Get outside and power up your creativity with fun family activities and learn about incredible local women as part of the Discover Brightwater GemTrail. Begin the Gem Trail at Locomotion Museum and try to find all of the hidden gems along the route, whilst enjoying free creative activities and exploring the outdoors.
Hi I’m Brook the bee and I live in Shildon which lies on a very special ancient River called The Skerne and I need your help to find it’s hidden GEMS …
I have been exploring the area around the River Skerne and talking to lots of local people and I have found out that there were some very special women whose stories need to be told …
… So will you come on a journey with me to explore all the incredible women who lived near the River Skerne?
Families are challenged to help Brook the Bee find the hidden gems situated along the GemTrail route. These Gems celebrate and tell the stories of all the incredible women that lived around the River Skerne.
Our trail begins at Locomotion Museum and takes you through the local landscape and into the town of Shildon. Along the way you will complete creative challenges, try and find all the hidden gems and learn about some incredible local women.
So pick up your GemTrail map at Locomotion Museum or Shildon Library or download it here and get exploring!
The Gem Trail is a collection of 9 art installations in the town of Shildon, which celebrates local women and their contributions to industry, the suffragette movement, science and nature.
As part of the Discover Brightwater programme, artists Emma Biggins and Jo Howell were commissioned to do a series of creative workshops with families, young people and local heritage groups. These sessions informed the creation of the sculptures, and were the starting point for our research about the untold stories of local women.
Communities across the local area created blueprints (also called cyanotype photography or sun prints) and photographs which feature in the installations along the trail.
The installation designs are made by collaging together blueprints and photographs. Pieces combine community stories, old photographs, paintings and drawings. Flowers and leaves collected from the local landscape are incorporated to celebrate local women, and mother nature.
The Gem Trail highlights stories like that of Jane Hackworth who fought for the education of girls. The Aycliffe Angels who worked in the munitions factory during WWII. The Darlington suffragettes and their fight for women’s equality. The women who supported the miners and the colliery communities during the strike. And, modern day legends like Dr Margaret Bradshaw for her ongoing contributions to botany in the area and to all of the women now, and in the future, who will continue this great legacy.
The GemTrail was commissioned by Discover Brightwater and Groundworks North East and Cumbria, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project was made possible with support by Locomotion Museum, Shildon Town Library, Shildon Council, Durham County Council, Discover Brightwater trainees, Shildon Railway Institute and Shildon Town Councillors.
During March 2021, when the UK was in lockdown we sent out 220 art packs to people in the Trimdons, Shildon, and Newton Aycliffe that encouraged them to explore and walk around their area. During these walks families were challenged to take photographs, collect objects and create artwork as well as think about what is special to them about the area they live in. They created blueprint postcards, collages, tree rubbings and built a box
Following lockdown restrictions lifting, we began a programme of face to face workshops which engaged over 100 families and young people. We connected with local groups such as; The Women’s Banner Group, Trimdon Station Community Centre, Trimdon Community College and Locomotion Youth team, and continue to nurture community connections. We engaged communities across the region that the river Skerne runs. We taught them cyanotype, and they told us what was important to them. We collected stories about lots of incredible women and knew that this was what the trail needed to celebrate.
We then worked with local young people and Shildon Town Councillors to plan the trail route and choose which women would feature on the installations. We consulted local people at every stage of the project to help ensure the local community would be able to connect and feel a sense of ownership over the installations.
During March 2021, when the UK was in lockdown we sent out 220 art packs to people in the Trimdons, Shildon, and Newton Aycliffe that encouraged them to explore and walk around their area. During these walks families were challenged to take photographs, collect objects and create artwork as well as think about what is special to them about the area they live in. They created blueprint postcards, collages, tree rubbings and built a box
Following lockdown restrictions lifting, we began a programme of face to face workshops which engaged over 100 families and young people. We connected with local groups such as; The Women’s Banner Group, Trimdon Station Community Centre, Trimdon Community College and Locomotion Youth team, and continue to nurture community connections. We engaged communities across the region that the river Skerne runs. We taught them cyanotype, and they told us what was important to them. We collected stories about lots of incredible women and knew that this was what the trail needed to celebrate.
We then worked with local young people and Shildon Town Councillors to plan the trail route and choose which women would feature on the installations. We consulted local people at every stage of the project to help ensure the local community would be able to connect and feel a sense of ownership over the installations.
The first and final sculptures are located in Locomotion Museum and Shildon Library. These are your start and end locations. When you reach Shildon Library you can return to Locomotion Museum or return home.
Each Hidden Gem sculpture is inspired by a number of various conversations we had with the local community. Some are inspired by trail waymakers and railway sleepers, others historic blue plaques, others purposefully reflect the viewers own image and others have been made to support wildlife to inhabit the local area.
Site 1: Locomotion Museum
Site 2: Path Verge from Spout Lane Bridge to Station Road opposite Locomotion Coal Drops
Site 3: Path verge near Quinn’s garden (near Station Street)
Site 4: Green area between Soho Street, Station Road and Hackworth Close
Site 5: Path verge – Surtees Rail Trail (near entrance from St John’s Road)
Site 6:Path verge – Surtees Rail Trail (near wildflower area and entrance to Hackworth Park)
Site 7:Hackworth Park – Trees near Central Parade exit
Site 8: Wall mounted on the Town Square (near St John’s church and Jane Hackworth’s grave).
Site 9: Shildon Town library
Collect your free map from the Locomotion Museum (DL4 2RE) or Shildon Library (DL4 1EU). You can collect a free map from both locations or download it here.
From your starting point, follow the route marked on your map. You’ll discover creative activities that can be completed along the way or when you return home.
The trail will take approximately 40 minutes (about 1.5 miles) to walk, plus time to stop, play and take part in activities. There will be extra time needed to take part in activities.
The map includes the gem trail installations for you to find along the route. These are marked with a Gem symbol and placed in colourful circles. This is what they look like:
When you reach Shildon Library you can return to Locomotion or return home.
The trail route is on a public footpath and cycle route and includes crossing roads which will be used by other people and cars. Please take care when crossing any roads and walking on public pavements.
We want everyone using the trail to enjoy it and stay safe. We can do this together by:
We hope you enjoy exploring.
Shildon Library Opening Times
Mon: 10AM – 6PM
Tues: 10AM – 7PM
Thurs: 10AM – 7PM
Fri: 10AM – 5PM
Sat: 9:30AM – 12:30PM
Locomotion Opening Times
Wed – Sun: 10AM – 5PM
Bright Water Landscape
Partnership, Unit 28 Durham Way South, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6XP
info@discoverbrightwater.co.uk
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