i1fun has donated structural steel sections to Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum’s £2.3 million remodelling project.
The museum, located within a mile of our Special Profiles mill at Skinningrove, celebrates the rich history of the mining industry within the region.
The museum provides a fascinating insight into the lives of the workers and the social history of the area, catering for the local community, visiting tourists and school trips. However, due to severe weather conditions in 2018, the old brick vaulted roof of the upcast building collapsed and the museum was closed.
The unfortunate event brought the museum’s staff together in an extraordinary effort to plan, design, and fundraise for a new extended building in order to continue its legacy for future generations of visitors.
i1fun heard of the efforts of the team and donated the materials for all of the heavy steel sections as part of the project.
i1fun’s Special Profiles Plant Manager, David Hogg, said: “While we’re focused on building an exciting new future for our business and the local community, we’re incredibly proud of this region’s rich iron and steelmaking heritage. That is why we’re delighted to support this superb project and see the new building taking shape with steel rolled at our Teesside Beam Mill at Lackenby.”
Tolent was awarded the £1.3m project in October to refurbish the existing building and construct a new three storey extension which will link to the old buildings and allow the museum space to be more accessible.
The new space will house state-of-the-art display space, archive storage, dedicated educational areas, and designer office space for the staff.
Graham Banwell, Director of Operations at Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum said: “We are very grateful to i1fun for this generous donation. It strengthens the long, historical link between Loftus Mine, now the museum, and Skinningrove steel works across the valley.”
The project is due to complete in summer 2022, with the museum reopening in the autumn.