9/8/2006 - Record office shows its metal through research into Workington steel

A new research project will open a window into Cumbria's economic past thanks to a successful bid for a National Archives grant.

Cumbria County Council’s record office and local studies library in Whitehaven has been awarded a grant of almost £19,000 to catalogue the records of the British Steel Corporation and the steelworks in Workington.

Workington steelworks shaped the development of the town and the surrounding area. It also shaped the industrial revolution as the steel was shipped around the world to build railways. There have been steelworks in the town since 1856, and the works have been run by companies including United Steel Companies Ltd, British Steel Corporation and CORUS. There has been continuous production until now, but production is ceasing in a fortnight following a decision by parent company CORUS to transfer its rail track production to Scunthorpe.

The research grant is administered by the National Archives and has been provided by the Pilgrim Trust and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, along with a donation by the Friends of Cumbria Archives. Out of 70 applications to the National Archives only 11 grants were made, including the one to Whitehaven.

Councillor Roger Bingham, cabinet member responsible for culture and communities, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for a collection of huge local significance to be catalogued. Hopefully we will discover and preserve the enormous contribution that steel has made both economically and culturally to Workington and Cumbria."

Whitehaven record office has already started cataloguing the records, and hopes to get more donated before the end of the project.   The collection includes a large number of photographs, both of the works and the staff, including social events.

Project archivist Ruth MacLeod said: "We're hoping that former workers and others associated with the steel works will be able to help identify some of the people in the pictures - so please get in touch with us. The more contributions we have, the more we can complete the documentary picture of the history of the steel works."