Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

An “important symbol” of the Senghenydd mining disaster must return to the Aber Valley, according to heritage campaigners.

The hoof of a pit pony named Kildare was cut off after the 1913 disaster, which claimed the lives of 439 miners and one rescuer, and mounted on a silver display.

The hoof is currently at the National Museum of Wales’ storage site in Nantgarw.

It is set to go on display at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, later this year, before being permanently displayed at Big Pit National Coal Museum, in Blaenavon.

However, members of the Aber Valley Heritage Group believe it should have pride of place in Senghenydd.

Plaid Cymru councillor Lindsay Whittle, who chairs the heritage group, said: “We wrote to the National Museum of Wales asking for Kildare’s return so it can be displayed permanently in our local museum where it belongs.

“We have no idea who donated this to the museum but feel very strongly that it needs to be brought back to our valley. It is an important symbol of the disaster.”

Cllr Whittle, whose great grandfather was among those killed at Universal Colliery in 1913, continued: “It really is a great item and deserves to see some light now some 111 years following the disaster.

“The National Museum of Wales has to start rethinking its age old adage of keeping history away from where it was created.”

He added: “We also may have additional funding to improve the heritage room at Senghenydd Community Centre, so any costs associated with this would be ours.”

A Museum Wales spokesperson said: “The solid silver mounted hoof was presented to Mr Reginald Mortimer, an ostler of Standard Colliery, Ynyshir, Rhondda, for his work with injured colliery horses following the Universal Colliery Disaster in 1913. 

“It was donated to Big Pit National Coal Museum by the family of Mr Mortimer in 2014.

“At present it is in the collections centre in Nantgarw, where it is undergoing conservation in preparation for going on display in the STREIC! 84-85 STRIKE! exhibition at National Museum Cardiff this autumn.

“It will then return to be on display in the Senghenydd Disaster case at Big Pit.”

The spokesperson continued: “The national collection belongs to everyone in Wales and we are committed to lending items to museums and institutions across Wales for everyone to enjoy.

“We would welcome a conversation with the Aber Valley Heritage Group about their plans to display the hoof.”