In the BBC programme, broadcast on Wednesday 15 November, Derek Brockway was joined by Pudsey Bear on the latest leg of his journey around Wales, walking from Margam to Porth Cawl. 

With the coastal path bordering the giant steelworks, a visit was an opportunity too good to miss for Derek. But it wasn’t the steel he came to see; it was the rare nature to co-exists with industry that took his interest.

Having stopped off at Tata Steel’s Sailing Club at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, Derek walked to the Kenfig end of the steelworks, where old industrial ground has been remediated into sand dunes, providing a unique natural habitat. 

Derek was joined by Barry Stewart an ecologist from Celtic Wildflowers who works alongside Tata Steel to help develop the natural diversity on the site.

Barry said: “You’ve timed it perfectly; this is one of the Welsh Government’s priority conservation species called the Brown Banded Carder Bee. This species thrives on the South Wales sand dune systems and this site is perfect for it.

“There’s also one very special plant I’d like to show you – this is called Sea Stock. It’s a nationally rare species of plant which is pretty much restricted to Swansea Bay – it’s one of Britain’s rarest plants.”

Derek continued his journey saying: “Well I didn’t expect to see that! Rare bees and plants on the edge of a steelworks.”