Splitting Slate on the Ffestiniog Railway

Over the Easter weekend, there were Llechwedd representatives present on Blaenau Ffestiniog station showing off  their skill at the traditional art of slate splitting.

Next time you look up at your Llechwedd made slate roof (if you're lucky enough to have one) remember that every individual slate, has been born from just chisel and hammer. I'm sure after watching the following video you will appreciate each roofing slate as more than just a rock but as a piece of art. Despite the difficulty of the process in 1862 the founder of Llechwedd John Greaves won a medal for a slate 10ft long 1ft wide and a minuscule 1/16 of an inch thick!

Take a look at the video below!