Hidden Bishop Auckland
July to October 2020
This summer, take part in our online creative community projects which aim to uncover memories, stories, crafts, people and places that reflect the history and heritage of Bishop Auckland.
In a partnership between Durham County Council’s community arts team and the Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone, five creative projects have been developed in conjunction with local and regional artists. Due to restrictions in place as a result of the corona virus outbreak, the projects are being delivered online through social media and digital platforms.
These fun activities are free and everyone, of all ages and abilities can take part. From photography to crafts and podcasts to video, there is lots to get involved in and it’s a great chance to learn more about the dynamic heritage of Bishop Auckland.
Follow Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone on Facebook @BishopAucklandhaz for all the latest updates, view all the artists’ activities as they become available and watch any previous videos you might have missed. We’ll also be sharing the updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages so make sure to follow us if you don’t already.
Hidden Stories produced by artist Richard Bliss
Help Richard discover the history of the town hall and inspire the creation of a “workers shirt” in the style that would have been worn in the 1800s when the venue was built. Join his virtual “town gatherings” via Zoom to hear a talk and share stories of the town hall, its more recent history, its origins and its links with music. To find out when these are happening and to book your place on Zoom please email hiddenbishopauckland@durham.gov.uk
Richard will also be delivering short online workshops via social media on how to conserve your own heirlooms and artefacts and, for younger members of the family, how to make a puppet from old clothing.
Hidden Gems with photographer Lee Dobson
Lee will be talking budding photographers through a series of engaging short tutorials online via social media, focusing on taking shots around Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Action Zone area. Send in your images of local landmarks, building features and structures based on a number of themes. Some images will then be chosen to be included on one of 12 designs for digital postcards.
Hidden Places in Faces with artist Stu Langley
For this project, Stu is asking people to take and submit some video footage of their favourite places in Bishop Auckland. Send these in along with a photo of your head in profile, and Stu will then animate a film to celebrate places in faces. Stu will deliver a series of short social media tutorials using free to download apps which could help you digitally animate your own film.
Hidden Crafts by local arts organisation Daisy Arts
Daisy Arts are delivering a series of online short craft activity sessions for both children and adults using different techniques and easily sourced materials and recycling. Make a wildflower brooch, a pop-up structure, build a tower, try mosaic art and make a kite to fly!
There will also be a limited number of doorstep activity packs which can be delivered directly to homes and will include all the resources to make a Midsummer cushion. The activities will run during the summer holidays and October half-term.
Hidden Words with Dr Lucie Brownlee
Lucie is gathering recollections of community events, significant happenings, and of how the town’s buildings and landmarks were in the past. She is working with the staff and residents of Sandringham Care Home and these stories will be published as podcasts and broadcast on Bishop FM during the history and heritage festival in October.
Please note: All entries from the projects should be sent to hiddenbishopauckland@durham.gov.uk. Entries should state the name of the project in the subject line of the email, for example, Hidden Gems. Photos and videos should have a person’s first name and the initial of their surname as the file name.
Hidden Bishop Auckland is funded through Durham County Council’s Towns and Villages Fund and its community arts team, South Durham Enterprise Agency, and Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone, which is funded by Historic England and Durham County Council.
