15 students from Consett Academy visited Blanchland in 2024 with singer songwriter Katie Doherty to explore their artistic responses to the ancient Abbey and conservation village.
Consett folk traditionally have visited Blanchland on high days and holidays, so the project was keen to connect with this young generation. The medium of music was chosen because of the beautiful acoustics in the Abbey. The music video was launched at the Abbey Alive celebration day on the 24th November 2024.
The students said:
“Recently, we embarked on an exciting journey to capture the essence of Blanchland and its Abbey through music and storytelling. With the guidance of acclaimed singer-songwriter Katie Doherty, we worked together to compose a unique song inspired by the village’s history, landscapes, and community spirit.
Our adventure began with an immersive visit to Blanchland, a village rich in history and charm. We explored the ancient Abbey, wandered through the streets, and strolled along the tranquil river. We also spent time at The Lord Crewe Arms, a historic inn full of fascinating tales. Along the way, we gathered inspiration from the beautiful surroundings, the sounds of the river, and the stories shared by local villagers.
Armed with soundbites, imagery, and the echoes of Blanchland’s past, we worked over several sessions to craft an original song. With Katie’s expert guidance, we explored the art of songwriting—transforming our ideas and emotions into lyrics and melodies. We even wove in some of the recordings from our visit, giving our song a deep connection to the village.
As the project progressed, we brought our composition to life during a multi-track recording session. Katie helped us blend vocals, instrumentation, and the natural sounds of Blanchland into a powerful and meaningful piece of music.
With the help of filmmaker Von Fox, we produced a video to accompany our song. This visual masterpiece combined scenes of Blanchland’s Abbey, river, and village with footage of us performing our original composition, creating a rich and immersive portrayal of our journey.
This was more than just a creative project; it was a celebration of Blanchland’s heritage and a way for us to transform history and stories into art. Through this process, we not only developed skills in songwriting, recording, and filmmaking but also deepened our appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the village.“
Forever Found
Words and music by the students of Consett Academy and Katie Doherty, November 2024
Painted with a palette of peace
A landscape so picturesque
Memories etched on gravestones
Where history is laid to rest
Crown of thorns
A village born from sacred stones
Echoes of the hills are calling home
Through an open sky
Standing tall
Safe inside these abbey walls
Moments that we thought were lost before
Are forever found
Forever Found
Names woven in grain
Never washed away in the rain
Flowers bloom to ancient voices
Proud history breathes
Crown of thorns
A village born from sacred stones
Echoes of the hills are calling home
Through an open sky
Standing tall
Safe inside these abbey walls
Moments that we thought were lost before
Are forever found
Forever Found
Perditus Inventum Restaurata
Sitting in the palace of scriptures
Waiting on your call
Monks pass like diamonds
Darling you’re not here at all
Waiting by this river
Deeper than my soul
It’s flowing through this village
It’s flowing, it’s flowing, its flowing, it’s flowing
It’s flowing
Crown of thorns
A village born from sacred stones
Echoes of the hills are calling home
Through an open sky
Standing tall
Safe inside these abbey walls
Moments that we thought were lost before
Are forever found
Forever Found
Perditus Inventum Restaurata
