THE MS for Arfon, Siân Gwenllian, congratulated Wales’ national museums in Llanberis as it celebrated 50 years of existence.

The National Slate Museum at Gilfach Ddu in the now disused Dinorwic quarry, within the Padarn Country Park in Llanberis, was opened in 1972, and documents the rich history of Wales’ slate industry.

The quarry ceased production in 1969 and the site was opened as an educational attraction on 25 May 1972.

The museum’s significant milestone comes one year after the Gwynedd slate areas were designated as a World Heritage Site.

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In July of last year, the area’s post-industrial quarry area became the fourth World Heritage Site in Wales, joining the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near Llangollen, and the Castles of King Edward in Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Harlech and Conwy.

Ms Gwenllian visited the museum, hailing it as an “internationally acclaimed” centre.

She said: “Having grown up and lived my life in this part of Wales, I, like many other local people have to remind myself of the monumental importance of the history that surrounds me.

“This area was the world’s industrial epicentre, and many people in Arfon are descendants to workers who roofed the houses of the world.

“I myself had a great grandfather who worked in a quarry in Arfon, and I was raised in a maritime village that shipped slates all across the world.

“Local people are proud of that history, and of the way it has been documented in the National Slate Museum.

“People in Arfon have lived in the shadows of these slate quarries, both literally and metaphorically, on a socio-economic level.

“The effects of the loss of this industry from the area is still felt, and there is a lot of deprivation.

“But there are a lot of things to be excited about, and any developments that come out of the area being designated as a World Heritage Site must bring tangible changes to local people’s lives.

“The national slate museum stands as a reminder of this area’s contribution to the world, and now it’s important that we look forward to the future and think creatively about creating sustainable employment for local people.”