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Blondin winder, Penyrorsedd Slate Quarry, North Wales
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Blondin winder, Penyrorsedd Slate Quarry, North Wales
A Blondin winder at work, at Penyrorsedd Slate Quarry, Nantlle Valley, Caernarvonshire (now Gwynedd), North Wales. The Blondin is a high wire carriage system used to move the slate up or across the pit, as directed by the watcher. In former days Blondins were steam operated, but the steam in this photograph comes from the water-cooling of the electric motor resistance
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Blondin Caernarvonshire Conditions Cooling Electric Gwynedd Mine Mining Move Nantlle Operated Penyrorsedd Quarry Quarrying Resistance Slate System Winder Work Men
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In this evocative photograph, a Blondin winder is at work at Penyrorsedd Slate Quarry in the Nantlle Valley, Caernarvonshire, North Wales. The Blondin is a high wire carriage system used to move slate up or across the pit, as directed by the watcher. This industrial feat was once steam-powered, but in this image, the steam comes from the water-cooling of the electric motor resistance. The Blondin winder, a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the quarrymen, was a vital component of the slate mining industry in Wales. The quarry, nestled in the picturesque Nantlle Valley, was once a hive of activity, with men and machinery working in harmony to extract the valuable slate that was in high demand for roofing and other construction purposes. The Blondin system allowed the slate to be moved efficiently and safely, reducing the need for manual labor and the risks associated with it. The workers, dressed in heavy clothing to protect against the cold and damp conditions of the quarry, would carefully load the slate onto the Blondin, which would then be winched up or across the pit to the next stage of the quarrying process. Despite the advancements in technology, the working conditions in the quarry were still challenging, with long hours, low pay, and dangerous working environments commonplace. The men who worked in the quarry were part of a tight-knit community, bound together by the shared hardships and camaraderie of their work. This photograph offers a glimpse into the rich industrial history of Wales and the important role that the slate mining industry played in shaping the region's economy and culture. The Blondin winder, with its intricate system of cables and pulleys, remains a fascinating reminder of the ingenuity and determination of the men who worked in the quarries and the vital role that they played in the region's industrial past.
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