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SA13

News for the community

Issue 1 April 2008

Walk on the wild side


Less noise, cleaner air
Page 4

Taking your complaints seriously


Page 7

Thinking of a career with Corus?


Page 8

Bag a prize in our kids competition


Page 11

GENERAL NEWS
Dr Hywel Francis

Dear resident

New MD at the helm


Mr Uday Kumar Chaturvedi.

Welcome to Corus SA13, the new quarterly community newsletter for residents in Port Talbot and the surrounding district.
As a major employer in the area, we think it is important to keep you up-to-date with what is happening in Corus. Being on your doorstep does bring with it its own challenges, but wherever possible Corus aims to work with the community to minimise the effect of its activities on residents and the surrounding neighbourhood at all times. In a community like Port Talbot much of the local news is passed by word of mouth, and like chinese whispers the message tends to distort with each exchange, so that sometimes people get the wrong end of the stick which can create bad feelings and name-calling. We would therefore like to think that as a resident you would like to receive information wherever possible first hand straight from the horses mouth, so to speak. It is an inescapable fact that Corus is part of the regions steelmaking heritage and are grateful for the support we receive, and in return proud to be able to play our full part in the community your community. We hope that you will find this first issue of Corus SA13 both interesting and informative, and we would welcome any comments you may have about it. It is impossible to cover everything in just one edition so we shall try to provide a range of topical articles relating to our operational and community activities in future editions. The next one will be due out in July. Pleasant reading. Keith Farron, Editor SA13

As SA13 goes to print, Corus is pleased to announce the arrival of Mr Uday Kumar Chaturvedi, the new Managing Director of CSP UK, from Tata Steel in India.

Mr Chaturvedi, who was previously vice-president of Tata Steel Group, Jamshedpur, India (the company that bought Corus last year), is the new Managing Director of Corus Strip Products UK, having previously spent various periods of time working and studying in the United States, France, the UK (University of Strathclyde), and Lucknow, India. Mr Chaturvedi continues to hold a number of director positions in India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand. Mr Chaturvedis arrival closely follows two recent investment announcements for Port Talbot a 60m project enhancing existing energy recovery capabilities and 9m capital spend in its coke-making facility, bringing total investment since 2002 across the three Corus Strip Product UK sites (Port Talbot, Llanwern and Pontarddulais) to 400m. Mr Chaturvedi feels very strongly about corporate citizenship and has already indicated he is keen to extend Tatas ethos by actively promoting the companys values through trust, honesty, integrity and transparency, both within the workforce and the wider community.

Thumbs up
Dr Hywel Francis, the MP for Aberavon, thinks a community magazine for the people of Port Talbot is a great idea. He says, Through this newsletter we can come to a greater understanding of Corus and how its activities impact on a community, the economy and our environment.

Corus launches community website


To coincide with the launch of SA13 community newspaper, our website has undergone a makeover to include an external community website. As from April 2008 you will be able to find information relating to events and communityrelated activities supported exclusively by Corus Strip Products UK across South Wales.
The site is designed to be practical, by providing easy access with the minimum of clicks to reach relevant items of choice. From information on future career paths and vacancies in Corus, guides on education and learning, to the latest community activities and events, you will be able to find it here. As the website expands, so too will the range of contents, providing more articles and more informative links to other complementary websites So go on, try it!

Contents
Fan-tata-tastic - introducing our new owner Sinter stack silenced Dust-busting@Corus Making clouds from coke Energy control centre - on all for your complaints Careers@Corus Corus in the community Childrens competition Contact us 3 4 5 6 7 8 9-11 11 12

www.corussouthwales.co.uk
Front cover picture: Time to get your walking shoes on now that the weather is improving. You do not have to go far to find pretty countryside walks on your doorstep - like the bluebells in Cwm-y-Brombil woods. The cover picture was taken in May last year. For more details, turn to page 10.

Corus SA13 News for the community

GENERAL NEWS

Fan-tata-tastic
You may be familiar with Corus, but what do you know about Tata, the company that now owns us?
Its amazing, but just 12 months ago Port Talbot steelworks was in the spotlight following the acquisition of Corus plc by the Tata Corporation for 6.2bn. activity in mining and minerals sector (especially in Africa), so as to secure raw material supplies for its steel manufacturing group into the future. Steel is very much a global commodity. The acquisition means that Tata has access to established markets and distribution networks across Europe and North America whilst providing similar access to Corus products through India and the Far East. Tata has made no secret of the fact that it intends to increase its global steel production base still further through acquisition. Tata Corporation, however, is no newcomer to the world stage. It has already celebrated its centenary in 2007, and before acquiring Corus, Tata comprised a total of 98 companies spanning seven business sectors as diverse as IT, energy, engineering, mining, chemicals, services and consumer goods. For many in the UK, the name first came to light when Tata acquired Tetley Tea from Cadbury Schweppes just over six years ago. In 2004 Tata Motors added Daewoo Commercial Vehicles to its automotive range, having previously entered into joint ventures with Daimler-Benz, MG Rover, and other manufacturers in Spain and South America. Almost a year on from Tatas acquisition of Corus, Tata has done it again. Two months ago the Tata Nano was launched as the cheapest passenger production vehicle in the world, costing just $2,500. Tata also announced it had bought Jaguar and Land Rover from the Ford Corporation, in a deal worth just over 1bn. It dovetails nicely with Corus Automotives R&D expertise in this field.

Over a century and counting

1868

Jamsetji Tata establishes the Central India Spinning & Weaving Manufacturing Company.

1903 Taj Mahal Palace hotel


is first for the Tata family.

Tata Group Chairman, Ratan Tata.

1907 The Tata Iron & Steel


Company is formed. In 1912 the 8-hour working day for employees is introduced here, long before many countries in the West implemented it!

At the time all our interest was focused on the effect this takeover might have within the global steel industry itself. The deal linked Corus with one of the worlds most profitable steel companies and has created the fifth largest steelmaker in the world with a capability to make more than 35 million tonnes of crude steel a year - five million tonnes of which is set to be made here in Port Talbot. In the same week that Tata acquired Corus, it also signed a $100m energy contract with BP to jointly fund the largest solar panel production facility in India. Indeed, since April last year, Tata has seen growth continue with a string of merger and joint venture

1932

Tata takes to the airways with its own airline, becoming Air India.

1945 Tata Engineering and


Locomotive Co. is founded. In 2003 it becomes Tata Motors.

1991 Current Chairman Ratan


Tata takes over Tata Group from JRD Tata. The company manufactures its one-millionth vehicle.

1998 Tata produces their


Indica - Indias first indigenous car design.

2000

Acquires Tetley Tea Company ($407m).

2001 Tata enters financial


services sector, and by 2005 issues its own Tata credit card.

2004 Acquires National Steel


($292m) and Daewoo Commercial Vehicles ($102m).

2005 Acquires Millennium Steel,


Thailand ($167m).

2007 Acquires Corus plc (6.2bn). 2008


Acquires Jaguar and Land Rover cars (1.1bn). Tata Motors launches the $2,500 Nano.

Corus SA13 News for the community

ENVIRONMENT

Less noise, cleaner air


Last year Corus invested almost 1 million into a noise suppression system for the sinter plant stack. The new technology aims to reduce noise by about 90 per cent. The sound had been generated by the induction systems, which draw air into and up the sinter plant stack. Sinter plant and stack.
The technology was installed last autumn, but since then, monitoring by local residents has shown that it has not proved entirely successful. Owing to a miscalculation by the company that manufactured the equipment, it has not eliminated the low-pitched droning noise. Richard Leonard, Environment Manager, says, We worked with some of the worlds leading acoustic experts to identify how we could best tackle the problem. It involved intensive monitoring of vibration and sound frequency.

and other ingredients ke co e, or n iro es ar ep pr nt pla The sinter the blast furnaces. to make a key raw material for
Example of sinter.
First we lagged the sinter plants main gas waste gas ductwork, but the solution has been not just a matter of muffling sound sources, but reducing the number and extent of moving parts and running plant at special levels. We have also added a state-of-the-art silencer, and efforts to draw particulate matter out of the flues continues. To test the noise reduction technology, some residents were provided with equipment to record the frequency and time when sinter plant noise is heard. The plant is relatively distant from local residents, but as many as 2,000 households are still thought to be affected by the noise. The manufacturer has agreed to replace the faulty equipment as quickly as possible, but installation and commissioning may still be a couple of months or so away, concludes Richard.

Silence is golden
Traditional silencers work by absorbing and muffling the noise. A reactive silencer, such as the one installed in the sinter plant, works by deflecting the sound waves back towards their source, which cancels out some of the unpleasant noise frequencies.

Stacking-up a better plume


A new process, which Corus hopes will reduce the production of hazardous by-product, is thought to be producing a more visible plume from the sinter stack.
The 135-metre tall sinter stack is the most obvious feature on the landscape, and in fresh and clear atmospheric conditions the emission is at its most visible. The emission is compliant with the Pollution Prevention Control Regulations and it is monitored by the Environment Agency, says Richard Leonard, Environment Manager. Our efforts to improve our environmental impact have been successful, but it is ironic that the process material that we are using creates a more visible plume. The issue is not unique; it is shared by other members of the steelmaking community including Arcelor Mittal, the worlds biggest metal producer, and also Corus other UK integrated steelworks in Scunthorpe. Corus research and development team at the Swinden Technology Centre near Rotherham is looking into the problem. Since February, we have been conducting a series of experiments varying the volumes of treatment material into the sinter plant to monitor the content and the visibility of the plume, says Richard. We will keep you informed of progress in the summer edition of SA13.

View along sinter plant strand towards oven.

Corus SA13 News for the community

ENVIRONMENT

Air quality its in the monitoring


The town of Port Talbot and surrounding area has a long history of industrial and commercial activity, which has drawn people to settle here. Like any other urban settlement, this and peoples day-to-day activities leads to the release of chemicals into the air. Depending on the levels and types of activity in the area, this can result in air pollution.
Once in the atmosphere, these chemicals are subjected to various atmospheric processes that may change their physical and chemical form, such as the effects of sunlight, wind, rain, humidity, etc. Even the topography of the landscape like that of Port Talbot especially its proximity to the coast and hills will have an effect on the local air quality. Local air quality is therefore monitored 24 hours a day. Who carries out the monitoring? Corus monitors the air quality on its own sites, while Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council has set up monitoring stations at strategic sites in and around the town. Their readings are provided on an hourly basis. Other methods rely on providing semi-automatic information, as well as manual sample collections. This data is reported to the Council and shared with the Welsh Air Quality Forum and the Environment Agency.

What is monitored?
Sulphur Dioxide Ozone Carbon Monoxide Nitrogen Dioxide PM10 particulates Airborne particles Typical monitoring station in Port Talbot.

Dust in particulate
Airborne dust has always been an issue for local residents, so Corus has initiated a programme to reduce the generation of airborne particulate material. The dust-busting programme pays special attention to areas most prone to dust. These include ore and sinter beds, conveyors, raw material crushers and road transport activity.
The project comes following a bad year in 2007 for particulate matter, despite levels declining over the past ten years - which is very good news. Despite the wet summer last year, we also had some long dry periods that followed a particularly dry spring - April 2007 was reported to be the driest on record. Maximum levels for particulate material are agreed with the Local Authority and Environment Agency Wales and stand at 50 micrograms per cubic metre of normal air. Normally, average concentrations are significantly less than the standards set, but it was found that in the Port Talbot area this level was exceeded on 46 separate days last year. It was thought the problem emanated from activities in the blast furnace area. However, when new fume extraction equipment was commissioned in 2002, it made no difference to reported levels for particulate material in Port Talbot, although it did improve the results significantly at local site level. Unfortunately, it is a fact that the close proximity of the motorway and other roadways, and the increasing number of vehicles on our roads, may all be contributing to the problem. Now, however, Corus is looking more broadly at the fundamental causes of dust. This includes not only altering existing processes wherever we can, but also looking at efficient ways of damping down dusty areas, either with recovered rainwater or more viscous liquids.

Energy Control Centre.

M4 Motorway and works from Pen-Y-Cae.

Corus SA13 News for the community

ENVIRONMENT

Just deserts
Local air quality can be influenced by alien encounters! Corus employees were as shocked as everyone else when they saw what appeared to be a fine coating of dust on cars, buildings and windowsills one morning in January.
The company received complaints from local people who understandably assumed that the dust originated from the steelworks. Among them were a local family who had hired several white limousines for a family wedding. Requests for an explanation drew an innocent nod of the head from all relevant departments until the BBC News website ran a story which revealed all. The dust had come from the Sahara and had been blown to high altitude by a storm there on 20 January. According to AEA Technology, which monitors air quality for the Welsh Assembly Government, the dust had been carried from North Africa, out over the Atlantic Ocean and then blown to the UK. The dust had been dropped over nearly all but the far North East of Wales, Cornwall and parts of the West of England. Saharan dust had also reached South Wales in March 2007.

More information
www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov www.environment-agency.gov.uk www.welshairquality.co.uk

Dust storm heading for the UK.


(Courtesy of Earth Observatory NASA)

Working in your interest - Corus Joint Consultative Group


If you think that Corus and the local Council ignore your concerns as a resident, youre wrong. Complaints, concerns and other local environmental issues do get back to us through councillors, PACT meetings, and the Environment Agency directly, or via formal meetings of the Joint Consultative Group.

I wandered lonely as a cloud


They look like clouds you can just picture it, the beginning of William Wordsworths famous poem, I wandered lonely as a cloud, but the massive white plumes seen on Margams coastal horizon are actually the result of red hot coke being drenched with water to cool it very quickly.
Every 10 minutes or so, 24 hours a day, red hot coke produced in the Morfa Coke Ovens is doused with thousands of gallons of water. It is this quenching process that creates the clouds it is in fact just water vapour. Coke is one of the most important of all the raw materials fed into a blast furnace because it provides the maximum porosity for the free flowing of gases and molten iron within the process. Making coke involves the carbonization of coal at temperatures of up to 1,100C in an oxygen-deficient chamber to concentrate the carbon. During this process, coke oven gas and other by-products are drawn off, refined and re-used within the works, or sold onto other industrial processes.

Members of the Corus Joint Consultative Group.


The Joint Consultative Group meets every four months specifically to discuss local environmental issues and complaints, air quality, dust, transportation, noise, residents concerns, etc. Led by the Council, the committee is made up of representatives from Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, councillors, the Environment Agency, and Corus management. It is the Groups genuine intention to find long-term sustainable solutions for the benefit of both the local community and the business. And remember: you can always phone us direct if you want to talk about any issues that are worrying you (see page opposite for details).

Quench Tower, Morfa Coke Ovens.

Corus SA13 News for the community

ENVIRONMENT

Seeing red about green?


Every year, Corus Energy Control Centre receives many calls from local residents, usually with questions or complaints about our environmental emissions.
The Energy Control Centre is the nerve centre of the works. It is here that our engineers closely monitor all aspects of our plant operations, including gas usage, water flows and electricity consumption. The phone line is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with the team ready to respond to concerned residents calls on the double. Closed circuit television cameras are located throughout the works to help our engineers see exactly what callers may be complaining about, so no time is wasted. Details of every call are given to the relevant work areas, and the Environment Department gets a copy, too. The relevant section then investigates the complaint and, helped by the Environmental Department, determines the cause. As you can imagine, on such a big site, it can sometimes take time to find out exactly what is happening, but we always get back to every caller with an update. A member of the Energy Control Centre, says, We monitor our manufacturing processes every hour of every day, recording and storing the information for analysis.

Do you have a complaint about noise or air quality? Call us on 01639 871111

with your calls as quickly as al de ll wi we t tha tee an ar gu We environment is important the ing ov pr im e us ca be e, ibl ss po for all of us.

Any change in this data provides the plant operators with information that helps them plan the maintenance programme and ensure that the site continues to meet and improve its environmental performance. Some residents believe that when managers are not in the works at the weekend, all monitoring stops and emissions are uncontrolled. This is simply not true. Health and safety is at the top of our agenda for workers on site and residents alike.

Even landfill goes green


Its not quite a meadow (yet) but the regeneration of the former Margam Coke Ovens site is getting greener by the day. So far 60,000 cubic metres of subsoil have been moved 12 miles from the Swansea Marina development to Port Talbot Works as part of a reclamation project saving thousands of pounds being paid in landfill fees.
The former coke ovens site was cleared of scrap metals and other debris and levelled in preparation for the subsoil, having first been tested and certified by the Environment Agency and granted an exemption certificate from the Council as being fit for purpose as basic ground cover for grassing and future tree planting. Transferring the subsoil to Port Talbot was a cheaper and more environmentally friendly option than incurring landfill charges. The 30-acre reclamation the size of three football pitches has now been landscaped and grassed, and is awaiting the soil condition to be suitable for the next phase involving tree planting.

Corus SA13 News for the community

CAREERS

Corus offers careers for all


The general impression of Corus is that it employs a lot of men as steelworkers - and thats true, of course. What many people wont know, though, is that it also offers exciting careers in a range of different positions for both men and women.
Along with posts you would normally associate with heavy industry, such as in mechanical engineering, fabricating/welding and bricklaying, the company has comprehensive training schemes for young people working in fields including data management, finance, human resources and civil engineering. Corus has the scope and size to provide individually tailored careers that are interesting, challenging and dynamic, says Susan Mills, Human Resources.

Katies story
Local girl Katie Davies chose a Corus career path over university and has never looked back.

An accountant in the Hot Rolled Products division at Port Talbot, Katie has spent almost three years working towards professional qualifications, while earning money and learning the ropes hands-on. A resident of Baglan Moors, she went to Sandfields Comprehensive School and Neath Port Talbot College to study A Levels in accounting, economics and law. I applied for university and was accepted. However, when I heard about the functional traineeships in Corus, I was interested, she said. The decision was ultimately easy university equalled spare time, along with the worries of a high level of debt and no guaranteed job at the end, while Corus equalled full-time permanent employment in my chosen career while studying to professional level.

rking life so Im thoroughly enjoying my wo so much. far, I feel Ive already achieved
Mark Callingham, third year electrical apprentice, Hot Mill.
We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for progression, generous holiday entitlement, first class training and experience; in addition to local benefits such as free parking, subsidised meals, social activities and friends for life! Corus actively seeks to recruit apprentices and functional trainees for engineering, manufacturing, technical and business functions. It offers Government-approved Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (AMAs), while training and development by functional area allows new recruits to be part of an apprenticeship where they can learn and study towards NVQ qualifications while gaining invaluable experience. Were a company that places real commitment on work life balance and is truly dedicated to ongoing training and development, scope for career progression, opportunity and advancement within chosen career paths, says Susan.In order to maintain and continue to achieve outstanding results, we look for people who have certain qualities to fit our culture. These include: drive, enthusiasm, ideas, commitment, flexibility, imagination, team player abilities and communication skills. Apprentice and functional trainee students who succeed in Corus are those who benchmark their own achievements against those of their peers, respect the community around them and simply work hard. We need passionate people, determined to make Corus a success. Katies main duties include working on weekly financial and statistical reports alongside the Hot Rolled Products management team, area engineers and team leaders to achieve cost reductions and budgetary control. Currently studying with the Association of Accounting Technicians and due to sit her final three exams this summer, from September shell be studying with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Im thoroughly enjoying my working life so far, said Katie. I feel Ive already achieved so much. I was successful in applying for a permanent position as the accountant for Hot Rolled Products after 18 months and have so far been successful in every one of the accountancy exams Ive sat. In five years time, I see myself still working within finance and possibly the Management Accounting department at Port Talbot. Through building on my knowledge and experience to date, I hope to be working at the level above which I am currently, as a management accountant. If youre interested in taking up a Corus apprenticeship, please visit www.corusgroup.com/en/careers/recruitment/ apprenticeships/south_wales or more information and to submit an online application. For information on becoming a functional trainee, visit www.corusgroupcareers.com

Corus SA13 News for the community

COMMUNITY

Corus in the community


No one would deny that Corus has a considerable impact on the local communities in and around Port Talbot. After all, there has been intensive industrial activity here for hundreds of years. Indeed, Port Talbot celebrated 100 years of iron and steelmaking in 2003 on this very site. It is a proud tradition and one not to be taken lightly.
As neighbours, it is our duty to become active members within the community and assist and support local charities and voluntary groups whenever we can. We also endeavour to work with local organisations to promote community initiatives directly with local residents and schools. Here is a summary of the community activities, support for charities and good causes we have undertaken in Neath Port Talbot and surrounding areas during the last 12 months. Community Relations Manager, Keith Farron, says, Unfortunately we cannot please everyones request that comes in. We are subject to a strict monthly financial limit and consider only those applications that fall within a five-mile radius of Port Talbot Works. We cannot approve applications which imply salary funding, and local charities and good causes will be considered in preference to national charities and projects. Depending on the number of requests received, a committee consisting of employees and Union representatives will try to sit once a month to consider applications received. Each application is discussed at length to consider the benefits an award may make to that particular community. Then, provided a request meets with current business guidelines on charitable funding, the committee decides on the appropriate value of award. Those applications that do not meet with the guidelines are rejected. Occasionally, an application may be deferred, pending further information or investigation. However, each individual application will be considered on its own merit. Applications must be received in writing, preferably on letterheaded paper and sent to the following address: Community Relations Manager, Corus Strip Products UK, Business Headquarters, PO Box 42, Port Talbot, SA13 2NG.

Community Award successes


Afan Lido Mini FC, Afon Nedd Arts Society, Ann Davies Cancer Appeal, BLISS, Breast Cancer Care, Cancer Challenge Singers, Cancer Research Wales, Children in Need, Christian Lewis Trust, Cor Meibion Aberafan, CISS, Cwmavon RFC Mini Section, Corus Sailing Club, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Friends of Aberavon & New Sandfields Group, Friends of Tonna Hospital, Hospital Radio Phoenix, Get Kids Going, GLAZE, Goytre United AFC (Junior Section), LATCH, Lymphoma Cancer Unit Singleton Hospital, Missing Wales, Neath Athletic RFC Mini Section, Neath & District Sea Cadets, Neath Pastorate Romania Project, Neath Round Table, NPTCBC Pass, PDSA, Porthcawl RFC Juniors, Port Talbot Amateur Operatic Society, Port Talbot Cymric Male Choir, Port Talbot Lifeboat Association, Rest Bay Lifeguard Club, RNLI, Shelter Cymru, SNAC, South Wales Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, South Wales Police Authority, St John Ambulance Service, Swan Rescue South Wales, Upper Afan Forum, The Mayors Charity Appeal, Welsh Dragons Burns Club, Y Bwthyn Newydd, Ynysdawley Playing Fields Association.

Community Assist

projects approved or completed involving the supply of materials and services for a bench for the Friends of Tonna Hospitals Sensory Garden, a series of metal frames for use in the Survival Zone Margam Park Education & Sustainability Centre, and a replacement six-metre wooden cross for St Davids Church, Margam.

Education and Learning events


All-Wales Inter-Schools Crime Prevention Quiz, Anti-Bullying Awareness Week in conjunction with Swansea Sound & The Wave, Learning Zone National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, Peer Education Initiative, Neath Port Talbot Secondary Schools Primestart Neath, The Gnoll Wildlife Trust Wales, 2007 Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative.

Event sponsorships
39th Round the Pier Swim, Aberavon Beach, Aberavon & New Sandfields Carnival, BUPA Great Wales Run, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff UK X Challenge Cross Country Event, Blackweir Park Cardiff, Christmas Lights & Santa Parades (Port Talbot, Neath and Pontadawe), CISS Walkathon, Briton Ferry to Brecon, Corus Aquathlon, Aberavon Beach, Corus Family Cycle Day, Margam Park, Corus Richard Burton 10km & 5km Road Race, CwmafanCrucial Crew G Division Port Talbot Police Primary School 7-aside Rugby Tournament, Neath Round Table Festival Weekend, Neath Port Talbot 2007 Sporting Awards, Surf Life Saving Championships, Aberavon Beach, Try-A-Triathlon 8 to 80 Event, Aberavon Promenade Upper Afan River Family Day, Glyncorrwg Welsh Castles Run Relay, Caernarvon Castle to Cardiff Castle.

Corus SA13 News for the community

COMMUNITY

Walk your way to health


With the days getting longer and warmer, now is a good time to think about getting back into shape. But for many of us, the thought of running, cycling or going to gym seems a bit too much like hard work you dont want to overdo it and sprain something!
Dont panic one of the most effective and safest forms of exercise is plain old walking! Regular walking can halve the risk of heart disease helping you live a longer, healthier life. Strong scientific evidence now supports the following benefits of regular walking: Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, colon cancer and type 2 diabetes Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol Reduces body fat and weight Enhances mental wellbeing and self-esteem, and relieves depression and anxiety Increases bone density, helping prevent osteoporosis Helps flexibility and co-ordination, reducing the risk of falls

Walking tips
Even walking at a moderate pace of three miles per hour is sufficient aim to walk fast without over-exertion (you should just about be able to hold a conversation) Experts recommend accumulating a total of 30 minutes of brisk walking on most, preferably all days of the week But even 10-minute walks can increase fitness, provided they are brisk

Walking and lifestyle


Walking can be enjoyed as a solitary, meditative activity, or it can provide a way of catching up with people. Ask your family and friends to go for a walk, or join a local walking club a great way to meet new people. It can fit in with any lifestyle or domestic circumstance walking with a baby carrier is a great way to get back into shape after pregnancy. You can find this page again on our new community website: www.corussouthwales.co.uk/community/SA13

And the beauty of taking up walking in Port Talbot is the beauty of Port Talbot! The area is prime walking territory, offering a choice of coastal, hill or valley routes all within a very short distance of the town centre.

Corus backs campaign to help pupils become safer


Young people in Neath Port Talbot are learning how to be socially responsible and guard against crime with help from Corus and the Safer Neath Port Talbot Community Safety Partnership.
Three campaigns in the past two years have seen pupils from all 11 secondary schools across the county being shown how to take a stand against bullying and theft and become more aware of personal safety. Corus has sponsored the Safer Partnership and Neath Port Talbot County Councils schools poster campaigns Cud UB Nxt!, promoting prevention of mobile phone and iPod theft, and Avoid close encounters (road safety), along with Anti-Bullying Awareness Week. Recently, more than 100 pupils aged 14 and 15 took part in a peer education training day involving the police, drugs misuse counsellors and other agencies. The aim of the initiative was to train the youngsters in a range of crime prevention topics so that they could later deliver their own lessons. And the next Corus schools event is likely to target drug and alcohol awareness in support of local LEA initiatives. Corus is trying to help and persuade young people to be more responsible for their own actions and be more considerate towards fellow pupils and members of the public, said Corus community spokesman Keith Farron. To that end, were keen to support local initiatives that help to reduce crime or anti-social behaviour. And if young people feel more secure and happy in their everyday lives, this may develop into positive attitudes and more neighbourly communities. The initiatives have seen 12,500 children given safety packs including holographic identity stickers and UV marker pens in a bid to cut the number of mobile phone and iPod muggings in the area. More than 22,000 junior and secondary school pupils were also given reflective safety wristbands to allow drivers a better chance of seeing them on the roads during dark mornings and evenings. And in the latest initiative, mobile phone-shaped keyfobs with helpline telephone numbers were given out to pupils at Sandfields Comprehensive Schools to raise the profile in a bid to prevent bullying.

10

Corus SA13 News for the community

COMMUNITY

Richard Burtons memory lives on


It began 27 years ago and is now one of the UKs most prestigious and famous local road races. Held in memory of arguably one of Waless greatest ever actors, the Richard Burton 10km Run in Cwmafan took place on 6 January, and attracted a record entry of more than 500 athletes.
The race was originally intended to raise funds for a family who had lost loved ones in a car crash. Two years later, local hero Richard Burton gave permission to use his name. Sadly, he died six months later, said race organiser John Williams. But his widow Sally contacted us to say that she would be pleased if we kept Richards name in our race title. With the backing of Sally and Graham Jenkins, Richards brother, the event reached its 25th anniversary. And now, thanks to our main sponsor Corus, the future is secure for another three years. Due to icy conditions overnight, the start had to be delayed one hour while the Council took the precautions of gritting the undulating course for the safety of the runners. The event included a 5km fun run, and all proceeds went to Macmillan Cancer Care and local charities Red Cross, Cwmafan OAPs and the Burns Unit at Morriston Hospital. The 10km race was won by Simon Jones, Belgrave Harriers, in a time of 30:42 (30 minutes 42 seconds). First senior runner was Martin Rees, Veterans over 50s (33:14), and the first woman athlete over the line was Andrea Whitcombe, Swansea Harriers in the Veterans over 35s category in a time of 35:11. For full details of the athletes times and information on the race, visit www.richardburtonroadrace.com

Wet walk for a good cause


Around 40 steelworkers, police drivers, their families and friends braved driving rain and wind to complete a 52-mile sponsored walk from Briton Ferry to Brecon in September last year.
The walkathon aimed to raise money for CISS (Cancer Information and Support Services), a charity set up in 1993 to help cancer sufferers, their carers and families. The service has provided support to thousands of families in the Neath and Port Talbot areas. The idea was dreamt up by Corus Steel & Slab employees, who were later joined by the polices Bridgend-based Driving School which, as well as supplying walkers, also supplied two backup minibuses and two outriders. Corus funded the logistics and provided sponsorship to the tune of 5,000 as well as making a community award of 2,000 towards CISSs literature costs.

Win a Corus goody bag

Childrens Competition
Spot the hazards
Win this Corus goody bag comprising a teeshirt, sports cap, drinking bottle, electronic suduko game, SIM card memory reader, mousemat, tin of colouring pencils, notepad wallet, and a frisbee. We have five goody bags to give away. All you have to do is circle as many safety hazards and unsafe situations in the picture as you can. (Heres a clue: there are more than 10.)
Illustration courtesy of ROSPA.

Name Address Age Phone number

The closing date for entries is Friday 30 May 2008. The judges decision is final. Winners will be notified within five working days of the draw and listed in the next edition of SA13. Cut out and send your entry to: The Editor, Corus Strip Products UK, Business Headquarters, PO Box 42, Port Talbot, SA13 2NG.

Corus SA13 News for the community

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Whats On with Corus


For more information on forthcoming Corus sponsored events in South Wales, visit www.corussouthwales.co.uk to view Whats On in your area.
All year round. National Waterfront Museum Swansea, Swansea Marina Various events throughout the year for children and families in the Corus and Community sponsored Learning Zone. Check out the website for details of all forward event activities. Visit www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/swansea Sunday 5th July. Corus Try-A-Triathlon, Afan Lido and Aberavon Beachfront Free entry. So why not join us and try any, or all three disciplines (swimming, cycling and running) in your own time. The first 200 children to register receive a Corus goody bag and certificate of achievement. Please bring your own bike. For more details visit Whats On in the community news section of www.corussouthwales.co.uk Weekend 11th & 12th July. Neath Round Table Carnival, Cwrt Herbert Playing Fields, Neath Starting with Friday Live, music at 6.30pm. Live entertainment continues on Saturday. Fun for all the family with lots to see and do. Sponsors of the Corus Pavilion. Sunday 13th July. 40th Round the Pier Swim, Aberavon Beachfront Free viewing. Starting at 4.00pm, the combined swim and run begins and finishes at Aberavon Green Stars RFC Clubhouse. Join the crowds to watch the dozens of hardy competitors braving the waves in this spectacular local event. Saturday 12th July. New Sandfields & Aberavon Beach Festival, Aberavon Promenade Free entry. Join in the fun and thrill of the rides. Listen to the band, live acts and local radio coverage. Lots to see, do and participate in, with many stalls and exhibition events taking place. Sponsors of the Corus Pavilion. Visit www.nsasave.co.uk for further details.

dot com... for dot community


You can now view community activities on our updated website each week, including Whats On @ Corus events and sponsorships, and other topical stories of interest. You can even browse SA13 on the site. Visit www.corussouthwales.co.uk, and it will take you directly to the community page of the Corus website.

How to contact us
Correspondence to the Editor
The Editor will be pleased to receive your thoughts and opinions on any article you have read in this issue of SA13 Corus community newspaper. We would like to hear your views and opinions, whether on environmental issues, community activities, etc. Address: The Editor, Corus Strip Products UK, Business Headquarters, PO Box 42, Port Talbot, SA13 2NG. Fax: 01639 603 179 Email: cspuk.community@corusgroup.com

Community Award applications (for Neath Port Talbot and Pontardulais areas)
Applications for community awards, community sponsorships/partnerships and community assist projects for consideration must be submitted in writing to the following address: Community Liaison Manager, Corus Strip Products UK, Business Headquarters, PO Box 42, Port Talbot, SA13 2NG. Email: cspuk.community@corusgroup.com

Environmental complaints
01639 871111 (24 hours) For calls concerning environmental issues such as noise and air quality (during normal office hours the telephone exchange will re-direct your call. Calls received out of office hours will be directed by the Security Department). For written enquiries please address to: Manager Environment, Corus Strip Products UK, Business Headquarters, PO Box 42, Port Talbot, SA13 2NG or fax: 01639 872 159.

Your community newspaper SA13


SA13 is written and produced by Communications, Corus Strip Products UK for the residents in Port Talbot and surrounding area.

FSC labelled products are made with consideration for people, wildlife and the environment. The FSC label guarantees that the trees that are harvested are replaced or allowed to regenerate naturally.

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Corus SA13 News for the community

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