A RECENT conference held at the Castle Cement offices at Ribblesdale brought together environmentalists from around the world to discuss how industry and wildlife can be brought together for the mutual benefit of both.

Some delegates were prevented from attending because of recent events in the Middle East and the sars virus.

What did come across was that the most important raw material in the world is a supply of fresh water.

It was pointed out that whilst industry provides vital raw materials and employment this can be done whilst still paying attention to the environment.

Presentations on this subject were given by Ian Brown of Graham and Brown, whose manufacturing base is on the banks of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Blackburn. The company have a storage facility on the banks of the River Calder at Shuttleworth Mead and they have devised a revolutionary method of controlling drainage.

Paul Bradley, a conservant ecologist for Castle Cement, showed how carefully-managed quarries can benefit wildlife by creating new habitats which will survive long after the essential stone has been extracted.

This conference showed clearly how East Lancashire is at the forefront in reducing the impact of industry on the environment.