Saturday, 4th October 2025 - 10:00-14:00
Come and meet potter Kate Bosworth of Orchard Grange Pottery at the Heritage Centre for another of our ‘Meet the Maker’ events.
Kate’s first love is of the process and set up Orchard Grange Pottery to bring the benefits of making with clay to new people. The Pottery now hosts up to 30 people each week, of all ages and abilities, with a mission to open up participation to as many people as possible.
Kate is a (largely) self-taught ceramic artist based in Ovington, Northumberland. After years of ‘proper jobs’, Kate asked her inner ten year old what to do next. The answer was not the philosophy PhD that Kate had in mind. She enrolled at Newark College shortly afterwards.
When not teaching, Kate produces small batch stoneware, both decorative and functional. Pieces are bright, fun and satisfying, just like the process, and aim to convey the smile from making to the end user.
A selection of Kates’s pottery are available to purchase for a short 2-week period in our shop from 19th September, or directly from her on the Meet the Maker Day (Saturday, 4th October 10:00-16:00), where you can browse, purchase and say hello to the artist herself. Kate will also be running a free ‘Clayground’ activity where you can have a play around with clay!
More details of this event can be found here.
Sunday, 5th October 2025 - 10:00-16:00
Our friends from the RSPB will be joining us again at the Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill with lots of information about the fantastic work they do.
The RSPB is now the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves.
Passionate about nature, dedicated to saving it. Since we started on our mission in 1889, the threats to nature have continued to grow, but we’ve grown to meet them too.
The RSPB team love meeting people, so please do come and say hello, find out more about how you can get involved in supporting nature and the work of the RSPB.
You can also find out about becoming a member and the RSPB ‘Wild Challenge’ activities.
Find out more about the RSPB: https://www.rspb.org.uk
Free event, no booking required. More details here.
Sunday, 5th October 2025 - 12:30-14:00
Ever thought about learning to play a musical instrument – what about the ukulele? Then come along to our uke’ sessions and learn how.
There are a number of sessions planned until the end of the year, all on Sunday afternoons between 12.30-14:00. This one is for Sunday, 5th October, please see separate listings to book the other sessions.
Tutor Philip has played ukulele for longer than he can remember. Having ran uke’ workshops at JG Windows Music in Newcastle, as well as being a full time guitar/uke teacher, he’s now bringing his workshops to the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill.
Each session will involve learning some songs from scratch, with parts for beginners to more complex parts for those with previous experience. All the songs guaranteed jams that will be stuck in your head all week!
If you have your own ukulele please bring it along - let us know on the booking form if you would like the tutor to provide one for you.
Booking essential as limited places available. £9.50 per session. Please add in the booking notes if you have played before and if you can bring your own ukulele (or not).
Ticker booking here.
Please note - tickets for our workshops, sessions and courses are non refundable. We may at our discretion transfer your ticket to another similar event.
Wednesday, 8th October 2025 - 14:00-16:00 (every Wednesday for FOUR weeks)
Experienced and friendly art tutor Kath will guide you from blank canvas to finished landscape artworks using demonstrations and individual assistance to improve your skills and confidence. The aim is for each student to produce artworks they can feel really proud of.
This course takes place every Wednesday for 4 weeks and is suitable for beginners and for those who have painted before and would like to learn more techniques or continue with their art projects.
Become part of this friendly painting course, learn how to paint and make new creative friends along the way.
Four week course costs £80, price includes tuition and a tea or coffee each week.
Please bring basic painting materials such as brushes and acrylic paints (we can advise you of this when booking). We will also have some basic brushes, paints, water jars etc that you can use too if needed.
Places limited to allow quality teaching and learning - booking essential.
Any questions please get in touch, email landofoakandiron@groundwork.org.uk
Sunday, 12th October 2025 - 12:30-14:00
Ever thought about learning to play a musical instrument - what about the ukulele? Then come along to our uke’ sessions and learn how.
There are a number of sessions planned until the end of the year, all on Sunday afternoons between 12.30-14:00. This one is for Sunday, 12th October, please see separate listings to book the other sessions.
Tutor Philip has played ukulele for longer than he can remember. Having ran uke’ workshops at JG Windows Music in Newcastle, as well as being a full time guitar/uke teacher, he’s now bringing his workshops to the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill.
Each session will involve learning some songs from scratch, with parts for beginners to more complex parts for those with previous experience. All the songs guaranteed jams that will be stuck in your head all week!
If you have your own ukulele please bring it along - let us know on the booking form if you would like the tutor to provide one for you.
Booking essential as limited places available. £9.50 per session. Please add in the booking notes if you have played before and if you can bring your own ukulele (or not).
Book your place here.
Please note - tickets for our workshops, sessions and courses are non refundable. We may at our discretion transfer your ticket to another similar event.
Saturday, 18th October 2025 - 10:00-13:00
Join local artist and tutor Gail for this creative needle felting and embellishment workshop - learn how to turn a bundle of fluffy wool fibres into something beautiful and Autumnal.
Gail will teach you how to turn bundles of colourful, fluffy wool fibres into your own Autumnal creation inspired by nature and the Derwent Valley. You can then embellish and add detail with stitching and beads if you would like to.
The workshop will run from 10:00am in our private Map Room and includes a cuppa to enjoy during the session.
After the workshop why not treat yourself to a spot of lunch from our café or go for a little wander in the beautiful lower Derwent Valley from our doorstep.
Your felted creation would make the perfect gift for someone special (or maybe keep it all to yourself). Why not buy the workshop as a gift for a friend or loved one (we can create a gift voucher - please get in touch after booking your ticket).
Booking essential as places are limited, tickets £28 including a tea/coffee.
Please note: this class is for adults only, please do not bring dogs (for their safety in case we break any needles, which sometimes happens).
We also have a pop-up Meet the Maker stall on the same day.
Book your place here.
Saturday, 18th October 2025 - 10:00-16:00
Come and meet artist Anna Caygill at the Heritage Centre for another of our ‘Meet the Maker’ events.
Fine artist Anna’s work is an exploration of nature and the way it makes us feel - wind, coastlines, flowers, light, and how they shape our inner and outer landscapes. Anna draws inspiration from the UK landscapes using layered brushwork and vibrant contrast to evoke atmosphere and emotion.
“Through acrylics and oils, I balance abstraction and recognisable form. My pieces invite the viewer to pause; to sense the sea breeze, to wander through petals, or to remember.
Each painting is a meditation on connection between earth, spirit and moment. In sharing these visions, I hope to bring nature into every space and to spark reflection on what we carry inside”.
A selection of Anna’s vibrant artworks are available to purchase for a short 2-week period in our shop from 3rd October, or directly from her on the Meet the Maker Day (Saturday 18th October 10:00-16:00), where you can browse, purchase and say hello to the artist herself.
More information here.
Sunday, 19th October 2025 - 10:00-16:00
Lorna from Blue Tyne Creative will be at the Heritage Centre with her wonderful pop-up stall selling a fantastic range of hand made arts and crafts, including Autumn and Halloween themed items.
Lorna is raising funds to purchase specialist sensory equipment for a special young man called Sam to support his transition into his new home in an assisted living space. Sam is severely autistic, non verbal and partially sighted. When Sam becomes anxious, sensory activities are used to help him feel more calm and distracted.
“Sam is setting in well into his new home care placement. With the funds raised through craft sales we have bought him various sensory equipment, including a bubble machine (which he loves), building bricks and he’s currently awaiting the delivery of a trampoline! We’ve also managed to book out a swimming pool for his use only as he adores swimming”.
Please pop down to the Heritage Centre to say hello to Lorna and buy some of the lovely hand-crafted gifts, all of which will help to support fund raising for Sam’s sensory equipment.
More information here.
Sunday, 26th October 2025 - 10:00-16:00
‘Howl-O-Ween!’ (we love the title!) a great Halloween event especially for our canine friends!
This is a lovely little event for you and your dogs to come along to, with dog themed stalls to purchase something special for your pooch, along with our fun fancy dress dog competition.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade is at 2pm: Bring your pooch dressed up in a spooky costume and enter our parade - it’s a lot of fun, will make everyone smile and the best dressed dog will win a doggie prize! Limited places, so please book soon - see below.
Stalls: From 10:00 there will be some doggie themed stalls too with David’s Dog Deli for their home-baked doggie goodness, Lindsey of Scribble & Patch who creates beautiful paw (or baby/child’s hand) print ceramics (book a place using link below) and Bad Bones & Bows will be back again with their unique denim jackets for dogs! More stalls to be announced – if you would like a stall please email landofoakandiron@groundwork.org.uk with a few details of what you sell.
Scribble & Patch are taking bookings now, just drop her an email to find out more: lindseygrieves@hotmail.co.uk or take a look at her Facebook page.
Trick for a Treat: Ask your pooch to do a paw shake or trick for one of team members, to be rewarded with a little doggie treat!We would love to see photographs or films of your spooky pooch at the Heritage Centre - so please upload to our Facebook page with the tag #howloweenoakandiron25
Booking information here.
Tickets
Fancy Dress Entry. Please add your dog's name in the notes.
Price: £3.50
Wednesday, 29th October 2025 - 10:00-16:00
Our friends from the RSPB will be joining us again at the Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill with lots of information about the fantastic work they do.
The RSPB is now the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves.
Passionate about nature, dedicated to saving it. Since we started on our mission in 1889, the threats to nature have continued to grow, but we’ve grown to meet them too.
The RSPB team love meeting people, so please do come and say hello, find out more about how you can get involved in supporting nature and the work of the RSPB.
You can also find out about becoming a member and the RSPB ‘Wild Challenge’ activities.
Find out more about the RSPB: https://www.rspb.org.uk
Free event, no booking required. Full information here.
Thursday, 30th October 2025 - 10:00-16:00
Our friends from the RSPB will be joining us again at the Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill with lots of information about the fantastic work they do.
The RSPB is now the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves.
Passionate about nature, dedicated to saving it. Since we started on our mission in 1889, the threats to nature have continued to grow, but we’ve grown to meet them too.
The RSPB team love meeting people, so please do come and say hello, find out more about how you can get involved in supporting nature and the work of the RSPB.
You can also find out about becoming a member and the RSPB ‘Wild Challenge’ activities.
Find out more about the RSPB: https://www.rspb.org.uk
Free event, no booking required. Full information here.
