The Blaenau Project

THE AREA COVERED

The Project will encompass an area stretching from the site of the Crimea public house in the north to a southern limit at Gelli-wiog and Llan Ffestiniog. The western limit is the barracks at Rhosydd whilst in the east the border is formed by Cwm Cynfal.

WHAT THE PROJECT INVOLVES

Special areas of research include:

• The industrial heritage of the slate quarrying industry
• The history of local religious buildings — chapels, churches and meeting houses
• Schools, education and community organisations from the nineteenth century onwards
• The development of housing and civic infrastructure
• Notable people from Blaenau Ffestiniog and their contributions to Welsh and wider culture
• The impact of the two World Wars on the local community
• Local sporting history — particularly rugby and football
• Oral history and personal recollections

BACKGROUND

Much has been written and recorded of the slate mining industry in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Books produced by both the town's famous tourist centres — the Llechwedd Slate Caverns and the Ffestiniog Railway — provide an insight into the industry, but say little about the history of the town itself.

The Project aims to fill this gap. Working with the community, local archives and the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, the aim is to produce a comprehensive record of the town's development and the lives of its people.

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

If you have photographs, documents, diaries or personal memories relating to Blaenau Ffestiniog, we would very much like to hear from you. Please contact us.

Further details of the project can be found in Project Notes (2), Project Notes (3), Project Notes (4) and Project Notes (5).