Rediscovering Our Roots: The 1976 Steel Walkway at Howden Colliery
Earlier this year, we received a touching message from Ken Green, who worked on a steel walkway project in 1976, back when we were known as Harbour & General. He’d spent years trying to find any record of it but came up empty.
Ken gave us some details he remembered: the steel walkway was approximately 600ft long, built in 100ft sections, and so large they had to cut down part of a gate just to transport it!
He reached out hoping to find a photo to show his grandchildren, who weren’t quite convinced by his story. Thanks to the efforts of our team, including Jim Loxam, Head of Customer and Stakeholder Engagement, Stuart Newby, National Framework Manager, and a helpful memory from former colleague Chris MacNamara, who recalled erecting the walkway, we traced the project back to Howden Colliery in County Durham.
After digging through our archives, we found a photo of the walkway, and Ken’s reaction said it all: “I could not believe my eyes when I saw the photo. l was nearly in tears after 49 years… it’s amazing. I can’t thank you enough. I can show everybody.”
It’s moments like these that remind us how meaningful our work can be; not just for communities, but for the people who helped build them.
Thank you, Ken, for sharing your story, and for your incredible contribution.
