Northern Heartlands are a CAN that helps communities story their past, present and future, so they can act with confidence and power
A big element of our Community Agency Networks (or CANs) practice, is the capacity of such groups to be able to compose their own narratives about the past, present and future. We hold this to be a tangible resource—often regarded as “soft” or “secondary”, but actually the foundation of much activism and enterprise.
Self-determination can mean determining yourself - and articulating the story of your place and community is one way for a dogged, yet joyful collective identity to be forged.
This seems like exactly the kind of work that’s being done by Northern Heartlands, who describe themselves as:
a charity based in County Durham bringing the creativity of artists together with individuals, community groups, schools and partner organisations. Together, we create performances, activities and events that change how people feel about themselves, the places where they live, and what happens there.
We work with people living in the deeply rural areas of Teesdale and Weardale, and with the post-industrial towns and villages of the former Durham coalfield.
Their signature projects are gentle, inclusive but clearly motivating for these post-industrial communities.
Turning the Hourglass
“…We worked with communities in the parish of Dene Valley and the village of Witton Park, listening to what local residents would like to see happen in their village, supporting exciting events such as the Dene Valley Winter Light Parade [see embed at top of the blog] and a Hallowe’en Walk and enabling people to have the confidence to start making things happen for themselves.
Both places are former 'Category D' locations: villages destined for demolition when the pits closed and deemed worthy of no further investment. We started working in Witton Park in 2021; we've now been working with the community in Dene Valley for 4 years, building on work we began as a Great Place Scheme. Read about our approach to this work here in a report by artist/researcher Stephen Pritchard.
Hidden Heritage and wellbeiNG
“We’re working with the community in the former mining town of Willington – building on our previous event The Man Engine – helping schools, community groups and care home residents explore the story of their town from medieval times to the present day.
“The whole project will culminate in an exciting event on the Town Green on 15th July 2023 and we’re hoping the outcome will be increased wellbeing for those who take part, as well as a wider group of people inspired by heritage. We started with 70 volunteers helping to celebrate the beacon lighting as part of the Platinum Jubilee back in June.”
Plants on the Edge
Primula farinosa – Bird’s-eye Primrose (M. Rogers) - from the Teesdale Assemblage
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Teesdale Special Flora Trust in this exciting project funded by the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund through the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“The Trust was set up to continue the work of the inspiring and renowned botanist Dr Margaret Bradshaw who, at the age of 96, still leads walks, oversees monitoring and surveying activity and gives talks on the ‘Teesdale Assemblage’ – a collection of rare alpine plants unique to Upper Teesdale and threatened with decline as a result of climate change.
“We are hosting Volunteer and Engagement Officer Naomi Priestley, who’s leading on schools workshops, a series of public talks and a touring exhibition.