A PROJECT placing the spotlight on the industrial heritage of a former steel town has invited people to come forward with their stories, memories, photographs and archive material.

The Colour Your Life team at Leisureworks is looking at the Consett Steelworks and the wider community at the time, as part of a new heritage project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund called Made of Steel.

Project manager Cheryl Gavin said: “We will be working with photographer and film maker Andy Hagan and creative writer Tom Kelly to deliver public conversations and creative workshops to celebrate the heritage of Consett Steelworks as told by the people themselves.

“I am constantly intrigued by the memories that have been passed on through the generations.

“I am excited about the use of the digital realm to maximise the reach of this project so we can bring traditional archives to life for the younger generations as well as get their view on Consett today.”

Consett steelworks dominated the area for 140 years from 1864 when Consett Iron Company was established.

The steelworks was closed down in October 1980 and devastated the community.

Made of Steel will commission a film representing all the memories archived during the project.

The project will also entail a number of public workshops, community digitising, archiving opportunities and more, to form a unique digital archive collection.

Public sessions will continue throughout January. Drop in sessions are from 1pm until 3pm in The Lodge at Blackhill & Consett Park on January 14, 21 and 28.

For further information contact Cheryl Gavin on 01207-218852 or email madeofsteed.yourstory@gmail.com or read, watch and listen to tales so far by visiting www.madeofsteel.co.uk.