During the 1970s, the train ride home from a day out in Redcar passed between the three blast furnaces and the coke ovens at South Bank. It was a hellish vision, fire, smoke and steam, sparks flying everywhere, the smell of sulphur and benzene with the occasional glimpse of men emerging from the murk. I loved it.
I took these photographs in the late 1980’s during the demolition of the blast furnaces.
Teesside’s steel industry was born in the 1850’s and died in October 2015. Steelworker Mike Guess took it upon himself to record the final few years of iron and steel making on Teesside. ..the mothball, restart and eventual closing of iron and steelmaking on Teesside was something that I was not going to fail to record. It was almost an obligation to future generations..
As well as Mike’s beautiful book there is currently a new exhibition, Steel Stories at the Kirkleatham Museum.
High and dry in twenty ten. The options roll out but none appeal. he needs his son to feel alive
Seven Pounds of Hope and Five Ounces of Fear by Ray Lonsdale
They may be men of steel but they are men with loves, responsibilities and nowhere to go. They are men who make things…things that have built countries.
Wipe Clean with a Soft Cloth by Ray Lonsdale
No more smoke, dirt, noise or ugly views and peaceful in the job centre queues.
An Arm Full of Sharp Things by Ray Lonsdale
The Smell of Water 