08/02/2010 10:21:10
Slate Quarry Album Book Launch
The book launch of the " Slate Quarry Album " witten by Gordon & Ann Hatherill will take place at Inigo Jones on April 1st 2010 at Inigo Jones Slate Works.
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"

09/12/2009 15:21:17
Christmas 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.

14/08/2009 15:40:59
Inigo 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.

19/05/2009 13:11:56
Welsh 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

09/05/2009 17:03:06
New 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.

07/05/2009 12:27:50
Resurgence 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"

18/11/2008 15:18:15
Technology 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"

18/08/2008 15:03:20
Unusual 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.

16/07/2008 20:52:32
Railway 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.

29/08/2007 09:10:56
Unusual 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

29/08/2007 09:01:26
Sailing 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.

09/05/2007 12:24:24
New 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

09/05/2007 12:21:05
Slate 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.

18/11/2006 13:03:13
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 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

15/05/2006 15:41:32
INIGOJONES 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.

09/05/2006 12:57:10
Inigo 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 "

20/04/2006 13:58:25
New 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

27/03/2006 12:42:51
2006 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

27/03/2006 12:02:26
INIGO 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"

27/03/2006 11:40:21
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

27/03/2006 11:19:58
Engraved 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.