Twice the usual number of workers came to witness the last firing of the two giant furnaces. The photograph shows Joe Jones (seated centre front) with colleagues.

Work was under way to build a footbridge across the river, so that visitors would not have to wait for the ferry. Mr W. R. Thomson is quoted, and Worcestershire County Council is mentioned. A later article states that the work on the footbridge had been h

Black Country steelworkers went to Westminster to attend a mass lobby of MPs. The campaign was led by MP John Blackburn and Dudley Council.

The last steel making plant in the Black Country was closing down. David Clarke is quoted and South Yorkshire is mentioned. The photograph shows Bill Harris (right) of Round Oak Road, Wednesbury saying goodbye to Alan Johnson.

The Concise Shearing Group, Ron and Pauline Capper, West Bromwich, Bilston, Ken Williams, A. J. Morgan and Co, J. P. Machinery, Great Bridge, Randy Etheridge and Terry Brewer are mentioned in a brief history of the company.

The closure of Round Oak was likely to have an impact on many surrounding businesses and suppliers. The Dudley Chamber of Industry is mentioned, and Bryan Carnes, Grace Beckley, Councillor Reg Goode and Councillor Mary Pargeter are quoted. The photograph

Millionaires Don and Roy Richardson pledged to bring work and industry to the redundant steelworks site. The Urban Wildlife Group is mentioned, and the photograph shows Gerry Southall (left) handing Don Richardson a petition to preserve Merry Hill Farm.

An aerial view of the Dudley Enterprise zone with Pedmore Road running left to right and the old Round Oak steelworks at top centre.

The factory was evacuated after hydrofluoric acid escaped, emiting potentially lethal fumes across housing estates and a nearby service station. The Health and Safety Executive is mentioned.

Four men in steel helmets and one in a trilby inspect the blown out front of a shop. Timbers are holding up the first floor near the adjoined premises.