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Home2026
18 March 2026
Journal

WHAT THE ARCHIVE HOLDS

The first step for any research project always begins in the archive. For The Last Foundations, that step feels especially vital. The Ravenscraig site—once one of Europe’s larg

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5 March 2026
Journal

THE LAST FOUNDATIONS – HOW IT BEGAN

This was my first time at the former Ravenscraig site. I had only a vague idea of where it was, what had stood there before, and when it had closed. In truth, it felt like an entir

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5 March 2026
Journal

MOTHERWELL’S CHANGING SKYLINE

Just before noon on Sunday, 7 December 2025, a familiar part of Motherwell’s skyline disappeared as three of the town’s most recognisable high-rise blocks – Allan, Coursingto

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28 February 2026
Journal

STANDING TALL IN CRAIGNEUK

On 28th February 2026, the unveiling of the Tommy Gemmell Statue brought the people of Craigneuk together in a strong show of local pride. Celtic and Scotland legend Tommy Gemmell

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the_lastfoundations

AFTER THE RED DUST The air itself was different t AFTER THE RED DUST

The air itself was different then—thick, metallic, and heavy with the red dust that settled over everything. “It was everywhere…” Now, the view stretches for miles in silence...

Ann Nimmo who worked as a nurse in the ambulance centre at Ravenscraig

https://www.thelastfoundations.com/portfolio-item/after-red-dust/

The Last Foundations - Ravenscraig 30 Years After Demolition. A visual arts project and exhibition by Chris Leslie 

Funded by the William Grant Foundation, @creativescots , and NLC Museums

Archive photo - courtesy of North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre

#ravenscraig
ROM STEELWORKER TO CAREWORKER “I remember going h ROM STEELWORKER TO CAREWORKER

“I remember going home and saying to my wife, ‘That’s it, it’s gone. What are we going to do?’” he recalls. With a family to support, the uncertainty was frightening....

https://www.thelastfoundations.com/portfolio-item/steelworker-careworker/

The Last Foundations - Ravenscraig 30 Years After Demolition. A visual arts project and exhibition by Chris Leslie 
@the_lastfoundations 

Funded by the The William Grant Foundation and @creativescots , and North Lanarkshire Council Arts

Archive photo by John McKillop - courtesy of @nlheritagecentre 

#ravenscraig
THE LAST SHIFT On the final day at Ravenscraig in THE LAST SHIFT

On the final day at Ravenscraig in June 1992, Stevie Jeffrey remembers a feeling of disbelief and emotion hanging over the entire site. 

The closure had been anticipated for a long time, but nothing prepared the workforce for the emotion and finality of walking out of Ravenscraig for the last time...

https://www.thelastfoundations.com/portfolio-item/ilast-shift/

@the_lastfoundations - Ravenscraig 30 Years After Demolition

A visual arts project and exhibition by Chris Leslie 

#ravenscraig
Filming this morning on location for my new short Filming this morning on location for my new short film ‘Scars’ with former Ravenscraig worker, poet and writer Martin Brown.
 
The film will be premiered at @the_lastfoundations exhibition in September via @northlanarkshire arts

Project supported by @creativescots, NLArts , @wilfiamgrantfoundation

#ravenscraig
“This natural regeneration—slow, unplanned, and re “This natural regeneration—slow, unplanned, and resilient—embodies a cycle of destruction and renewal. It is both powerful and necessary.”

BETWEEN RECLAIMING AND RENEWAL 

The Last Foundations - Ravenscraig 30 Years After Demolition

A visual arts project by Chris Leslie

https://www.thelastfoundations.com/portfolio-item/between-reclaiming-and-renewal/
Seasons change... #ravenscraig Seasons change...

#ravenscraig
The Last Foundations - Today’s Birds Eye view… # The Last Foundations - Today’s  Birds Eye view…

#ravenscraig
THE LAST PUB STANDING.... Peter Reilly, landlord THE LAST PUB STANDING....

Peter Reilly, landlord of the King Lud pub in Craigneuk, has spent much of his life in the pub trade. Over the years, he has watched the community change dramatically since the closure of the Ravenscraig steelworks....

https://lnkd.in/e4Pwma4k
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©2026 The Last Foundations / Chris Leslie

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CHRIS LESLIE

07737 370481

chris@chrisleslie.co.uk

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