Dinorwig slate quarry, now loved by rock climbers, was once the second largest slate quarry in Wales.
It was officially closed in 1969 and the quarry workshops have been preserved to become the National Slate Museum.
Working at Dinorwig quarry prior to 1969 was not ideal. The facilities at the quarry were minimal, as were the quarrymen’s wages. Dinorwig quarry workers had to take five-year apprenticeship's to become fully-fledged quarrymen. It was skilled work, but it was dangerous, dirty, and unhealthy. Accidents were usually caused by rock fall or fragile ropes breaking. The Quarrymen were responsible for all their own ropes, hammers and chisels, which they had to pay to be sharpened out of their own wages. Industrial diseases (e.g., silicosis) at the quarry were common.
Retrospectively, Dinorwig slate quarry had economic importance, being an example of how the mountains could be engineered to provide employment (see also, specifically, Dinorwig hydro electric power station).
On a lighter note, Dinorwig quarry has been utilized to shoot the film 'Clash of the Titans'.
Working at Dinorwig quarry prior to 1969 was not ideal. The facilities at the quarry were minimal, as were the quarrymen’s wages. Dinorwig quarry workers had to take five-year apprenticeship's to become fully-fledged quarrymen. It was skilled work, but it was dangerous, dirty, and unhealthy. Accidents were usually caused by rock fall or fragile ropes breaking. The Quarrymen were responsible for all their own ropes, hammers and chisels, which they had to pay to be sharpened out of their own wages. Industrial diseases (e.g., silicosis) at the quarry were common.
Retrospectively, Dinorwig slate quarry had economic importance, being an example of how the mountains could be engineered to provide employment (see also, specifically, Dinorwig hydro electric power station).
On a lighter note, Dinorwig quarry has been utilized to shoot the film 'Clash of the Titans'.