WELCOME!
We have been invited to build a new installation in Redesdale to display and explore historic finds from the area. We want to involve young people in this process, in a new project called Making History! Our aim is to let young people explore their History and Heritage, through Design and Creativity.
Making History is run by Henry Collingham, a researcher from Northumbria University’s Design School, in partnership with, Kids Kabin, North Tyne Youth & The Redesdale Archaeology Group.
Project info
Below, you can download the information booklet for the project. Please get in touch with Henry directly with any questions:
henry.w.r.collingham@northumbria.ac.uk
07429 022 533
The Making History Logo, Reimagined by Lennox and Harley (Kids Kabin Walker)
Upcoming Workshops:
We will host groups of young people at Otterburn RTC and Kids Kabin in Walker for creative workshops. Friends and family will be invited to join us for our project celebration in Otterburn at the end of the project, to unveil everyone’s work!
Subject to change, the current planned dates are as follows:
Project Celebration: TBD May Half Term in Rochester!
Friends & Families are invited to join this celebreation at the end of the project.
We will have access to a mini-bus to transport members from Walker to Otterburn and back for workshops.
Previous Workshops:
Workshop 1: Cabbages, and a Creative, Collaborative Kick-Off!
The first Making History workshop at Otterburn RTC was a vibrant mix of creativity and connection, bringing together young people from North Tyne Youth and Kids Kabin. With 21 young participants and support from Redesdale Archaeology Group, Newcastle University volunteers, and Kids Kabin staff, the evening was a bit of a whirlwind of learning and getting to know eac hother.
Getting Hands-On with History
The kids dove into a range of engaging activities, including stone carving, Roman tile making, pizza making, and digging-up 3D printed replica artefacts. Highlights included building Roman catapults—where flying cabbages stole the show—and the calm, focused creativity at the clay-making station. The variety ensured something for everyone, balancing high-energy and quieter moments. Bob, Keith, and Annette from RAG even brought along some real archaeological finds for the kids to see up close, and interact with.
The kids dove into a range of engaging activities, including stone carving, Roman tile making, pizza making, and digging-up 3D printed replica artefacts. Highlights included building Roman catapults—where flying cabbages stole the show—and the calm, focused creativity at the clay-making station. The variety ensured something for everyone, balancing high-energy and quieter moments. Bob, Keith, and Annette from RAG even brought along some real archaeological finds for the kids to see up close, and interact with.
Building Bridges
More than just activities, the workshop was designed to start fostering connections between the rural and urban groups, the kids got on really well, and naturally bonded through shared activities. Moments of collaboration highlighted the power of making to bring people together which we hope to build on throughout the project (and beyond).
More than just activities, the workshop was designed to start fostering connections between the rural and urban groups, the kids got on really well, and naturally bonded through shared activities. Moments of collaboration highlighted the power of making to bring people together which we hope to build on throughout the project (and beyond).
Intergenerational Collaboration
Members of Redesdale Archaeology Group (RAG)—Bob, Keith, and Annette—brought expertise and passion to the workshop. Whether introducing stone carving or sharing precious historical artefacts, their generosity and enthusiasm enriched the session, leaving a lasting impact on the project.
Members of Redesdale Archaeology Group (RAG)—Bob, Keith, and Annette—brought expertise and passion to the workshop. Whether introducing stone carving or sharing precious historical artefacts, their generosity and enthusiasm enriched the session, leaving a lasting impact on the project.
Looking ahead, insights from this workshop will guide future sessions, ensuring a balance of creativity, history, and inclusivity. The journey continues, promising more opportunities to learn, connect, and create together.
For updates on upcoming workshops, keep an eye on the Making History page.
Workshop 2: A Game of Three Halves!
Storm Bert put paid to our plans of a nice simple workshop in Walker, with the North Tyne Youth kids stuck under blankets of snow, we had to adapt...
RAG member Annette sent us this beautiful picture of the snow on the morning of our planned workshop!
Warm Walker Welcome
Kids Kabin had been planning to host the North Tyne Youth group in Walker for the first time. The plan was for the kids to run each session: ceramics, woodwork, cooking, and art for North Tyne Youth, and for Henry to run a design activity for the project.
Kids Kabin had been planning to host the North Tyne Youth group in Walker for the first time. The plan was for the kids to run each session: ceramics, woodwork, cooking, and art for North Tyne Youth, and for Henry to run a design activity for the project.
Lennox and Harley painted a giant sign for the project, for us to use in the planned activity...
Practice Makes Perfect
Once we'd realised that NTY weren't going to make it we pivoted, and ran the day as a tester instead. Kids Kabin kids ran their sessions with grown-ups as their test subjects, teach us how to do everything.
RAG in Walker
Luckily, Ian from RAG was able to make it to Walker. He and Henry ran the design activty as planned, and started to collect ideas from the kids about historical artefacts, ways to show them off to people, attaching stories to objects, and magical machines. Ian was super impressed with the ideas the kids came up with!
Off to Otterburn
Henry packed-up the design activity, along with the Roman Tiles from Workshop 1 for a trip to Otterburn for another North Tyne Youth session. Here he was able to run the design activity with NTY kids, again getting some unbelieveable ideas, the more weird and wonderful the better!
Millions of Ideas
After running the activity with both groups, we've got lots of ideas and stories to tell. Lennox and Harley's giant board is covered in beautiful drawings, and the next step is to start bringing them to life!
Making History is part of the Centre for Digital Citizens Research Project funded by UKRI Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (Project code EP/T022582/1)
The project has been given approval from Northumbria University’s Ethics Board (Project ID 8021)