AFTER 50 hard working years, Graham Sleep recently retired as a slate splitter from Delabole Slate Quarry.

Following his retirement, on May 13 a commemorative 18 carat gold watch was presented to Graham by George Hamilton on behalf of the company in celebration and gratitude. The production team also made a Delabole Slate plaque, to which engineering charge hand Scott had added Graham's trusty hand tools.

Born and raised in Delabole, Graham made the most of living next to the oldest and largest slate quarry in England, and from the age of 15 trained in the traditional art of slate splitting.

See the full report in this week's 'Post'.