We are always happy to promote partners and community activity and events in line with our vision. Please contact us if there is something you would like us to promote
County Durham’s Elusive Dormouse.
A connection between opera and dormice is not one that readily springs to mind, but in 2014 a connection was made when opera company D’Oyley Carte generously gave Durham Wildlife Trust a grant of £3000 to train volunteers, not only to put up dormice boxes and tubes, but to also monitor these for signs of… Read more
Forging Ahead – 20 April 2020
In this week’s newsletter read about one of the many projects still being developed in readiness for the re-opening of the Heritage Centres and take a look at the Celebration Event held earlier this year. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, please tag us and share any interesting photographs… Read more
A threaded walk in the Land of Oak & Iron
Rowlands Gill Primary Crafts Group began with a banner … in 2012, Rowlands Gill Primary PTA asked a small group of school volunteers to produce a banner for the school hall to celebrate the community. The project was so enjoyable that the volunteers decided to continue meeting and making things together as a means of… Read more
Forging Ahead – 10 April 2020
The natural world around us is awakening and carrying on as normal, whilst typing this I am watching the blue tits taking nesting material into their box in the garden – make the most of spring and discover birds, bees and butterflies while relaxing in your garden or out on your daily exercise. With needing… Read more
The Muggleswick Gate
On a spring day last April, volunteers from the Land of Oak & Iron woodland team made their way to the wilds of Muggleswick – why you might ask? Well, they were there because Durham County Council had asked if they would like to help work on a project replacing some stiles and gates… Read more
Forging Ahead – 6 April 2020
With our clocks springing forward and hour into British Summer Time – it may feel like we have lost a precious hour’s sleep each morning and start the day feeling a little more sleepy, but we can now welcome lighter evenings and hopefully warmer weather – its also good to hear the birds and see… Read more
The Oak Beam Knee Project
Some months ago, Noel Adamson and Colin Douglas from the Land of Oak & Iron Trust, were discussing the role the Derwent Valley played in building wooden sailing ships – in particular, the supply of oak and ironware to the shipbuilding ports on the south coast of England and particularly Greenwich on the Thames. From… Read more
Thread of Iron – Coming Soon
Our Publications Group, who are part of the Land of Oak & Iron Trust, have been working hard in recent months to bring another ‘lost’ book back to life. After the success of ‘Men of Iron’ and ‘Tales of Derwentdale’, the group turned their attention to ‘Thread of Iron’ by Douglas Vernon of Shotley Bridge,… Read more
Forging Ahead – 30 March 2020
With many of our normal daily activities on hold due to the current situation – we now have time to slow down a little and appreciate the simpler things in life, such as the beautiful nature and wildlife to be found in our green spaces, woodlands and back gardens. Stay connected with nature when you’re… Read more
Newsletter archive
We like to think we offer an opportunity to travel back in time by visiting the Land of Oak & Iron and seeing our heritage sites for yourself. Maybe you’ve dug up the past at one of our archaeology digs or been transported to a long ago era of noisy industrial activity at one of… Read more