Steelworks News (1976-1979)

Extracts from surviving editions of ‘Steelworks News’ 1976-1979 which superseded BWB News as Bilston Works’ newspaper – along with one cutting from local newspaper, The Express & Star, 1978, confirming the impending closure.

NOTE : when you have clicked on an image it can be further enlarged by clicking again on the arrow box at the bottom r/h corner for easy reading. To close the image simply click on it again.

Issue 49, 20 July 1978

Highlighting training and an interesting photograph of the old blast furnaces which was part of an exhibition at the local museum on Bilston ‘at war’ between 1939 and 1945.

Issue 49, 20th July 1978

How BSC were preparing for and entering into discussions on the future of the works…

Issue 49, 20th July 1978 – Sports Page

Here we have a host of familiar names as a reminder of those who participated in various sports activities. I spent many happy lunchtimes with sporting all-rounder Bob McGrath who also showed me who was boss on the bowling green….

Issue 50, 31st August 1978

Front page plea from Stan Bull for involvement in Bilston’s future along with a message from my ex-boss Tony Harrison to the works council and an interesting idea for alternative steelmaking which sadly did not come to fruition.

Issue 50, 31st August 1978

Highlighting Wolverhampton’s success in delivering the right bars on time to the right customers and plaudits to Bilston for supplying steel ingots in a hurry to a ‘private steelmaker’ no name provided – Round Oak perhaps ? One of Nick Hedges now famous photographs is also featured along with a move to Sheffield for John Carter.

Issue 51, 7th September 1978

A very interesting history of ironmaking in the area.

Issue 52, 21st September 1978

Great article following on from the previous page on ironmaking covering Elisabeth and her deserved pride of place at Bilston works.

Issue 57, 30th November 1978

High praise for the melting shop but warnings of difficult times ahead along with an eye-catching model to promote safety awareness.

Issue 58, 14th December 1978

Features on works photographer Kevin Abel, a local calendar and a poem with a safety-at-work theme.

Issue 66, 3rd May 1979

A very sad day for the melting shop and Bilston. I remember Harry Elwell and Ron Barnsley as those who would always take the time and trouble to explain things to me whenever I was on the landing; fitting that theirs was the last cast. Otherwise a very interesting page with history and facts concerning the melting shop and furnaces.

Issue 74, 4th October 1979

The sad announcement how Elisabeth, mothballed for the past two years was to be the first major part of the works to be demolished. Somehow the cartoon underneath just looks completely out of place.

Inside Page

More information on what was happening and pictures of the changing landscape.

FINAL Edition, Issue 75, 19th November 1979

The last issue with words and pictures which speak for themselves.

Centre page Spread

A warm reminiscence of the works, people and events over the years.

Express & Star June 1978

The only direct reference on this site to closure – an article detailing some of the reasons behind the demise of the works with comparisons to Shelton (which had already closed) and other plants which had been modernised such as Cooper Lloyd and Patent Shaft, deemed safe. Sadly, however, these also eventually faced closure.

Issue 52, 21st September 1978

Interesting article on a donation of iron residue from beneath Elisabeth to the Bilston museum, thanks to Sid Beesley and Barry Hodgson.