Aberfan

We lived in Risca, which is about 15-16 miles from Aberfan. I was sixteen and in school when the news broke. When I got home, 2 of my 3 older brothers were there (I can't remember where the other one was) and we decided to get in the car and drive up there to see if we could help - but the roads were gridlocked and by the time we got to Aberfan the professional mines rescue teams had arrived and the police were turning volunteers back.

Anniebach, I bought that CD of Cantata Memoria for my mum. She said it was very moving indeed.

Don't know what to say it must have brought lots of memories back for you ?

Tan y Bryn. Stupid iPad !

I played once or twice with someone from the Windsor pub. My name is/ was very unusual both Christian and surname so would identify me immediately. My uncle lived in Tan y Bryan .Up the hill nearly opposite the pub Do you remember Mutton Tump?

Nellie, it is my all time favourite song but I didn't choose it for that reason, I looked for something in English as a tribute to all mining communities because several have spoken of their mining families, and Senghenydd has been spoken of several times

BBC2 are showing part of the concert which was performed at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff at 9.00pm this evening, Bryn Terfryl sings Myfanwy . I was told by some who attended the concert that it was a wonderful tribute but very emotional, Sir Karl Jenkins composed the most beautiful but haunting choral work and there is childrens choir of 118 children representing the 118 children who died that day

So sad
Especially as it was avoidable
Can't begin to imagine how those people coped.
My grandfather's were both miners
One killed down there
Leaving a family of small children to scrape a living
A difficult and poorly paid job in those days. Here's to all those people of Aberfan who struggle through dark days.

Anniebach That was a particularly good performance of Myfanwy by the Pendyrus Choir The emotion they put into that! That song just finishes me off everytime.

The tradition of those Welsh male voice choirs is wonderful. If you can't afford entertainment go out and sing it's a relatively cheap way to enjoy your self.

BEvan......not a Jenkins??? My granny used to manage the Windsor Pub.

It was so very sad,innocent little lives lost and heartbroken families.This is one of the reasons why I am now an atheist.

Heartbreaking
They lived,went to school and played together.How fitting that at rest they will for ever remain together.

Thank you ab for that, it was very moving, so very sad.

I remember this vividly both then and now, my Mum and Nan were both from the other side of that very tump. My uncle kept the pub at Deri. I can remember my whole family who had left the pits for London factories being so devastated. I was 8 and my Mum asked if they could donate my intended Christmas presents to the survivors. I draw comfort from hoping that someone enjoyed the baby doll and cot with hand knitted clothing my Mum sent "home". I know the money we gave was misappropriated by the government making the village clear up the NCB's mess - but at least that too was reinstated eventually. I hope our rememberence hasn't brought those still living with the pain too much grief. I know Annie my pain would be more if I was seeing my now past family playing out their parts again on black and white film. Thanks for arranging the flowers for us - a lovely gesture from you, if my Mam and Nan were still here they would have sent some and be in tears as I am again. We do still feel your sorrows and will always remember and support Aberfan..... It unites all Mums and Grans in grief - there but for etc.....

For all miners , their families and lost communities in the UK

youtu.be/VXiktmNxk8Q

Have been watching very very sad. Remember seeing it in the 60s when was young.

lully my great grandfather and paternal grandfather worked at the Universal in Senghenydd, until the accident. My maternal grandfather at the Windsor in Abertridwr. As a very young child I lived above my uncle's shop in the High Street at Abertridwr Went to school across the road.
My 3 aunties and my Dad all became teachers

George Thomas/Lord Tonypandy was Secretary of State at the Welsh office, he supported Lord Robens . Robens was at war with the unions over closure of some pits, so those to be angry with are Thomas, Robens and the union leaders , they put politics first . The money was eventually given back when we had the Welsh Assembly and Rhodri Morgan the leader of the assembly went a step further and also gave back the interest .

It is interesting how many of us come from mining backgrounds.

What a dreadful way to make a living, often with no choice. My grandad worked in Synghennyd and Abertridwr. My grandma told me about the disaster in 1913 when so many miners were killed and the village devastated. We regret the loss of heavy industry but it took so many lives at a young age.

No wonder there was such an emphasis on education in South Wales and so many became teachers.

Anniebach, I remember seeing this on the tv news at the time. I was only a girl but I remember I cried. I have been watching all the Aberfan programmes and cried again. However, now I am an adult, the sadness has been overcome by anger. I could not believe that man who said the villagers would have to pay what they could afford. How can you imagine how those poor families felt. I felt I wanted to punch him right on his nose for being so callous and insensitive. I thought of you and everyone in Wales yesterday, let there now be peace in the valley, but never ever forgotten.

I remember after DH came in from work, going out to the phone box (!) to ring my mother to talk to her. I couldn't do it ealier, a 22 month old! was not conducive to a phone box, never mind a call!! How strange to think that we weren't on the phone then, and didn't think anything of it!!

i dont think there are any words to describe this horror. The people of Aberfan have suffered too much. Prayers are with all of them.

So desperately sad and the Coal Board was worse than disgraceful from start to finish. I was 24 and had a first date arranged for that day after work and no way of getting in touch with my date so I went along to meet him and tell him that I couldn't go out that evening. I can still picture the bar where I sat to tell him why (he hadn't heard) and he then walked me home. I could never forget that dreadful event.

Anniebach, how you must have grieved over the years for everything that was lost - not just the human lives but the happy memories tainted. My DH has always remembered Cliff Michelmore crying as he read the news. I can recall a rescuer saying that he had seen a child's tiny fist poking out of the mud 'like a brussels sprout'. We were teenagers, but the horror of that time is etched and still brings tears.

Thoughts are with you Anniebach.
Such a dreadful tragedy, Aberfan will always be remembered.

I have now read through all the posts and would like to echo all the sentiments. I lived near Oxford in those days, but it was a well known fact that these slang heaps in Wales were very dangerous, had been for years, and needed moving asap, but nobody listened and then later the refusal to admit culpability was just shocking. My parents, DH and I thought Lord Robens should have been prosecuted and jailed for what amounted to manslaughter. Then when the heaps were moved the village had to pay for it, something I didn't know, well words just fail me!
ab, I'm deeply sorry for your loss('s)