TV show pays a visit to Blaenau
BLAENAU Ffestiniog is the next destination on the list of stunning locations Geraint Hardy will visit during the latest series of S4C’s Codi Pac.
Meirionydd’s famous slate town is the main focus of the next episode of the show, which looks at a diverse range of towns and regions in Wales through the eyes of a visitor; by taking a look at hotels and campsites, restaurants and pubs, theatres and hidden country trails and everything in between.
Geraint begins by visiting the historic cottage in Coed-yBleiddiau, which is available to rent, before traveling to town on the Ffestiniog and Snowdonia steam train. He then visits Cell B, an old police station turned hostel and arts centre, Caffi Kiki and devours “the world’s best” Kurdish pasty at the Model Bakery.
One of the episode’s highlights is Geraint’s visit to Llechwedd Slate Caverns, where he learns more about the rich history of the slate quarries. He meets Philip Jones, who works at the centre, and is taken 70m underground on Britain’s steepest funicular railway.
Philip recounts the story of the town’s quarries: “The quarry opened here in 1846. At the time, Blaenau Ffestiniog was important, and it was the place to be. Just under 700 people worked on the whole site. They created roof tiles in the mill. If they had good stones, they could create up to 600 slates in a day.
“My father and grandfather worked here. I can go back six generations of our family who have worked in places like this. Unfortunately, my grandfather had an accident. He was stamping down the black powder; the hole ignited prematurely, and he lost the use of his hand. That’s the sacrifice people made to put food on the table and a roof over their families’ heads.
“Without the slate, Blaenau Ffestiniog wouldn’t exist.”
After the visit to the town’s slate mines, Geraint returns to ground level, where he gets a taste of Blaenau’s thriving mountain biking scene at Antur Stiniog.
Geraint says: “I really enjoyed visiting Llechwedd when I went to Blaenau; I enjoyed hearing about the history of the people who worked there. So many people holiday in this area because of the activities on offer – Zip World, mountain and BMX biking. And Cell B is an amazing place too; I walked in and wow, it was so cool. I would go back to Blaenau in a shot.”
Codi Pac will be on S4C on Friday at 8.25pm.