Talking Coquetdale

The project culminated in OOT & ABOOT – Talking Coquetdale; a unique memorable touring exhibition created with the material we collected through oral history interviews, gathering artefacts and documents and always led by the life and work experiences of the people of Coquetdale, one of the most sparsely populated areas in rural North Northumberland.

The exhibition was commended at the Associate of Heritage Interpretation Engaging People Awards 2023 with judges recognising the creative and engaging delivery and sustainability of OOT & ABOOT.

An exciting, interactive exhibition using traditional and modern techniques, platforms, media, objects and methods to celebrate stories of which future generations can be proud. Evocations of the landscape, music, traditions, heritage and culture of a resilient, creative, hard-working, and canny local population. Preserving local dialect, displaying a unique locally commissioned film, music, art and content that is “hefted” to the landscape that makes this part of Northumberland so special, and adds to the permanent audio and visual archive of the area. OOT & ABOOT consistently exceeded our expectations and, according to all our feedback, those of our visitors, whether locals or visitors, young or old and an experience which they will remember long after their visit.

We have shared with you here the content of the exhibition.

Living and working in Coquetdale

Learn all about living and working in Coquetdale. Most families in the valley have made their living from farming, and many still do. Other traditional upland jobs and skills have disappeared over the years. Local people’s lives and work changed dramatically when better roads, mains water, reliable electricity and new technologies reached remote Coquetdale.

Dances

Social gatherings were an essential part of life in the valley. People would walk or ride long distances to meet up for weekly dances, seasonal parties and the annual agricultural shows. These were a chance to have fun, catch up with friends, play music and games and – perhaps – find a partner.

Shows

Agricultural shows have long been a highlight of Coquetdale’s calendar. The show at each village is different. Farming families would bring their best animals, crafts, baking and jams – and the competition could be fierce!

Weather

The weather in Coquetdale’s remote uplands has always been a challenge. It wasn’t unusual to have three months of heavy snow in winter. This would leave the valley cut off from the outside world.

Communication

Even today you can’t guarantee a phone signal deep in rural Coquetdale, and bad weather can still close roads and sweep away bridges. Long before telephones and computers arrived, people in the valley found inventive ways to communicate with each other and with the outside world.

Education

Coquetdale’s small schools have always offered a good education, but it hasn’t always been easy for the children to get to them. Many faced a long walk over the hills every day, or a lift if they were lucky. These journeys were especially tough in the winter.

Transport

Until relatively recently, walking was the main way to get about in Coquetdale. With poor roads and limited transport, two feet and a good pair of boots were essential for everything from getting to school, delivering the post and shepherding to going to dances and seeing friends.