| News Articles |
19/01/2012Welsh slate plaque for brave American soldier Alun Howells whilst serving in the 1st Battalion,64th Armoured Regiment, was 20 years old when he was killed in Baghdad on the 13th of August 2007.He was leading a patrol through the streets of Baghdad when his vehicle was hit by an armour piercing grenade which killed him instantly. Alun had said that if he paid the ultimate sacrifice he wanted to be cremated and his ashes scattered near where I grew up "in a wild place above the sea".As the family was brought up in Porthmadog his ashes were spread on a headland at Borth y Gest. Alun was known as "The Welshman" amongst his army friends so Gwyn and Jaena his parents commissioned a Welsh slate plaque from Inigo Jones. The plaque was engraved with his name on, and a Welsh dragon and Gwyn and Jaena collected it when they were visiting the Porthmadog area in the spring of 2010. The plaque was taken to Georgia and placed under Alun's tree in March 2011. |
23/12/2011Nadolig Llawen a Bwyddyn Newydd Dda As this historic 150th year for Inigo Jones draws to an end we would like to wish all our customers and their families a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2012. OPENING HOURS BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR. We close at 5pm Christmas Eve 24/12/2011 and reopen as normal on Tuesday 27/12/2011 until 5pm on New Years Eve 31/12/2011. We reopen as normal on Monday 2/1/2012. |
12/12/2011Special 10% Discount Inigo Jones are offering a special 10% discount on all shop stock from now until Christmas Eve. The company has celebrated its 150th birthday this year and as this special year comes to an end it has decided to offer a 10% discount to all its customers. |
18/11/2011Christmas 2011 at Inigo Jones Inigo Jones are looking forward to another busy Christmas even in these difficult economic times. Products from Inigo Jones offer good value for good quality hand crafted products from 500 million year old Welsh slate. Best sellers this year are expected to be placemats,clocks,lazy susans and cheese boards. A new product launched prior to Christmas 2011 is a 3 Tier cake stand which is expected to prove very popular for all occasions. Web orders that require delivery before Christmas must be placed before December 12th. The shop is open daily including weekends from 9am until 5pm up to and including Christmas Eve. |
11/11/2011Donation to Air Ambulance Wales As part of our 150th birthday celebrations we agreed to sponsor two charities.We have already made a donation to Ty Gobaith earler in the year. We are today sending a donation of £100 to Air Ambulance Wales. |
11/11/2011Sponsored walk for Ty Gobaith Childrens Hospice A sponsored walk took place from Inigo Jones to Glynllfon on Saturday 16th April. Gwynedd Roberts gave a very interesting talk along the way about the historic gardens of Glynllifon. Over £300 was collected for Ty Gobaith Childrens Hospice |
30/09/2011FAST GROWTH 2011 AWARDS Inigo Jones prefabricated the slate trophies for the 2011 Fast Growth Awards. Professor Dylan Jones-Evans who is the creator of the Wales Fast Growth 50 project said this year "After 13 years, the Fast Growth 50 project remains the key barometer of entrepreneurship in Wales." Inigo Jones produced 14 slate trophies for different categories that were awarded on Friday 16th September at a Ceremony held at the Mercure Holland House hotel in Cardiff. The overall winner this year was Afonwen Laundry from North Wales and Inigo Jones are delighted to congratulate Mark Wolfenden and his team that has seen his company increase turnover by a fantastic 1991.1% between 2008 and 2010. The company now has four strategically located centres in Cardiff, Leeds, London and North Wales, and specialise in supplying hotels predominantly in the 4 star corporate hotel market as well as many of the nationwide Hotel groups in the rapidly growing budget hotel sector. |
26/08/2011Spnsored Walk Cancelled For reasons outside our control we have cancelled the sponsored walk to Glynllifon on Sunday September 4th, and instead we will make a donation to Air Ambulance Wales. |
28/07/2011THE 1st QUEEN'S DRAGOON GUARDS Inigo Jones & Co Ltd 500 MILLION YEAR OLD WELSH SLATE DEDICATED AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM FOR THE 1st THE QUEEN’S DRAGOON GUARDS. PRESS RELEASE. Inigo Jones & Co Ltd are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year and are delighted to have been involved in facilitating a large block of slate weighing over 2 tons from Blaenau Ffestiniog, which now proudly stands at the National Memorial Arboretum. The block of Welsh slate is to commemorate those that have lost their lives on active duty from the 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards. Slate was considered appropriate for this proud Welsh regiment and the block of slate is over 4 metres tall and weighs over 2 tons. The monument was dedicated at a ceremony on Sunday 24th of July at the National Memorial Arboretum and John Lloyd Managing Director of Inigo Jones & Co Ltd who attended the Dedication service said “ We are absolutely delighted to have helped to provide this Welsh slate monolith that is a fitting tribute to those brave soldiers from the 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards.” Picture attached The Regimental Chaplain, Padre A Bennett CF at the Dedication next to the slate. |
21/07/2011Dorothea Quarry & Aberllefenni Slate Quarry As part of Inigo Jones' 150th Celebrations two interesting talks by experts. DOROTHEA QUARRY Monday July 25th 7pm at Inigo Jones Talk by Dr Gwynfor Pierce Jones the local expert on slate quarrying in the Nantlle Valley Tickets £3.50 ABERLLEFENNI SLATE MINE Thursday July 28th 7pm at Inigo Jones Talk by Jon Knowles who has taken numerous excellent pictures of the slate mine at Aberllefenni and suroundings. Tickets £3.50 |
07/07/2011Welsh Slate Trophy for 2011Gwynedd Business Person of the Year Award Inigo Jones supplied the Welsh Slate tophy for the 2011 Gwynedd Business Person of the Year Award. The award was won by Richard Gloster Managing Director of Cadwaladers, and was presented at a Gala Dinner held at Y Galeri, Caernarfon. Numerous other Awards were presented during the evening to recognise succcesful businesses in Gwynedd. The Awards Ceremony is the highlight of the Gwynedd Business Week and its aim is to raise the profile and importance of the business sector to the Gwynedd economy. |
14/05/2011Ieuan Rees Calligraphy & Lettercutting Courses Ieuan Rees the well known Welsh callgrapher and lettercutter is running courses at Inigo Jones from 31/5 to 3/6/2011. Ieuan has appeared on many TV programmes, and his work has been reproduced in many books. He is regarded as one of Britain’s most versatile artist/craftsmen in the fields of lettering, letter carving, calligraphy, architectural lettering and graphic communication. He has lectured and held workshops all over Britain, the USA, and in Sydney, Australia. 31/5 9.30 - 4.30 Calligraphy Course £70.00 1/6 9.30 - 4.30 Lettercutting Course £70.00 2/6 9.30 - 4.30 Calligraphy Course £70.00 2/6 7pm Lecture by Ieuan Rees " Living with Letters" Tickets £3.50 3/6 9.30 - 4.30 Lettercutting Course £70.00 To book contact Inigo Jones direct |
20/03/2011Inigo Jones'150th Anniversary 1861 -2011 Inigo Jones Slate Works is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2011 (1861 – 2011) having worked continuously at the Tudor Slate Works at Groeslon site since it was set up in 1861 to produce school writing slates. Mr Alun Ffred Jones Minister for Culture and Heritage today March 4th 2011 unveiled an engraved Welsh slate plaque to commemorate the 150th anniversary. The Heritage Minister said “ I’d like to congratulate John Lloyd and his team on reaching this significant milestone.They’ve stayed faithful to the raw material of Welsh slate, the quality of which is second to none but have developed their products to keep up with the needs of the customer.The workshop is also a well known visitor attraction in the area giving an insight to working with slate” |
07/02/2011Slate present for Dr Refaat Inigo Jones provided a slate plaque that was presented to Dr Refaat by his fellow students on him passing his PhD at Bangor University. |
24/12/2010CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR May we take this opportunity to wish all our customers a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year in 2011. OPENING HOURS OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR. We are closing 5pm on Friday 24th of December and reopening on Wednesday 29th of December. We close at 5pm on Friday 31st December and reopen as normal on Sunday January 2nd of January 2011. |
08/11/2010500 million year old welsh slate gifts make ideal original Christmas presents, Original slate products make ideal Christmas presents Inigo Jones Slate Works is looking forward to another busy Christmas this year. Last years best sellers were slate coasters,lazy Susans, cheese boards and placemats and they are expected to be high on the list again this year. A new product this year is a slate picture frame that is proving very popular also. Engraved slate nameplates which are made to order are another popular item and make an original Christmas present. Orders that are for despatch must be ordered by 10/12/2010 to ensure delivery by Christmas. |
06/10/2010SLATE DONATED TO 1st THE QUEEN'S DRAGOON GUARDS 500 MILLION YEAR OLD WELSH SLATE MONOLITH STARTS ITS JOURNEY FROM BLAENAU FFESTINIOG TO THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM NEAR LICHFIELD. A Welsh slate monolith has been selected for a new memorial for 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (“The QDG’s”) soon to be erected at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield. Welsh Slate was considered appropriate for this regiment which was originally raised in 1685,and assumed its present name in 1959 after amalgamation. The Regiment has had a very colourful history in its short existence. The Cavalry Regiment of the Wales and Border Counties has seen action all over the world and the new monument will be for those who have lost their lives whilst serving their country. Inigo Jones & Co Ltd were approached for their assistance by the regimental solicitors. Gamlins Solicitors LLP in Bangor as Gamlins knew that Inigo Jones are a specialist slate company. The monolith is 3.5 metres tall and weighs about 2 tons. Inigo Jones & Co Ltd and Cwt y Bugail Cyf jointly agreed to donate this stone to 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards. Dewi Williams who currently operates the slate quarry at Cwt y Bugail said “We are absolutely delighted to have helped the Queen’s Dragoon Guards by partly donating this Welsh slate to the brave soldiers of this Welsh Regiment and look forward to seeing it in its place in Lichfield in the near future” Lt Colonel W.R.Brace MBE. BEM the Regimental Secretary of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards came to Blaenau Ffestiniog to witness the welsh slate commencing its journey to Cardiff for engraving before it is erected in Lichfield. Attached pictures 1. Lt Colonel Brace ( left) and John Brooke(right) thanking John Lloyd ( centre right) & Dewi Williams(centre left) for their kind donation before the slate was loaded. |
03/09/2010Solid Slate Patio Sets Riven and Polished natural Green and Black slate patio sets each comprising of table and 3 curved benches. Table is 1.100mm / 43" diameter and the base is supplied in 2 pieces that interlock together so is easy to lift and transport. The 3 benches are 127cms / 50" long and are already glued together and each are supplied in one piece. Now on special offer until 31/12/2010 £556.00 Collected including VAT Completely Maintainence free |
05/03/2010Slate Quarry Album Book Launch now postponed The book launch of the " Slate Quarry Album " witten by Gordon & Ann Hatherill was to take place at Inigo Jones on April 1st 2010 at Inigo Jones Slate Works. This has now had to be postponed owing to the fact that Gordon has a heart problem and is undergoing treatment. We wish Gordon a speedy recovery and hope to rearrange the launch later in the year. The book is written by Gordon and Ann who met whilst working as volunteers on the Tal y Llyn Railway, and tells the story of slate tramways and equipment. This book resulted from many holiday family visits to North Wales which is very well written researched and illistrated. John Lloyd of Inigo Jones Slate Works said " This book is excellent for those interested in slate quarries and helps to explain so many of the past relics" |
09/12/2009Christmas and New Year at Inigo Jones Inigo Jones are looking forward to another busy Christmas and New Year.The shop and cafe are open until 5pm on Christmas Eve and then reopen again as normal on Saturday 26th and are just closed on New Years Day and reopen again as normal on January 2nd 2010. Locals and visitors to the area are looking for things to do over the Christmas break and this is why we feel it is so important to be open over this holiday period. Lon Eifion runs past Inigo Jones Slate Works and is an ideal safe walk or bike ride from Caernarfon to Groeslon and back. |
14/08/2009Inigo Jones supply Slate Trophies and Coasters for Splash Worlds Crews from all over the world attended Pwllheli from the 8th to the 14th of August for the Splash Worlds,the majority of them from the Netherlands. The Splash sailors are all under 18 whilst those over 18 continue into the Flash class, which is the same boat with a larger sail. The President of the International Splash Class Luuk Feikens opened the event with over 400 competitors and families attending in the large marquee at Pwllheli Sailing Club. Inigo Jones Slate Works provided purpose made welsh slate trophies and coasters for the event. This is yet another prestigous sailing event held in Pwllheli and Inigo Jones were delighted to be asked to supply welsh slate for the event. |
19/05/2009Welsh Slate at Bafta Cymru Awards Engraved Aberllefenni Welsh slate bases were cut shaped and engraved by Inigo Jones Slate Works and used as bases on this years Bafta Cymru Awards, held recently at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. The bases were used to support the coveted Bafta Cymru Mask, which was created by Toby Petersen and based on a design by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe. John Lloyd one of Inigo Jones' directors said “We were delighted to supply welsh slate bases for such a prestigious event |
09/05/2009New BareFoot Trail at Greenwood Forest Park A new BareFoot Trail was recently opened by Mr Alun Ffred Jones,the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Heritage, and a slate plaque was supplied by Inigo Jones to mark the event. The Minister praised GreenWood Forest Park for their success and stated how important tourism was to Snowdonia.He is confident that 2009 will be a successful year for tourism as so many UK residents are going to holiday at home this year, he believes, owing to the strength of the Euro and Dollar against the pound. |
07/05/2009Resurgence in demand for Dragon's Tongue Whetstones There has been a huge resurgence in demand for welsh slate honing stones as a result of the World Wide Web.These welsh slate stones prefabricated from 500-million-year old welsh slate from the Aberllefenni quarry used to be produced in their thousands in the early 1900s to go into toolkits. As a result of recent discussions and recommendations on specialist forums such as www.straightrazorplace.com and www.forum.nassrasur.com, orders have been received from all over the world. The proprietor John Lloyd said " It is very exciting that demand has been created all over the world for this classic welsh product as a result of consumers discussing and recommending our Dragon's Tongue whetstones" |
18/11/2008Technology frees slate works employees for creative tasks Headlines from article that appeared in Western Mail on 30th October 2008. Aled Blake wrote "There some good news for manufacturing in Wales yesterday after a slate firm in Caernarfon reported a 70% increase in production. Technological support from Manufacturing Advisory Council, Wales has enabled the company to increase production, accuracy and consistency but without compromising the hand-crafted nature of its products. Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said this is good news and that Inigo Jones has made a significant contribution to the local economy for nearly 150 years and remains a highly successful company because it has adapted to changing markets and always been in the forefront of innovation" |
18/08/2008Unusual Slate Nameplate Inigo Jones supply over 1,000 nameplates every year all over the world. One supplied recently was a bit different as it featured Mickey Mouse. |
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16/07/2008Railway returns to Inigo Jones Slate Works A miniature railway will be running at Inigo Jones at Easter, May Day and Spring Bank Holiday. Lon Eifion was the old railway line which ran from Criccieth to Caernarfon and Inigo Jones had its own siding known as Grafog Sidings. The line was axed by Beeching in the 60's and so it is nice to see a railway back for the first time in over 40 years which is expected to be a big attraction for both locals and tourists. |
29/08/2007Unusual Memorial Plaque Inigo Jones recently supplied an unusual slate memorial plaque in the shape of a dart board. David John Williams was the local League Secretary for a number of years and so the local League decided it would be appropriate to honour his memory with this unusual slate plaque |
29/08/2007Sailing Trophies Galore Inigo Jones Slate Works have supplied a number of slate trophies for World and National Sailing Championships held in Pwllheli this summer. Over 400 trophies were supplied for the Cadet World Sailing Championships and 54 were supplied for the Merlin Rocket 2007 National Championships. Pwllheli Sailing Club now hosts many World and National Sailing Championships and is getting an excellent reputation for excellent facilities, organisation and good sailing. |
09/05/2007New Water Wheel at Inigo Jones Slate Works Tuesday May 1st 2007 New Landmark at Local Tourist Attraction Visitors to Inigo Jones Slateworks will have an additional reason to go to the attraction this spring and summer. A waterwheel celebrating the history of ‘the works’ has been erected which is a scaled down version of the original that was there. At one stage a 25’ waterwheel used to drive all the machinery in the mill. This had to be dismantled in 1952 since the channel that arched over the road carrying the water from the stream at Grafog became too low. This happened when there was the introduction of new double decker buses carrying passengers from Caernarfon to Porthmadog. The reconstructed waterwheel is similar to the original but is a scaled down version with a 10’ diameter. Company Director, John Lloyd is delighted with the new landmark: “Ideally we would have like to keep the scale and location of the original but costs would have been prohibitive. This is the perfect compromise and the site gives visitors an excellent view of the new feature. The history of the attraction comes alive and we are hoping the new addition will be as fondly thought of as the original.” When the original waterwheel came down such was the strength of feeling that a local reporter felt moved to write a six verse poem in Welsh about it. The poem talks about “the big, old wheel of Grafog” and is a sentimental depiction of the loss of its presence to the area. The first verse goes like this: “Mi ddwedaf wrthych chydig bach O hanes olwyn hynod Bydd yn bo hir, nis bydd ar gof Mae bellach wedi darfod Tros llawer blwydd bu plant y fro Yn chwarae iti’n fywiog Tra’r ffrwd ymdroellai’r trwy dy gafn Hen Olwyn Fawr y Grafog” The erection of the new waterwheel is the latest stage of a development plan which is on-going at Inigo Jones. Last year saw new landscaping and an improved frontage and there are further exciting plans in the pipeline to develop the e-commerce side of the business where visitors can buy slate and garden products on line. Ends For further information contact: John Lloyd, Inigo Jones Slateworks, Groeslon, Caernarfon Tel: 01286 830 242 E: john@inigojones.co.uk or visit www.inigojones.co.uk |
09/05/2007Slate of Hand - New Book Launch held at Inigo Jones on March 23rd 2007 Inigo Jones & Co Ltd were delighted to hold the first launch in the United Kingdom of a new book “Slate of Hand: Stone for Fine Art & Folk Art” written by American writers Judy and Ted Buswick.The book investigates slate quarry regions on both sides of the Atlantic. The book demonstrates how Welsh slate has been used by celebrity artists Andy Goldsworthy, Richard Long and Philip King for some of their works now on display internationally. Welsh artists featured include Bill Rice, Howard Bowcott, Ivor Richards, Sara Humphreys and Bill Swann. “Slate of Hand” proves that slate has inspired artists around the globe, with slate art exhibited in museums, and as decorations in homes. |
18/11/2006Original slate products make ideal Christmas presents Inigo Jones Slate Works is looking forward to another busy Christmas this year. Last years best sellers were slate wine racks and placemats and they are expected to be high on the list again this year. A new product is a slate picture frame that is proving very popular also. Engraved slate nameplates which are made to order are another popular item and make an original Christmas present. Orders that are for despatch must be ordered by 30/11/2006 to ensure delivery by Christmas. Orders can be placed online on our secure site www.inigojones.co.uk |
15/05/2006INIGOJONES OUTSIDE DISPLAY, SPRING FACELIFT 2006 In order to make the range of items that we produce and sell, even more accessible we have covered our display area in light coloured Cotswold stone so that our fine Welsh slate products are shown to their best effect. We now have a small 'Garden' area showing the range of slate chippings and Garden furniture. We also have displays of our flooring and paving tiles. There are many other garden features to see including sundials, birdbaths, water features, slate models and Celtic engravings. Our facelift also includes a fine display of hanging baskets and other plants. Dont just take our word for it, come and see for yourself. We are open 7 days a week from 9.00am until 5.00pm. Everyone is welcome at INIGOJONES. |
09/05/2006Inigo Jones launch new web site Inigo Jones Slate Works launch their new website on March 18th 2004. The new site offers all the company's products on a secure site. Shopping is made easy and nameplates made form 500 million year old welsh slate can now be ordered easily online and delivered anywhere in the world. Enquiries can also easily be sent for products that the company makes to order, and there is technical information also provided. Information on the tour of the slate works is also included and group bookings can be easily made online. The web site was constructed by Blue Sky Technologies of Colwyn Bay and the secure payment site is provided by Secure Trading of Bangor North Wales, thus ensuring local welsh businesses are supported in line with the company's policy. John Lloyd one of the company's director said "The new site was made possible by financial support from the Wales Tourist Board and it is now possible for orders to be placed for our quality slate products by anyone in the world " |
20/04/2006New book A new book " Welsh Slate Craft" by Alun John Richards is being launched at Inigo Jones Slate Works at midday on Friday April 28th. Alun John Richards is a renowned expert on the Welsh Slate industry and is the author of eight titles on the slate districts and heritage of Wales. The new book is 104 pages illistrated in colour and black and white and it chronicles the triumphs and the tradegies, the hardships and the hopes of this great industry and its people. John Lloyd a director of Inigo Jones Slate Works stated " We are absolutely delighted that Alun is launching his new book "Welsh Slate Craft" here at Tudor Slate Works,Y Groeslon, and it is very appropriate to have the event here, as the company has been established on this site since 1861, and has diversified its products over the years,continuing to use the same raw material namely Welsh Slate. Today the company prefabricates architectural memorial and craft products and is now open to the public for self guided tours of the slate works.There is also a new modern showroom as well as a cafe which is open to the public all year round" The launch will take place at midday on Friday April 28th followed by a buffet lunch. Alun will be signing copies of the new book in the showroom at Inigo Jones Slate Works between 1pm and 2pm. For further information contact John Lloyd 01286 830242 |
27/03/20062006 GULBENKIAN PLAQUES TO BE MADE BY INIGO JONES AGAIN Inigo Jones & Co Limited, Y Groeslon Caernarfon are delighted that they have been commissioned yet again to produce welsh slate plaques for the winner and finalists of the Gulbenkian Prize for 2006. The Gulbenkian Prize is awarded to the best Musuem and Gallery in the United Kingdom and the £100,000 prize for the winner is the single biggest arts prize awarded in Britain. The circular welsh slate plaques are engraved and presented to the winner and finalists who then proudly display them at their musuem.The winner will be announced on the 25th May 2006. John Lloyd one of Inigo Jones' directors stated " We are delighted to have been awarded the conract again this year to produce welsh slate plaques for the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize.Last year it was won by Big Pit ,and on the long list this year is the National Waterfront Musuem in Swansea and being totally biased I hope it will be another welsh winner again this year ! " www.thegulbenkianprize.org.uk |
27/03/2006INIGO JONES BECOMES QUALITY ASSURED Inigo Jones Slate Works is now a quality assured visitor attraction. The Wales Tourist Board inspected the slate works in June 2004 and passed the attraction and they can now display a VAQAS plaque made from natural welsh slate. John Lloyd the company's Managing Director said " We are delighted to be recognised as a quality assured visitor attraction,that is a quality mark that the customer will become more and more familiar with, as the Wales Tourist Board more actively promotes the scheme" |
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27/03/2006 INIGO JONES SUPPLIES SLATE PLAQUES FOR GULBENKIAN AWARDS. Inigo Jones supplied welsh slate plaques for the 2004 and 2005 Gulbenkian awards and were delighted when the 2005 winner was Big Pit from South Wales. The winning plaque is proudly displayed at Big Pit which is now one of Wales' major attractions |
27/03/2006Engraved Slate plate commisioned from Inigo Jones This special engraved slate plate was produced to order by Inigo Jones to mark the special campaign by the walled towns of Chester,Caernarfon,Denbigh,Beaumaris and Conwy. Inigo Jones specialises in items made to order for special events. |
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Tel: 01286 830242
Fax: 01286 831247
Email: info@inigojones.co.uk
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