Workers Co-operative Members

The co-op members bring a large variety of skills and expertise to the project including education and training, community development, environmental consultancy, community arts and practical conservation skills. Currently we have 8 co-op members:

Jill Essam - jill@harehopequarry.org.uk
A qualified teacher of geography and science. Jill has considerable experience of teaching mainstream education as well delivering field studies and environmental education. She also has also worked in rural community development work and has used these skills in helping to develop and manage our project. She leads on our education and community programmes as well as fund-raising for specific projects and activities.
Tom Mercer - tom@harehopequarry.org.uk
An aquatic biologist with considerable consultancy experience and an environmental educator in a former life. He takes the lead on the smallholding; managing the chicken flocks, carp ponds and the ‘Pig Club’. Tom generally keeps the day-to-day project infrastructure going, such as our ‘off-grid’ alternative energy system, milk float and eco-classroom maintenance.
Ray Gill - ray@harehopequarry.org.uk
A musician and green woodworker. Ray has been a crucial member of the classroom's construction team. He will be involved in green woodworking training at the quarry as well as other rural skills training projects.
Liz Gill - liz@harehopequarry.org.uk
Teacher and musiciany arty person. Liz teaches full time at Wearhead School in upper Weardale and gets involved as and when.
Su Cooper - su@harehopequarry.org.uk
A Geologist and busy mother of three. Sue is active in the Rock Detectives and community composting scheme.
Rachel Clarke
An artist and arts co-ordinator. Rachel is one of the evil geniuses behind the amazing 'Rock Cops' and 'It Rocks', educational entertainments for young people. Rachel is involved in a long term arts project 'Semi-Precious' which stems from her residency in the Klondike tracing the life of a 19th Century Weardale miner.
Jill Dales
An educator at Newcastle University medical school. Jill brings her educational expertise to the project as well as devoting time to the construction of the classroom.
Steve Dales
A visual artist and film-maker. Steve is developing arts and media activities based in the quarry.
Dave Stevenson
IT specialist in earth sciences and physics but experimental green allotmenteer and "Good Life" wannabe. Interested in local food and traditional cooking and brewing skills. Likes to build stuff using wood, stone and occassionally bamboo. Musically inept but blows Japanese bamboo flute anyway and enjoys other zen arts.
Becky Haynes
Martin Haynes
Louise Clark
Tony Clark

Latest News

Working for a Future in Frosterley
08th Jun 2010
The Harehope Quarry Project have been awarded funding to 'kick start' a project in Frosterley to look at how Frosterley can become more sustainable in the light of climate change and peak oil. We are starting the project with a number of film showings at Frosterley Village Hall. These will include 'The Inconvenient Truth' and 'In Transition' on 17 June 2010, from 8.00pm and 'The Age of Stupid' on 24 June 2010, from 8.00pm. These will be be followed by an intial meeting on the 30 June 2010 to explain the project and encourage people to get involved.
The Great Rock Tour
17th Dec 2009
On yet another wet and windy Sunday in November, an intrepid group of children and adults set out to experience the "Great Rock Tour". The group, the North Pennines Rock Detective Club from Harehope Quarry, set out in two minibuses bravely driven by Weardale Community Transport! One minibus went west, whilst the other headed east. The two groups went in search of rocks, which are typical of the North Pennines. A small rock sample was taken from each site within the North Pennines Geopark and will be sent to a Geopark in southern France. The Reserve Geologique de Haute-Provence will be sent the rock samples, which will be incorporated into their "Children of the Earth" monument containing rock samples from around the world.
The Last Wilderness
20th Aug 2009
10th-12th September 2009, 7pm Harehope Quarry, Frosterley The Last Wilderness is a new site-specific creation from Changeling Productions, the theatre company known for creating unique work in unusual places throughout the UK and Europe. The Last Wilderness is the dramatic story of Thomas Allman, a North Pennines hill farmer, faced with the biggest decision of his life. Should he sell his farm to the mysterious stranger who apparently offers him the answer to all his problems? Haunted by the failures and betrayals of the past and his hopes for the future Thomas finds himself journeying to The Last Wilderness, a place where he must face up to who he is and what he is. Performances will take place over three evenings in the beautiful surroundings of Harehope Quarry in Frosterley, an eco-project that explores sustainable living, where the world-famous Frosterley Marble was originally quarried.

Next Events

North Pennines Rock Detectives club: Harsh environments
25th Sep 2010
10.30am – 1.00pm. Come and find out what plants and animals can tolerate living with lead on the Hudeshope Beck in Middleton-in-Teesdale. Contact for details.
Volunteer day
09th Oct 2010
10.00am – 4.00pm. Join our regular volunteering event. Tasks will include the continued work on the eco-classroom and nature reserve management. Refreshments and a light lunch are provided so if you intend to come please let us know so we have an idea of numbers.
Halloween fun!
31st Oct 2010
4.00pm – 6.00pm. Come and help us celebrate the end of summer and the onset of the long dark nights of winter. A mixture of Halloween, Celtic New Year and a bonfire thrown in! Adults £4.50, Children £2.50, Families £9.00. Drop-in.