Village 'sadness' at job losses

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A meeting between politicians and managers to discuss 175 jobs under threat at three slate quarries has ended with neither side commenting.

MP Elfyn Llwyd, and AM Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas talked to Alfred McAlpine managers after claims by the transport union that the jobs are to go.

The losses at Cwt y Bugail, Penrhyn and Gloddfa Ganol quarries in Gwynedd have shocked surrounding communities.

One quarry worker said the overwhelming feeling was of sadness.

Kevin Jones, 48, has worked at Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda for 24 years and said jobs there were considered well-paid for the area, with wages of up to £350 a week if shift allowances were taken into account.

Seventy jobs are thought to be under threat at Penrhyn.

"I feel gutted and really feel for the younger ones," he said.

This is a hell of a slap for the local economy Gwilym Griffith, taxi driver

Mr Jones, who has four children, said he would have to travel away to work if he lost his job.

Alan Sullivan, 54, who has worked at the quarry for 20 years said: "The news about the job losses has been a shock to a lot of people.

"It used to be that people left school to go and work in the quarry, it was just the way, you followed your father," he added.

The Bull is a regular watering hole for quarry workers and licensee Glyn Williams, 47, is himself a former Penrhyn Quarry worker.

"The jobs going will have a knock-on effect on lots of businesses in the village," he said.

Local builder Meurig Jones said the worst aspect was the lack of other employment in the area.

"I know a lot of the lads working there, and there's just nothing else for them to do.

"Local businesses will be affected, and some of the lorry drivers working there have bought their own lorries," he said.

Glyn Williams said all local businesses would be affected

Gwilym Griffiths, 49, runs a local taxi company, but he too used to work at the quarry.

"I don't know yet if this will affect me, but this is a hell of a slap for the local economy," he said.

"It's difficult these days with mortgages so high.

"Anyone who has taken out a mortgage in the last three years will have at least £100,000 of debt.

"They would be very lucky to find another job around here. Some of them might lose their homes because of this," he added.