons and daughters The first ever Salvation Army band which played its first concert on Christmas Day 1879 in Consett The church and charity is synonymous with brass bands and it was the Consett Band in the former mining town which started it all.  Today the band has more than 30 members and will be celebrating its landmark birthday with an exhibition on Saturday 30 November followed by an evening concert at The Salvation Army hall in Sherburn Terrace.  The band will also be playing at various locations throughout the festive period including at Durham Cathedral on Thursday 12 December at 7.30pm.  said: “We would love you to join us to celebrate 145 years of Consett Salvation Army Band It was right here that history was made with the first ever Salvation Army brass band playing on Christmas Day 145 years ago When people think of The Salvation Army they think of the brass bands “Our band is still going strong today with around 30 members young and old Music is a huge part of the church and our mission Consett Salvation Army Community Mission Facilitator whose father was a bandmaster in the 1970s shared some of the history of the Consett Band.  He said: “Consett was pioneering in many ways not only for having the first band but our first officers were two young women in their twenties which was built on the iron and steel works was known as the ‘the wild west of the north’ but they had great success here thanks in part to the creation of the band.  who gathered three fellow converts George Storey Robert Greenwood and Jimmy Simpson and told them that they were going to start a brass band to support the work of The Salvation Army Brass bands were a big part of the mining communities back then J Murphy and Jack Greenwood and played their first public concert on Christmas Day in December 1879.  “It was the very first time a brass band made up of members of a Salvation Army had played anything anywhere in the world By Christmas of 1880 the band had more than doubled in size and was already making a name for itself They played all over the country and by the beginning of the 20th Century were known to be one of the best bands in The Salvation Army world.  meaning hundreds of children and young people in Consett had the chance to learn to read music and play an instrument Many members went on to play in the senior band “The band also attracted some famous Salvation Army names to visit including founder General William Booth and Commissioner Frederick Booth-Tucker In more recent years the Salvation Army at Consett has had visits from Lt Colonel Norman Bearcroft a great name in Salvation Army music.  first under the leadership of my father David Jackson the band and its mission developed to meet a changing world but never forgot it’s Christian mission and primary purpose It was during that decade that the band made several visits to prisons across the north including Lancaster and Durham and went on a trip to Belfast during the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland “Thank you to all of those who have helped make Consett Band what it is today to those who you were willing to follow in their footsteps right down to the current group we have today Thank you for your musical service and helping to ensure that Consett Salvation Army can continue to serve the wider community.”  The exhibition will be running all day Saturday from 10am and the free concert will start at 6.30pm Consett Salvation Army runs a number of activities throughout the week from toddler groups to lunch clubs and social events as well as Sunday Worship. They will also be hosting events throughout December to celebrate Christmas and are collecting presents as part of the Christmas Present Appeal which provides gifts to children whose families struggle to make ends meet. For more information search for them on Facebook. Your kindness can make a difference to the lives of vulnerable people this Christmas. With your support, please give a gift today to change someone’s life. Copyright © The Salvation Army 2025 The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity in England (214779), Wales (214779), Scotland (SC009359) and the Republic of Ireland (CHY6399) The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters, 1 Champion Park, London, SE5 8FJ​​ The hugely talented husband and wife team are currently touring the region with Songs of the North East, a charming, humorous and poignant evening of songs that celebrate our special part of the world. The show features songs from local writers old and new – from Joe Wilson to Sting and from Eric Boswell to Mark Knopfler. Local poet and playwright Tom Kelly, and writer and producer Graeme Thompson MBE have developed the show and written the clever script which threads the songs together. To a background of film and still photographs Graeme’s rich bass voice and Valerie’s perfect mezzo-soprano easily filled the Consett Empire, wrapping an appreciative audience in a warm hug of nostalgia. The juxtaposition of music and slides was particularly effective and moving during Deep Into The Ground from Billy Elliot - sung in front of photographs of mines long closed and pitmen long gone. Valerie’s version of Blow the Wind Southerly and a brilliant, emotional version of the stunning Only Remembered produced similarly strong emotions, tugging at the heartstrings while never getting overly sentimental. The songs portrayed the region’s best-known heavy industries – shipbuilding and mining – as they were, and not as romanticised versions of what were harsh working conditions. The show will tour a number of venues across the regionBut the show is more than just a heartfelt echo of the past. There’s plenty of humour, especially when Graeme or Valerie are performing numbers from Eric Boswell’s prolific songbook. The couple were great friends of Boswell, and last year went on the road with a show purely focused on his songs. For this show the pair milked the humour of Boswell’s A Geordie Love Song and Playing Hard to Get for all they were worth, while the Social Security Waltz was a particular joy. It helps that both Graeme and Valerie are natural storytellers and their diction and delivery superb, ensuring each word and nuance are perfectly clear. Pianist Andrew Richardson is also a vital part of the show, providing perfect accompaniment and even joining in the singing. Further highlights for me were the haunting Water of Tyne and the brilliant Sally Wheatley and Katie Was There. Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid (Right) with accompanist and arranger Andrew Richardson The Consett Empire helped provide an intimate atmosphere It was like a night with friends and family - indeed there were several members of Consett-born Graeme’s family in the audience His link with his hometown was emphasised further when Graeme dedicated Rap er Ta Bank to Joyce Shaw a stalwart of Consett’s music scene who died recently aged 80 Joyce was particularly known as a choir leader for Consett Citizens Choir The hugely enjoyable evening closed with two Geordie standards – Keep Ya Feet Still and Blaydon Races with the audience providing the chorus with real gusto echoing the passion that Graeme and Valerie clearly have for the north east Writers Graeme Thompson MBE and Tom Kelly are adapting the show for a couple of venues with minor amendments made to localise the script and set list for ultra-local audiences Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid perform Songs of the North EastThey may be international opera singers, but Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid\u2019s latest show will warm the hearts of very local audiences. The show features songs from local writers old and new \u2013 from Joe Wilson to Sting and from Eric Boswell to Mark Knopfler. Local poet and playwright Tom Kelly, and writer and producer Graeme Thompson MBE have developed the show and written the clever script which threads the songs together. To a background of film and still photographs Graeme\u2019s rich bass voice and Valerie\u2019s perfect mezzo-soprano easily filled the Consett Empire, wrapping an appreciative audience in a warm hug of nostalgia. Valerie\u2019s version of Blow the Wind Southerly and a brilliant, emotional version of the stunning Only Remembered produced similarly strong emotions, tugging at the heartstrings while never getting overly sentimental. The songs portrayed the region\u2019s best-known heavy industries \u2013 shipbuilding and mining \u2013 as they were, and not as romanticised versions of what were harsh working conditions. The show will tour a number of venues across the regionBut the show is more than just a heartfelt echo of the past. There\u2019s plenty of humour, especially when Graeme or Valerie are performing numbers from Eric Boswell\u2019s prolific songbook. The couple were great friends of Boswell, and last year went on the road with a show purely focused on his songs. For this show the pair milked the humour of Boswell\u2019s A Geordie Love Song and Playing Hard to Get for all they were worth, while the Social Security Waltz was a particular joy. It was like a night with friends and family - indeed there were several members of Consett-born Graeme\u2019s family in the audience a stalwart of Consett\u2019s music scene who died recently aged 80 The hugely enjoyable evening closed with two Geordie standards \u2013 Keep Ya Feet Still and Blaydon Races Durham at a date to be confirmed in September Get into the festive spirit as the Christmas Market comes to Consett on November 30th there will be plenty of festive treats to explore Visitors can enjoy hot food from a variety of trailers offering burgers and a tempting array of cakes and savory bakes Christmas Market Stalls will be set up in Middle Street, the Derwent Centre, and the Heart and Heritage Centre on John Street who will be greeting children in their grotto at the Heart Centre Santa will also judge children’s artwork displayed on the Heart Centre’s walls with one lucky winner receiving a gift voucher We have got even bigger with 80 + stalls !!Stalls now also in Consett Masonic Hall on the same street as Consett Heart – Heritage and Arts Centre And an array of christmas 🎄 to view at Consett Christmas Tree Festival 2024 We’re excited to welcome Mirrin Alexander as the newest member of the Consett Magazine team Mirrin will be out and about in Consett and across County Durham connecting with local businesses and the wider community Mirrin will be bringing you the latest features and the news that matters most to our readers Whether you’re looking for an interview, a photoshoot, a feature on your business, or an advertorial Mirrin is here to highlight the vibrant people and places that make our area special Keep an eye out for her around town and be sure to say hello We’re thrilled to have her on board and can’t wait to see the stories she’ll bring to life Congratulations…I worked with Mirren a few years back she’s a lovely girl and a pleasure to know,I know she’ll do well in her role