There’s an exciting buzz around this little country we call Wales. Most recently it was reflected in the football team’s success at the European Championships. Wales was put on the map by the likes of Gareth Bale and Joe Ledley, but there’s something else produced in Wales that’s world class; Welsh slate.
Renowned for being the finest slate in the world, Welsh slate really is something special. It’s dense, strong and durable which is why for centuries, it has been used to provide roofing on buildings. Whilst it has been keeping us all warm and dry for hundreds of years, It can also be used elsewhere in the home. Not only is it practical but it’s also very stylish and when compared to its Spanish and Chinese counterparts, it really is in a different league.
At Slate House, we use slate 300 million year old Welsh slate mined in Blaenau Ffestiniog to create unique gifts and homeware. Each piece of Welsh slate is meticulously hand-cut on a guillotine to the required shape. This method allows for a natural edge on each product and ensures that each and every piece is completely unique.
That’s the beauty of Welsh slate homeware – you can be completely sure that your purchase is a one-off. There’s nobody else in the world with a Welsh slate placemat set that’s exactly the same as yours and the Welsh slate clock hung up in your kitchen is completely individual. In a world that’s reliant on mass production and time saving measures, there’s something quite comforting in that thought!
So next time you eat from your Welsh slate cheeseboard or glance at your Welsh slate clock, remember it’s a little piece of Wales in your home and there’s a little bit of Welsh patriotism in your heart. We were all proud of the Welsh football team’s performance in the European Championship, but we should be equally proud of the raw materials and resulting products that are created in Wales every day and hold their own on a world stage. We may only have a little country but in some instances, it’s the best one!
