Blackhill and Consett Park events

Community Garden - adult Gardening for Wellbeing programme

Tuesdays 10.00am to 12 noon. (No sessions on 20 and 27 August)

Community Garden, located behind the park lodge. Free (donations welcome).

The gardening programme offers adults of all ages and abilities a range of gardening activities, and opportunities to learn about growing fruit, vegetables and flowers in a friendly and supportive group setting. The aims of the programme are to support better health and wellbeing through gentle outdoor activity, and to encourage healthy eating through the growing and sharing of organic food. Sessions are led by an experienced outdoor education worker, Liz Beech, and the programme is organised by The Friends of Blackhill and Consett Park in collaboration with the our Move programme, with funding from Derwent Valley Area Action Partnership. We are also part of the county-wide Food Durham project managed by OASES environmental charity.

Sessions take place until the end of October, weather permitting.

Older Men's Group (Men's Shed) programme.

Tuesdays 1.00pm to 3.00pm. (No session on 27 August).

Community Garden and plot two allotment site. Free, refreshments included.

A new outdoor social group for older men (age 50 and over) to support improved health & wellbeing. We offer opportunities to grow and share fresh food along with social activities and opportunities to learn new skills and try new things in a friendly group. Organised by the Friends of Blackhill and Consett Park with support from the OASES charity Food Durham programme and funding from Derwent Valley Area Action Partnership and local councillors. Runs until the end of October.

Blackhill Park Cycling Group

Wednesdays 10.30am - meet outside The Lodge. Free.

For people who want to take up cycling again to improve their fitness and meet new people, the Blackhill Park Cycling Group meets on Wednesday mornings for short cycle rides of one hour to 1.5 hours led by experienced volunteer cycling leaders, using safe local routes which are suitable for adults of all ages. Off-road bicycles are available to borrow if required.

Old photographs

The foyer in The Lodge has an exhibition area in which Consett and District Heritage Initiative hold ongoing displays featuring old photographs from their archives, covering a wide range of subject matter and places of interest. These can be viewed whenever the building is open.

Lodge open art studio

Wednesdays 1.00pm to 3.00pm. Suggested donation of £3.

The open art studio welcomes adults (aged 16 and over) of all abilities and interests who would like to try a range of arts and crafts activities, under the guidance of an experienced professional artist. The sessions are informal and friendly and aim to promote improved wellbeing through creative activity, giving participants the opportunity to learn new skills and socialise together. Materials and refreshments are included.

Places can be pre-booked - Contact Blackhill and Consett Park by phone or ask at a member of staff at The Lodge. We also welcome referrals from health practitioners and family members.