What’s on

Booking essential

This 2 day course held at Conkers Life in Hamsterley Mill, will be an opportunity to learn about and practice the skills needed to lay a section of hedge.

The theory and reasons for carrying out this traditional form of hedgerow management will also be covered.  The course will be led by Burt Hunter a highly respected local hedge layer.

Durham Hedgerow Partnership are funding the course, however we are asking people to contribute toward the costs by paying a booking fee of £20, payable in advance.

Only 6 places on the course – booking essential.

To find out more and to book a place, please call Peter Downes: 07484 093411

(Times of each day will be confirmed on booking).

FULLY BOOKED

Banish the winter blues and spend a cosy morning in the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre creating something unique and lovely to take home.

Learn how to ‘paint with wool’, needle felting coloured fibres onto a flat piece of fabric to create your own unique design or picture, which can then be embellished with embroidery and beads,

This relaxing craft is easy to learn, but due to sharp needles this workshop is not suitable for children.

Cost £20 including materials, tea, coffee and homemade café shrub cookies.

Booking essential

Do you want to make a noticeable difference in your community?  Are you passionate about the environment?

Volunteering offers a range of opportunities, as a volunteer you can meet new people, be part of a friendly team, learn new skills, indulge in your passion and engage with your local heritage.

Please join English Heritage volunteers and come along to our Volunteer Litter Pick at Derwentcote Steel Furnace; Monday 2nd March 2020, 10:00am – 12:00pm.

Please meet at the car park to Derwentcote Steel Furnace, Forge Lane, Hamsterley NE17 7RS.  The car park is located opposite the Furnace site and is signposted on the A694.

For more information please contact Sophie at: Sophie.Hearn@english-heritage.org.uk  07557 834 133.

Mary Eleanor Bowes, sole heir of Newcastle coal czar George Bowes, achieved notoriety in the Georgian era: her true legacy is often overlooked. This illustrated talk by local author Val Scully, presents a new interpretation of her dramatic and significant life, transforming this resilient and courageous woman from victim to feminist icon.

My Name is Eleanor is a fictionalised account of her life based closely on real people and events, including the influence of her formidable grandmother, Elizabeth Blakiston of Gibside.  After submerging herself in the life of Mary Eleanor, Val researched the 19th century story of the Land of Oak & Iron and published a sequel, Molly Bowes. 

This event was a sell out last year, booking is essential.

Tickets are £12.50 per person and include a glass of Prosecco or juice and delicious one-pot supper (vegetarian/vegan option available).

You will be able to buy these books at a special price of £5 each and have them signed by the author.

Book now.

Land of Oak & Iron is very dog friendly, and so we are offering an event just for your four legged friends!

Lindsey from Light Source Art will be taking paw prints and embedding them in ceramic, along with your dog’s name.  There will be a choice of designs to choose from, please see more photographs on Lindsey’s Facebook page ‘Scribble and Patch’.

The paw print will be taken away for glazing and firing and then brought back to the Heritage Centre for you to collect at a later date.

Cost is £20, booking essential.

To book an appointment for 8 March at the Heritage Centre, please text 07527047062 or email lindseygrieves@hotmail.co.uk

Booking essential

Places are limited to 10 people and booking essential, we expect this workshop to be very popular, so please reserve your place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Booking essential

Get out in the fresh air and enjoy a healthy walk with a difference – discovering more about the local and natural history of the Derwent Valley.

Join local ornithologist Michael Turner on a guided walk highlighting the variety of birds that can be seen and heard in the Lower Derwent Valley.  As well as the famous red kites we have the chance to see buzzard, kingfisher, dipper, grey wagtail and jay.

Michael will also give a fascinating account of the findings of local 19th century ornithologist and former Crowley employee Thomas Robson.

The walk will be on regular footpaths with varying gradients. Please bring binoculars if you have them and dress appropriately for the weather.  Sorry no dogs please.

Tickets £6 per person. Places limited and booking essential.

Booking essential.

This illustrated talk by Paul Heatherington explores a little known chapter in British sword making, set within a turbulent period of history.

In 1687, nineteen German sword makers settled in Shotley Bridge by the River Derwent.  There were supplies of ironstone, water, wood for charcoal, millstone grit for grindstones and a sea route from Newcastle to London.

There are few records of the early years of the sword makers to explain why they came to England.  The years following their arrival were troubled times. James II was losing his grip on the monarchy.  The ‘Glorious Revolution’ came in 1688, when the Protestant Mary jointly with her husband, William, ascended to the throne.

In 1691, a Royal Charter was granted to form a Company for making hollow sword blades in England.  The setting up of a blade industry in the late 17th century did much to stimulate the local iron industry.

Tickets are £12.50 per person and include a glass of Prosecco or juice and delicious one-pot supper (vegetarian/vegan option available).

Book now.

Booking essential

Cost £25, places are limited to 6 people to enable time with each participant – we expect places to book up quickly, so please reserve your place as soon as possible.

Booking essential