Local community
Many of our larger sites operate liaison committees attended by councillors, council officers and residents’ representatives. We promote visits to our sites, particularly from universities, schools and community organisations. In addition, our three cement plants all produce community newsletters to keep residents and businesses informed about their activities and provide a conduit for further information.
Over 4,000 people flocked to an open day at Ketton cement works to celebrate 90 years of production at the Rutland plant – more than double the number expected. The last open day in 2015 attracted around 2,000 people, but a combination of glorious weather and the 90th birthday celebration made a big difference.
The stream of visitors, transported in a fleet of 12 buses, enjoyed tours of the works, a spectacular display of earth moving equipment at Grange Top quarry and train rides on the works branch line. An estimated £16,000 was raised for four local charities
More than 1,200 people attended an open day at the Ribblesdale cement plant in Lancashire and enjoyed a site tour, stands and attractions. Along with train rides, there were giant fun inflatables, face painting and stands including the site’s apprentices, Lancashire Fire and Rescue with their dog search team, the Ribble Rivers Trust, The Beekeeping Society and geology group GeoLancashire. Over £4,000 was raised for five local charities nominated by employees.
Over 400 people attended an open day at Chipping Sodbury quarry organised as part of the South Gloucestershire town’s 2018 festival. Visitors were taken deep into the quarry aboard two 50-seater coaches to watch a loading shovel, dumper trucks and a mobile crusher at work. They were also shown the stone crushing and screening equipment. A marquee in the quarry yard featured a series of displays from surveying equipment to fossils, along with details of how the quarry will be restored and the work being done to increase biodiversity.
Our Somerset limestone quarries at Batts Combe, Cheddar, and Whatley near Frome hosted tours as part of Mendip Rocks, a summer season of events held to celebrate the 450 million year geological history of the Mendip Hills.
The percentage of our sites with liaison activities was unchanged on the prior year, but visitor numbers rose by 15 per cent thanks mainly to the three successful open days.
We help charities and voluntary groups in communities close to our sites and offices through the Hanson in the Community scheme. In 2018 we provided cash or materials to support over 100 organisations to the value of more than £93,000.
Our employee charity matching scheme contributed over £22,000 to more than 40 charities during 2018. The scheme encourages employees to raise money for charity by matching their fund-raising up to £500 and has helped raise more than £1.25 million since its introduction in 1994.
We are corporate patrons of CRASH, the construction industry charity which assists homelessness and hospice charities with construction-related projects, creating places that care for people. We support a number of other smaller environmental and community-based organisations and charities including the Freshwater Habitats Trust and Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
Public engagement
We held a number of local public consultations during 2018 to present proposals for developing our sites. These events provide an opportunity for local residents to view and comment on the proposals prior to planning applications being submitted.
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Community relations
2010 (baseline)
2016
2017
2018 Relevant sites
69
49
51
46 Sites holding four liaison events
46 (67%)*
35 (71%)**
33 (65%)
30 (65%) Visitor numbers
8,843
20,906
23,913
27,947 * One event in 2010, ** 3 events in 2016