Youngsters have worked with artist Susan Warnock to create a booklet celebrating the history of a County Durham town as part of a regeneration project nearing completion.
The Our Town booklet by pupils from Trinity Primary School in Seaham showcases a blend of creative writing and illustrations, exploring topics such as Church Street, Seaham’s first school, the George Elmy lifeboat disaster, the wartime U-boat bombardment of the town and its artillery history, and Seaham’s prolific bottleworks.
The Seaham Townscape Heritage Project has been delivered by Durham County Council after it was awarded £1.6m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the venture, which focused on Seaham’s “at risk” Conservation Area and main thoroughfares such as Church Street, with grants to property owners and occupiers for the restoration and reinstatement of heritage features.
A project spokesperson said: “Our Town is a celebration of Seaham’s heritage, seen through the eyes of its youngest residents. With support from the Townscape Heritage Project and guidance from Susan, the children brought local stories to life, reimagining them with curiosity, humour, and heart.
“Their work reflects not only what they learned, but how they connected with the people and places that shaped their town. This booklet is a testament to the power of storytelling and creativity in building a sense of place and pride.
“It shows that heritage isn’t just about the past, it’s about how we understand it, share it, and carry it forward.”
Coun Karen Allison, Durham County Council Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “Seaham has received significant investment in recent years, and the Townscape Heritage Project has played a vital role in helping to restore historic buildings, celebrate local heritage and strengthen the town centre.
“We are also delighted to officially launch the Our Town booklet, which provides a wonderful insight into Seaham’s history through the eyes of young people. The project demonstrates that heritage-led regeneration can not only improve buildings and spaces, but also strengthen community pride and help share local stories with future generations.”
