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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.
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