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Steel workers
The photographs of steelworkers were taken between 1976 and 1978 on two sites in the West Midlands. Birchley Rolling Mills which was the last hand rolling mills in the country, and Bilston Steelworks, both run by the state owned British Steel Corporation. The sites were shut down within four years and 2,000 men and women lost their jobs. In each case a high quality product was produced and both sites were comfortably in profit when closed. Steelwork demands high levels of skill and experience, and at the same time is both physically demanding and extremely dangerous. This mix of artistry and strength bred a unique and proud culture.
