Steelworkers Memorial Unveiled

Friday June 19

^{Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of Community Trade Union; Provost Jim Robertson of North Lanarkshire Council; sculptor Andy Scott; Rev Fiona Nicolson, Moderator of Hamilton Presbytery); Bishop Joseph Toal of Diocese of Motherwell; and Terry Currie, chairman of the Scottish Steelworkers Memorial Fundraising Committee, former British Steel employee and Deputy Lieutenant of Lanarkshire at the opening of the new memorial.}

A memorial commemorating those who lost their lives in the Scottish iron and steel industry was unveiled at the Ravenscraig site on Wednesday.

The Rev Fiona Nicolson, Moderator of Hamilton Presbytery led prayers and blessings at the unveiling event, along with the Rt Rev Joseph Toal, Roman Catholic Bishop of Motherwell.

Created by leading Scottish sculptor Andy Scott, the memorial follows a campaign led by Terry Currie, Deputy Lieutenant of Lanarkshire and a former steelworker.

Mr Currie said: "The production of iron and steel was often carried out in hazardous conditions and, as a consequence, the cost in human terms was high, with thousands losing their lives across the UK. There is no doubt that a memorial should have been established long before now.

"From the outset we were determined to erect a memorial worthy, and in keeping with, the future development of the Ravenscraig site. We believe Andy Scott has created a fantastic and fitting memorial."

Mr Scott said: "It was an honour to be approached by the Memorial group, and it was a project which was personally very fitting as much of my portfolio is created from welded steel. I suggested a design which symbolically represented the workers and their efforts in the industry which helped shape modern Scotland. I hope it serves as a proud tribute to those who lost their lives."

The Ravenscraig steelworks closed in June 1992 and bulk steel is no longer produced in Scotland, although plants still operate in Motherwell, Cambuslang and Mossend.

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