Blackhill and Consett Park events

Weekly activities

Tuesday

Consett and District Heritage Initiative

Time: 10.00am - 12.00 noon​​​​​​
Cost/booking: Pre-booking is requested, please contact cdhi-genealogy@outlook.com 
Details: Family history research with opportunities to gain practical advice and assistance with research into your family history.

Let's Sing

Time: 1.30pm-3.00pm 
Cost/booking: Free, donations welcome. 
Details: An informal singing programme for adults of all ages and abilities, with the emphasis on wellbeing and socialising as well as opportunities to take part in occasional performances. Refreshments are available from 1.00pm. Let's sing programme is led by an experienced professional singer/musician and is part of Ways to Wellbeing. New participants are always welcome.

Wednesday

Consett and District Heritage Initiative open sessions

Time: 10.00am-4.00pm 
Cost/booking: CDHI members are all volunteers, so please contact us before visiting.
Details: A chance to meet members of the group and find out more about the huge amount of local history material available in the archive. Enquiries and donations or loans of artefacts, old photographs, documents and maps are always welcomed. 

Free cycling sessions

Time: 10.30am
Cost/booking: Free
Details: This is part of our Cycle Durham programme, supported by trained volunteer leaders. Bikes and helmets provided (or bring your own).

Open art and craft studio

Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Cost/booking: Free, donations welcome. 
Details: Come and join the friendly and supportive atmosphere and experience a wide range of arts and crafts. During the period September to December join us for papercraft, handicraft and art projects including altered book poetry; making dream catchers and greetings cards; jewellery making; casting stone-resin coasters; making Christmas decorations and more. Open to adults 16 and over of all abilities, led by an experienced, professional artist. Part of the Ways to Wellbeing programme. referrals and self-referrals welcome. 

Saturday

Parkrun

Time: 9.00am
Cost/booking: Free. Register at Blackhill Parkrun.
Details: Organised by volunteers from Blackhill Bounders, this is a free weekly 5k run in the beautiful and invigorating setting of the park. All welcome.

Sunday

Have a Go at Bowls sessions

Time: 1.30pm (summer)
Details: Try your hand at bowls with the friendly assistance of the Consett Park Bowling Club members. Clubhouse bar and refreshments available. All ages and abilities welcomed. For information contact storeydc@aol.com.

Carpet Bowls sessions

Time: 2.00pm (winter)
Details:In the clubhouse, organised by Consett Park Bowling Club. All ages and abilities welcomed. For information contact storeydc@aol.com.

Other activities

Watling Wood

Date: Until  Friday25 October

Cost/booking: Free. 
Details: A selection of photographs from Watling Wood near Leadgate, by Consett based photographer and film-maker Simon Green, on show around the park as part of Conny Art Festival 2019. More information is available:  Watling Wood Exhibition

Legends of Wood and Ink 

Date: Sturday 26 October
Time: Printmaking workshops 10.00am to noon and 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Talk  12.30pm to 1.30pm.
Cost/booking: Free. but please book for the talk What's On at Land of Oak and Iron
Details: As part of Conny Art Festival, Land of Oak and Iron will be hosting the launch of a new publication of J.W Fawcett's book Tales of Derwentdale with a talk by author Val Scully and two printmaking workshops with artist Shona Branigan. The illustrated talk Tales of Derwentdale tells the extraordinary life and work of Satley explorer, naturalist and historian J.W. Fawcett. He set down the myths and legends of the Consett area. See the magic of making pictures through wood engraving. Hand burnish your own prints directly from the surface of the oak, yew and elm. Both activities take place in the lodge. 

Consett Children's Book Trail 

Date: From Saturday 26 October
Cost/booking: Free. Pick up a leaflet and join the trail at The Lodge. Explore the local area, find the 24 locations on a map, find and swap books and collect all of the clues to find the secret location and possibly win a prize. Family activity organised by Briary Local.

Family Arts Workshops

Date: Thursday 31 October
Time: 10.00am to noon and 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
Cost/booking: Free but please book by calling 03000 262480. Places are limited.
Details: Jyl Friggens and Abigail Lagden lead two workshops as part of Conny Art Festival to get you in the mood for Halloween. Please dress for messy crafts and going outdoors. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The later workshop will allow participants to discover the fun of fabric sculpture. Suitable for ages 6+. Aprons and gloves will be provided. The earlier workshop will allow participants to get creative with free form weaving and make a 'bogglin' to take home.

Bike Confidence sessions

Date: Thursday 31 October
Time: 10.00am, 11.00am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
Cost/booking: Free but please book by calling 03000 262480 or email: oliver.graham@groundwork.org.uk
Details: Come along and learn the fundamentals of cycling through a fun, interactive session in the park. Bring your own bike and helmet. Suitable for children 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Organised by Groundwork North East and Cumbria.

Walk leader programme

Date: Thursday 10 Octiber
Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Cost/booking: Free. To book a place call 01325 464271 or email natalie.whitworth@groundwork.org.uk
Details: Do you enjoy walking? Would you like to lead guided walks in your community? Could you motivate people to start walking? This free walking course will introduce the fundamentals of how to lead safe and enjoyable walks for all. Wear sensible footwear and dress for the weather.

Mad Alice Theatre Company present Rose and Robin 

Date: Friday 1 November
Time: Doors open 10.30am for an 11.00am start.
Cost/booking: £3, £2 conc. Suitable for children aged 7+ with an adult. To book, call 03000 262480 or call into The Lodge.
Details: Join Rose and Robin as they share their memories of sports and stargazing as well as their love of dance. They've shared a wonderful life together. They've had bumps in the road, of course, and now Robin can't remember where they keep their clothes pegs. But that's all fine. A playful yet serious, sad yet happy show which celebrates life in all its richness. More information is available: Mad Alice Theatre Company

Gender Not Included

Date: Friday 1 November
Time: 2.00pm
Cost/booking: Free but places are limited, so pre-booking is essential by emailing: connyartfestival@gmail.com
Details: A free creative writing and zine-making workshopdesigned for LGBTQ young people aged 14+. Brought to you by Conny Arts Festival. Explre identity and representation, do writing exercises and create your own zine. Chat and make new friends in a relaxing, safe space.

Community Gardening Programme 

Date: Monday 7 and 14 October
Time: 1.00pm-3.00pm
Cost/booking: Free, donations welcome. Contact us to register
Details: Meeting in The Lodge before heading on to the community garden. Join us to harvest the vegetables and fruit and prepare for next year's growing. Part of the Ways to Wellbeing programme, sessions are designed to teach groups and individuals the basics of guarding in a friendly and supportive setting, guided by an experienced tutor. 

Schools

We welcome schools, nurseries and other young people's groups to visit. 

There is access to the classroom and toilets in The Lodge, provision of a simple park trail and quiz sheet which is ideal for younger children and we can also assist with the delivery of specific topics. Please contact us beforehand, to discuss your requirements.

Friends of Blackhill and Consett Park

The Friends of the Park play a vital role in promoting community use of the park, raising funds to carry out projects which improve the park for people and nature, and by organising and assisting with events. Anyone wishing to get involved please contact us or leave your details with a member of staff.