05/06/2026
The restoration of Redcar’s iconic Turret was more than just another fabrication project for our team at Steel River Fabrications.
When the Turret arrived at our workshop, years of exposure to the North Sea weather had taken their toll. Through careful restoration, fabrication and finishing, we were proud to bring this much-loved seafront landmark back to life.
As part of the project, everything was designed and manufactured in-house by our team, including the seating, decorative features and a poem inspired by Redcar’s journey through the generations. The poem has been cut into the seating, with images incorporated into the seat dividers to represent each line and help tell Redcar’s story.
“From hills of iron, the steel river emerged” remembers the Cleveland ironstone that helped build an industry and shape communities across Teesside. The imagery represents the raw materials and hard work that laid the foundations for everything that followed.
“From furnace and flame Redcar was forged” reflects the iron and steel industries that defined Redcar’s identity and provided livelihoods for generations of local families. The imagery shows the iconic ladles used to carry molten iron, with Redcar’s name appearing to be poured from them, symbolising the industry that helped forge the town and its identity.
“The furnace fell quiet, the wind whispered new promise” acknowledges the end of an era and the challenges that followed, while recognising the resilience of the people and communities that have always adapted and moved forward.
“From steel to wind we look to a new horizon” looks towards the future, recognising the growth of renewable energy and the opportunities emerging along our coastline. The imagery represents optimism, innovation and the next chapter in Redcar’s story.
Together, the poem tells the story of a town built on industry, strengthened by resilience and looking confidently towards a new horizon.
The photos and videos show the Turret’s journey from its original condition, through restoration in our workshop, to the finished installation standing proudly once again on Redcar seafront.
This landmark has been part of Redcar’s story for generations.
If you have any old photographs of the Turret through the years, we’d love to see them. Whether they’re recent photos or memories from decades ago, please share them in the comments and help us build a collection of images celebrating this small but iconic piece of Redcar’s heritage.
