Casgliadau Arlein

A whistle which was used at Dinorwig Quarry to denote specific activities during the working day e.g. beginning of the working day, blasting time, lunchtime, end of the working day.

The whistle is currently powered by compressed air via a 1inch diameter pipe, and a 10ft x 35inch diameter receiver. The receiver operates at a maximum operating pressure of 100psi, but the whistle is audible from 50psi upwards.

The whistle was referred to locally as ‘corn y chwarel’ (‘quarry hooter’), although technically it is a whistle and not a hooter.

According to Mr Alwyn Owen (former fitter at Dinorwig Quarry) the whistle was originally located at Ponc Ffiar Injian (or ‘Steam Mills’ as this part of the quarry was also known). It is believed that two whistles were used at Dinorwig Quarry, one located in Ponc Ffiar Injian, and the other located in Ponc Hafod Owen.

It is possible that the whistle first worked with steam, rather than compressed air, as steam power was used from 1849 at Ponc Ffiar Injian to power saw tables. In his book ‘Bargen Dinorwig’ (pg. 77 and 146) Mr Emyr Jones refers to the shed which housed the saw tables at Ponc Ffiar Injian as ‘Sied Cwt Corn’ (Whistle House Shed). Therefore this reference also suggests that the whistle was housed at Ponc Ffiar Injian.

It is believed that the whistle was moved to Gilfach Ddu by Mr Hugh Richard Jones (Dinorwig Quary’s last Chief Engineer, 1966-1969, and one of the founders of the National Slate Museum), following the closure of Dinorwig Quarry.