BWB News (1973-1976)

See also ‘Steelworks News’ which followed on as Bilston works’ local newspaper.

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Bilston, Wolverhampton & Birchley Works Information Paper #1

Newspaper style and sized information on Bilston, Woverhampton and Birchley Works probably issued in 1973.

Bilston, Wolverhampton & Birchley Works Information Paper #2

This is a slight zoom in of page two to provide an easier read on Elisabeth…

Bilston, Wolverhampton & Birchley Works Information Paper #3

Page two of the information newspaper looking at the steelmaking, degassing and teeming facilities at Bilston.

BWB News April 1975

This was the first edition of the BWB Works Newspaper.

BWB News June 1975

Here is a special article covering Bilston’s railway transport system and the men who made it all work.

BWB News August 1975

BWB’s own newspaper started up in the mid 1970’s (please correct me if mistaken). Here is a repeat of the picture already printed in Steel News, September 1975, of Jim Latham receiving his cheque from Mr Cotterill.

BWB News September 1975

Various articles with headline NUB Dispute and interesting article on Dry Hearths in the Melting Shop. For some reason the name of the new Works Manager was omitted under ‘Getting to know you’ feature – it was of course Bill Church.

BWB News November 1975

More news of happenings at BWB. I recognise many of the faces of the girls with Sheila Jones – I just wish I could remember the names. There is one whom I do remember on the extreme left of the picture – Molly. If anyone can furnish further names I would be very grateful.

BWB News January 1976

Articles on Elisabeth’s 21st Birthday and the sad demise of Birchley Works. The Elisabeth feature is interesting since it reveals the actual date of being blown in – 15th December 1954.

BWB News February 1976 Two Page Spread – Left Page

This side of the two-page spread highlighted the high output of the works along with pictures complementing the opposite page’s article on crane drivers.

BWB News February 1976 – Two Page Spread – Right Page

Excellent tribute to the men in the unusual and highly skilled job of operating the overhead cranes in the melting shop. The men pictured above are Tommy Pounds (top left) and I believe Terry Hawkes beneath. Due to the binding of the pages it was impossible to read the names clearly however Tommy Pounds is referred to within the article.

BWB News March 1976

My predecessor in Export Sales, Jerry Fieldhouse is featured highlighting Bilston’s export sales.

BWB News May 1976

This launched the Bilston Quality 76 campaign, announced Nick Hedges arrival to photograph the people of BWB – his images are a fine tribute. There is also an article on Arthur Griffiths with whom I worked when in the Wages department and in the lower picture is A.R. (Tony) Harrison who was the Manager of the Billet Sales Department.

Double End Firing

Here Bryn Jones (right) impresses Ron Johnson of BSC’s Technical Division with the Double End Firing technique leading to installation of furnace instrumentation required to properly control the process.