Our North Pennines was a digital photography project involving young people from Cotherstone, Alston and Shotley Bridge villages in and on the edge of The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Working alongside a professional photographer the children were challenged to look afresh at their North Pennines village or town and the immediate surrounding area. The young peoples photographic skills were developed and their curiosity was raised on how to use photography and their images to communicate how they felt about the place they live. Learning the techniques of community engagement rather than photographic technique, participants learn how to explore their community, develop their curiosity and make new relationships. With the focus on interest and relevance rather than composition and beauty, their photos become catalysts for conversation and sharing.

We believe that Photography is a powerful community development and consultation tool. Initiating dialogue through images instead of words often accelerates engagement and sharing.

The project took place during 2009 and culminated in an exhibition in each village. Below are some of the pictures the young people took and poetry created at Cotherstone Primary school to accompany their images.

Click here to listen to Aiden’s poem inspired by the image below.

A slideshow of the images captured by the young people from Alston

A slideshow of the images captured by the young people from Shotley Bridge

A slideshow of the images captured by the young people from Cotherstone

The project was initiated and supported by the North Pennines AONB Partnership through its Heritage Lottery funded project Living North Pennines. To find out more about the project please contact The North Pennines AONB Partnership at info@northpenninesaonb.org.uk Tel: 01388 52881