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Protest banner created in the late 1970s to support campaigning in the slate communities to seek compensation for quarrymen (and their families) who suffered from the effects of slate dust - silicosis.

The banner is painted with a central image which emulates the logo of the North Wales Quarrymen’s Union, and inscribed YMGYRCH / CHWARELWYR FFESTINIOG / CYFIAWNDER JUSTICE / I’R CHWARELWYR : FOR THE QUARRYMEN / A’R GWEDDWON : AND THEIR WIDOWS

Over the years doctors working within the slate industry denied the harmful effect of slate dust on the health of quarrymen. In 1922 Dr Bradley Hughes, Penrhyn Quarry doctor, went so far as to say:- “We have no case of silicosis in the Quarry, of which I am aware; and I became convinced, after four years’ experience here, that slate dust is not merely harmless – but beneficial”.

Over the decades the harmful effect of the dust became evident, and during the 1970s there was a continuous campaign to secure compensation for quarrymen and their families who suffered as a result of the harmful effects of slate dust (silicosis). From 1974 Lord Dafydd Wigley and Dafydd Elis-Thomas intensified the fight for the quarrymen. In Gwynedd a hard campaign was fought by Ted Oliver, former secretary of the Quarrymen's Union; by Idwal Edwards, North West Wales Organizer of the T&G Union; and Tom Jones, his successor. Practical support was given by TUC Cymru and legal support by Sir Elwyn Jones, Bangor. As a result of a meeting in Ffestiniog (circa 1976) attended by Dafydd Elis-Thomas, a Campaign Committee for compensation was formed; and later, local campaign committees through the Gwynedd quarry villages with Mrs Marian Jones, Ffestiniog, as co-ordinator.

In March 1978 the Pearson Report was published which concluded:- We therefore feel unable to recommend that a special compensation scheme be set up for workers in the slate and other quarrying industries."

As a result, protest meetings were organized in the quarrying villages by the Campaign Committee and TUC Cymru organized a protest demonstration in Llanberis in July 1978. The Minister for Employment, Harold Walker MP, attended together with Alec Jones MP, Minister in the Welsh Office. A procession was held through the village of Llanberis - and this protest banner was created by the Ffestiniog campaign committee for the parade. Campaigners from the Blaenau Ffestiniog area were the last to arrive at the demonstration, but because they had the banner they were able to go to the front to lead the demonstration, and the flag was clearly visible on television broadcasts (the news).

The banner was also used in 2018 during a procession to mark the start of ‘Gŵyl Lechi Bro Ffestiniog’ - a celebration of the Ffestiniog area's heritage, culture and quarrying community to support the bid to gain UNESCO World Heritage Status for the slate landscape.

The banner is made from a bed sheet (approx. 6ft x 5ft), and has been painted. The sheet was painted twice to create a hard base, and then the text/image painted on top. There is a rope around three edges and a tassel fringe around the bottom.

Constructed from a central piece of fabric – painted white - with black fabric rope down each side, and red piping and black fringing long the bottom. Lettering painted black, and image painted in red, black, and grey. Across the top of the banner there is a wooden pole (which supported the flag) painted black.