page_title: Consett Iron Company
section_title: Closure
hierarchical_section_title: Consett Iron Company / Closure
caption_attribution_description: English: Terris Novalis stainless steel sculpture of a theodolite alongside the C2C trail The C2C trail between Whitehaven and Sunderland. From SusTerris Novalis by Tony Cragg This work consists of two measuring instruments; a theodolite and an engineer's level, faithfully reproduced an incredible twenty times life size, standing approximately six metres tall. Made from stainless steel and supported on animal feet, this awe inspiring work is visible for many miles and stands as a monument to the history of the area and a prominent mile marker for the C2C cycle route. The animal feet that hold these instruments aloft were inspired by symbolic heraldry found on shields, coats of arms, plaques and similar items associated with land and ownership. Included are a bird of prey, a horse lion, crocodile, cow and a primate's hand. Cast in solid stainless steel, from originals carved by Tony Cragg, these large feet are both beautiful and at the same time, daunting. The work sited at Consett, marks the watershed between the upland / moorland landscape and the extremes of the Industrial Age. Built on the Stanhope and Tyne Railway Line - the earliest commercial railway in Britain - Terris Novalis marks what was once Europe's largest steel works. Local people see this landmark as a monument to the scale of local industry and its demise - the tragedy that has followed. trans website:
context_page_description: The Consett Iron Company Ltd was an industrial business based in the Consett area of County Durham in the United Kingdom. The company owned coal mines and limestone quarries, and manufactured iron and steel. It was registered on 4 April 1864 as successor to the Derwent & Consett Iron Company Ltd. This in turn was the successor to the Derwent Iron Company, founded in 1840.
  The company's seven collieries and various coke ovens came into the ownership of the National Coal Board, when British coal companies were nationalised in 1947. The Consett Iron Company itself was nationalised in 1951, becoming part of the Iron and Steel Corporation of Great Britain. It was denationalised shortly afterwards, then renationalised in 1967. The Consett Iron Company was absorbed into British Steel Corporation in 1967, and the location became known as the Consett Steel Works. British Steel Consett Works was closed in 1980.
context_section_description: Amidst intense debate and large demonstrations by workers and sympathizers, Consett Steel Works was closed in 1980. Around 3,000 - 4,000 workers lost their jobs, resulting in an unemployment rate of 35% in Consett, twice the national average at the time.
  The sky over Consett, which had long been famous for its thick haze of red iron oxide dust thrown up by the steelworks, cleared as did the cloud of steam typically found around the tall cooling towers and chimneys. Some Consett steel workers took part in the demolition.
  Almost all traces of the Consett steelworks have been removed. Only the Terra Novalis sculptures (pictured), made with materials from the site, recall past industry. Employment gradually returned to the area in the following decade, with a more diversified industrial base.
caption: Terra Novalis Stainless steel sculpture beside the coast-to-coast (C2C) path at Consett.
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