2010 marked the 30th anniversary of the closure of the Consett Iron Works. Consett was built on the iron and steel industry and the closure of the works in September 1980 was a devastating blow to the Town. Consett Steel was internationally famous and was used in structures from the Blackpool Tower to Sunderland Football Club’s old ground Roker Park.

Beamish Museum worked with the Consett community to mark the anniversary of the closure. Together they celebrated the Town’s proud industrial heritage, looking at what had changed and at what the future has in store.