THE rocks of the North Pennines have taken on a softer form, and the results are on show in a unique exhibition in Barnard Castle.

During April and May, Year 6 pupils from Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School and adult crafters from the area took part in workshops organised by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership (North Pennines AONB Partnership) as part of their Earthworks project and led by Teesdale textile artist Sara Cox.

Responding to geological maps, and the original copy of William Smith’s 200-year-old Map that Changed the World, the participants created their own maps using wet felting and nunofelting techniques.

The resulting felt artworks are now on display at the Witham in Barnard Castle, until June 30.

Naomi Foster, geology projects officer at the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “Exploring William Smith’s map and looking at colour and texture was a really hands-on and tactile way to look at the geology of the North Pennines. The pieces that the children from Middleton in Teesdale Primary School have produced, as well as the adults in the workshops, look amazing, and bring a new dimension to the maps themselves. We hope that visitors to the Witham will enjoy seeing the work on display, alongside copies of some of the maps that provided their inspiration.”

Ms Cox said: “If you’ve never taken the time to look at geological maps before then you must come to this exhibition."

She added: “I’ve spent hours unpicking the fabric of the North Pennines landscape with these beautiful maps, full of seemingly abstract shapes and colourful patterns whilst, in reality, revealing a carefully measured and observed geology of the ground beneath us.

"Sharing these fascinating maps with both young and old, picking out tiny pieces of map that each person was drawn to, and then transferring this moment of connection to the map into a tactile piece of art has been a thoughtful and rewarding experience.”

For more information visit northpennines.org.uk