When Teesside steelworkers marched in the hopes of a brighter future

CORUS steelworkers were among thousands of protestors who marched through Birmingham to draw the Government's attention to the crumbling manufacturing industry, fifteen years ago.

The workers travelled to the Midlands from Teesside Cast Products (TCP) as they sought help to keep the plant open, in May 2009.

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The livelihoods of 2,000 workers and a further 1,000 contractors at the site in Redcar, east Cleveland, were put at risk when a consortium of four international companies reneged on a ten-year agreement to buy 78 per cent of the steel it produced.

Geoff Waterfield, multi-union chairman at the plant, said: "We feel that if we can get plenty of publicity we can keep the pressure on the company and on the Government, so we are not forgotten."

March For Jobs, which was organised by union Unite, aimed to persuade the Government to mimic the steps other European countries have taken to safeguard manufacturing.

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Motorists were being urged to leave their cars at home for a day in an attempt to improve their health, cut congestion and help the planet.

Durham County Council wanted people to take up the challenge of its third Do It Different Day, on Thursday, June 4, in 2009.

The council asked business people, residents and visitors to travel to Durham by other means than the car.

Travel planning team leader Ian Henry said: "Even one day a week not using the car would have a great effect."

Young footballers in Grangetown were celebrating a big win in May 2009 after securing a £20,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

The award to Grangetown Youth and Community Centre completed a £35,000 package to erect fencing around the three pitches used by its junior teams, at their Broadway base.

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Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council contributed £10,000, with the remaining money coming from a variety of sources, including local businesses.

Club chairman and secretary Peter Quantrill said: "We've had real problems over the years, with motorbikes tearing across the field during games and burnt-out cars left on the pitches, forcing us to cancel matches.

"Now we've got 120 young lads who are absolutely thrilled to bits - and so many people to thank."