Inspiring the Next Generation Through Community Engagement

Tarmac seeks to be an integral part of local communities, playing an active role not only as a local employer but also as a contributor to the learning, wellbeing and opportunities available to those who live near our operations. This commitment was brought to life in 2025, through a series of engaging events designed to inspire the next generation, strengthen community relationships, and spark curiosity about the minerals industry and the natural world.

Bringing STEM to Life at the Big Bang Fair 2025

Teams from across Tarmac brought the wow factor to the Big Bang Fair 2025, the UK’s biggest national celebration of STEM for school pupils in Years 6 to 9. The event brought together state school students, teachers and industry leaders for live shows, high‑energy workshops and interactive activities.

Kirsty McKernan, Talent Advisor, added:

“The event was a truly collaborative effort… It’s been great to see how much our representatives enjoyed the experience and so many photos filled with smiling faces!”

The fair highlighted how STEM skills shape the world around us and helped young people see the industry as vital, exciting and full of opportunity.

Hands‑On Learning at the Suffolk Show

At the 2025 Suffolk Show, Tarmac connected with families through fun, safety‑focused activities that made learning engaging and accessible. Children and adults had the chance to sit inside a real Tarmac tipper truck, gaining a rare look at what it feels like to be behind the wheel of a large vehicle.
Interactive elements, such as the blind spot mat and kit show‑and‑tell, helped raise awareness about road safety, while face painting, a colouring competition and seed sticks encouraged creativity and sustainability‑themed learning.

Stephanie Buckland, Major Projects Manager – South East

These activities helped build trust, improve safety awareness and strengthen connections with local communities.

Celebrating Creativity at Mountsorrel’s Rock Stars Competition

Mountsorrel Quarry hosted its first ever Rock Stars competition, inviting primary school pupils across Mountsorrel, Quorn and surrounding villages to explore the area’s geological heritage through creative entries based on the quarry’s iconic pink granite.

The winning entry, an imaginative granite‑themed Pokémon card named Granirock, was created by eight‑year‑old Theo Broughton. Theo, alongside the runner‑up and their families, was welcomed to the quarry for a behind‑the‑scenes tour that brought geology to life, complete with views of the site’s 100‑tonne dump trucks.

Carl Ashurst, Operations Director at Mountsorrel Quarry, said:

“It was fantastic to welcome the winning families and see the excitement on the children’s faces as they explored the quarry. The competition was about sparking
creativity and pride in our local geology, and it’s brilliant to see how much fun they had.”

The competition combined creativity, local heritage and hands‑on learning, helping young people connect with both the landscape and the work that takes place at the quarry.

Looking Ahead

Through national STEM events, local shows and community‑led competitions, Tarmac is creating opportunities for young people to explore their interests, learn new skills and connect with the natural and built environment. These activities strengthen relationships with local communities, promote future careers in our industry, and support our commitment to engaging and inspiring the next generation of skilled employees. In 2025, this work was enhanced through Tarmac joining the STEM Ambassadors programme, helping reach young people directly through school and community‑based STEM activities