500 MILLION YEAR OLD WELSH SLATE MONOLITH STARTS ITS JOURNEY FROM BLAENAU FFESTINIOG TO THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM NEAR LICHFIELD.

A Welsh slate monolith has been selected for a new memorial for 1^st The Queens Dragoon Guards (The QDGs) soon to be erected at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield.

Welsh Slate was considered appropriate for this regiment which was originally raised in 1685,and assumed its present name in 1959 after amalgamation. The Regiment has had a very colourful history in its short existence. The Cavalry Regiment of the Wales and Border Counties has seen action all over the world and the new monument will be for those who have lost their lives whilst serving their country.

Inigo Jones & Co Ltd were approached for their assistance by the regimental solicitors. Gamlins Solicitors LLP in Bangor as Gamlins knew that Inigo Jones are a specialist slate company.

The monolith is 3.5 metres tall and weighs about 2 tons.

Inigo Jones & Co Ltd and Cwt y Bugail Cyf jointly agreed to donate this stone to 1^st Queens Dragoon Guards.

Dewi Williams who currently operates the slate quarry at Cwt y Bugail said

We are absolutely delighted to have helped the Queens Dragoon Guards by partly donating this Welsh slate to the brave soldiers of this Welsh Regiment and look forward to seeing it in its place in Lichfield in the near future

Lt Colonel W.R.Brace MBE. BEM the Regimental Secretary of the Queens Dragoon Guards came to Blaenau Ffestiniog to witness the welsh slate commencing its journey to Cardiff for engraving before it is erected in Lichfield.