The Slate Industry

Mar 19, 2007 08:03:22

In many ways the Slate industry in North Wales was as important to the local economy, culture and history of the area as was the Coal industry of South Wales. Both industries arose out of nothing, became giants on the world stage and then suffered catastrophic decline and almost total extinction. But whereas in South Wales it is sometimes difficult to trace where collieries once existed, due mainly to reclamation, in North Wales there are still many visible examples of the slate industry. Often a little exploration will reward the interested party with a gem of industrial archaeology or an insight into a way of life which nowadays seems harsh and bleak. The main production areas were around Blaenau Ffestiniog, Bethesda, Llanberis, Nantlle, Corris and Llangollen/Glyn Ceiriog. But, in the boom years, wherever there looked like being a remote chance of finding slate - even if miles from anywhere, then the prospectors would be out scratching at the barren hillsides. Many of these speculative sites never got beyond tiny workings whereas the giants of the industry employed over 3000 men in huge quarries. In between were scores of medium sized workings often with impressive buildings, inclines, machinery and production methods.