Steel News was BSC’s own weekly newspaper and free to all employees. It was published ‘by division’ and featured works within that division. Bilston was part of the Special Steels Division headquartered in Sheffield so much of the newspaper covered steelworks in Sheffield, Rotherham, Wrexham (Brymbo) and Pontypool (Panteg) as well as Bilston. This meant that only individual articles on Bilston would appear scattered throughout the paper therefore these sections tend not to be full page reproductions unlike BWB and Steelworks News which were dedicated in full to Bilston, Wolverhampton and Birchley works.
Original Cutting (from Blast Furnace office wall)
This was Elisabeth’s way of welcoming new manager David Hunter on his arrival!
New Works Manager
Appointment of Roy Mortimore as Works Manager.
Sportsmen Get Trophies
I knew John Elsmore when in Sales at Wolverhampton Works. John was the Production Controller and the man I relied on when customers chased their orders. He also had a very nice red Ford Capri GTXL (Mk. IA).
Bilston Prizegiving
Report on prizes given to apprentices and trainees along with a keynote speech on export markets by the then General Manager Derek Saul.
Reline for Elisabeth
Interesting picture taken looking up inside Elisabeth. The four ports for the gas offtakes are clearly visible. The entire charging system and hopper has been removed and although there is a lot of equipment above we are actually looking up into open air – note the sun’s shadow towards the bottom of the picture.
Elisabeth re-lights Elisabeth
Wonderful picture of then General Manager Derek Saul’s daughter Elisabeth (incorrectly spelled with a ‘z’ – see under Gallery/Relining Elisabeth) bravely lighting Elisabeth to commence the fifth campaign. Helping hold the torch is Cyril (‘Sid’) Beesley; David Hunter has his back to the camera, smoking a pipe and wearing his distinctive metal safety helmet.
Shooting Prize : October 1971
Wearing his Royal Navy blazer, Cyril (‘Sid’) Beesley who worked in blast furnace raw materials control picks up the works shooting prize alongside runner-up Ted Timmins who worked in the blast furnace office; I was his right hand man – for a year !
January 1972
Announcing a new structure for the Special Steels Division along with promotions for Derek Saul and Humphrey Hawksley. Mr Saul was replaced by Mr Peter D. Allen and I believe Mr Hawksley was replaced by Mr G. Forster.
Humour in Steel News
Cartoon from March 1972 when Britain suffered power cuts during a miners strike.
Engineers Trophy
Peter Allen presenting an award to Ted Hallwood of C.E.S. in June 1972.
November 1972
Appointment of Roy Mortimore as Acting General Manager following the departure of Mr Peter Allen.
Mayoral Visit
Bilston works was always on the list of key workplaces for civic visitations.
New Chargers
New overhead cranes installed for the soaking pits in the rolling mill.
