October 2015:
THE END OF
TEESSIDE IRON & STEEL
12th Oct 2015: The news no one wanted but everyone expected. No buyers have come forward. The Redcar Blast Furnace and Coke Ovens will now be blown out. 2,200 direct jobs will be lost with upwards of 8,000 including contractors and supply chain. This final act comes exactly 175 years after Bolckow & Vaughan were building their first plant on the Tees at Vulcan Street, Middlesbrough in 1840.
OCT 24th 2015:
ESTON BEACON TRIBUTE
We, (The Friends of Eston Hills) organised a ‘beacon tribute’ at the top of the hills which spawned the industry on Teesside. A synchronised flashing of torches for all of Teesside to see was followed with the Last Post sounded by David Mackin and a recital of a short verse that I wrote for the occasion (see on poster above). There were also short speeches from MPs Anna Turley and Tom Blenkinsop. I managed to get The Guardian to come up who ran a major feature. Big Thanks to everyone who made this an inspired event despite the solemn times. And to Ian Forsyth and Mel Ullswater for the photos.
A good rant on the radio...a perfect way to start the day!
And from the end of Corus in 2009 when the plant was mothballed...
