Unsecure chicken perches

[Couperman]

Doom and gloom a plenty around here.

 

This morning the 'Salamander' was tapped at Redcar's blast furnace as the plant is brought offline to be mothballed with the loss of 1600 jobs and many more lost indirectly.

 

'Tapping the Salamander' is the the removal of the last molten metal from the bottom of the furnace where the 'Salamander' lives in steel making folklore. This is normally left in when the blast furnace is running. Once this last bit is tapped the Salamander dies, as does the furnace and 170 years of steel production on Teesside.

 

Once the furnace is cold it will need re-lining if it is ever to run again. This is an expensive and lengthy process and despite what Mr Mandelson might say is unlikely to happen (according to those who work there).

 

I can see the tumbleweed rolling down the Highstreet already.

 

Apparently the recession is over. Yeah right.

 

**doom-link**

 

Dark day indeed. It's quite ironic that the company that owns Corus is called TaTa.

 

Kev.

[Jules.]

[bluekarin]

That is sad, sad news indeed. It's such a shame when things like this end. Surely it will cost more in the long run in benefits etc to the now unemployed people than keeping the furnace going.

[Cooks]

so sad

[Couperwife]

its a shame that so many young people in the area will now seriously struggle to find work, in fact, not just young people, everyone

 

its been a major part of the area for so long

 

not too sure what will happen up here now

 

cathy

x

[Charlottechicken]

I can empathise Couperman

 

Since 2005 we have lost just about every large Birmingham manufacturer, Rover, LDV, Simple (now relocated to Eastern Europe) and many small companies to boot. Now with the sell off of Cadbury's I expect them to relocate overseas (I live close by and they have sold a chunk of land already) . We used to be the city of 1001 trades, I don't think we have many left

[Couperman]

I can empathise Couperman

 

Since 2005 we have lost just about every large Birmingham manufacturer, Rover, LDV, Simple (now relocated to Eastern Europe) and many small companies to boot. Now with the sell off of Cadbury's I expect them to relocate overseas (I live close by and they have sold a chunk of land already) . We used to be the city of 1001 trades, I don't think we have many left

 

Yes, I think it is a similar story everywhere. The sad thing is once they have gone they stay gone. It's happening in the chemical industry too.

 

Nation of shopkeepers.

 

Never mind the wonderful politician types will save us.

 

Kev.

[Space Chick]

I live very near the Corus Port Talbot plant, and so us South Wales folk really feel for you guys on Teeside.

 

So many of my friends families have people working in the plant, and it is a scary and nervous time (as we have already lost one very major factory and several smaller ones).

 

Sending postive vibes up north

[chick wiggle]

I have been to the Redcar plant a few times and it is very sad times and my heart goes out to everyone involved up there

[Charlottechicken]

 

Dark day indeed. It's quite ironic that the company that owns Corus is called TaTa.

 

Kev.

 

Uh oh, just saw this bit, they own Land Rover don't they? Just waiting for them to up sticks and move out too

 

TaTa I believe, had a hand in the so called saviour of Rover, the CityRover, which, appropriately, turned out to be a right load of TaT(a) .

 

RIP British industry

[Seagazer]

Its happening in so many industries, my OH has been redundant since August and we must literally know about 8 other friends who are in the same boat. DD's boyfriend's dad has been out of work since last April.

[Charlottechicken]

So sorry to read that, it must be such a struggle for you all Seagazer.

[Old Speckled Hen]

I feel so much for everybody over there. I remember being only a few years out of university. My then boyfriend and I had so many plans for the future. His family came from Durham and most worked in steel; but when the Consett steelworks closed down in 1980, it left a huge void in the community as 4,500 lost their jobs.

My bf couldn't live with his hard earned but easy profession so gave up and went home to help. It broke us up and we lost touch

Many of the former workers were out of work for years, and unemployment reached 35%.

 

However, against all the odds, the town’s fortunes have changed, the former workers found employment, and now Consett is once again prospering so there is hope.

 

Government Don't talk about government!