As part of the European Minerals Week, our North Down Quarry Depot hosted an open day on Saturday 9th May. The open day was advertised in the local press. Despite rain on the day, ninety-four out of ninety-six pre-booked visitors came.
Six additional non-booked visitors also turned up, making one hundred altogether. Visitors were able to enjoy light refreshments and exhibits in a large marquee. Laverne Bell manned an exhibit for QPANI, and Mark Ruddock, from the NI Raptor Group, had a captive-bred Peregrine Falcon on display. Altogether, the event was appreciated by all the visitors, many of whom had small children. The children were allowed to climb into the cabs of a dumper, shovel loader and tipper lorry which were also on display. Two minibuses were used to take the visitors on a guided tour round the quarry. They were able to see the face excavator, a dumper and the primary crusher in action. Production Director Sam Deane and Quarry Manager Declan Close were the 'tour guides' on the day. Jim Shannon, MLA for the Ards Peninsula also called in.
