First Minister Carwyn Jones has launched an appeal for the first Welsh National Mining Memorial at the site of the worst mining disaster in British history.
In total 440 men and boys were killed in 1913 following a huge explosion at the Universal Colliery site in Senghenydd. The disaster affected the lives of almost every household in the Aber Valley and sent shockwaves around the world.
The Aber Valley Heritage Group invited the First Minister to the village to launch the appeal for a memorial. Veteran broadcaster Roy Noble is Patron of the Aber Valley Heritage Group and he will also be in attendance.
The First Minister said: “Mining is central to the story of Wales. It has shaped our history and communities and its social and physical legacy is still with us to this day.
“There was a time when mining tragedies were sadly all too common and only recently we saw four men lose their lives at the incident at Gleision, an event which was a sharp reminder of the dangers of the industry.
“It is only right that we have a permanent memorial to those – both in the past and present – who go underground in search of coal.”
Jeff Cuthbert, Caerphilly AM, said: “It was fitting that the appeal for a Welsh National Mining Memorial was launched by the First Minister today at the site of Wales’ worst ever mining disaster. It was a poignant reminder of the inherent dangers of working in the mining industry, particularly the dangers for those who work deep underground.
“Only last year, we had the tragedy of the lives lost at Gleision Colliery near Pontardawe; while the year before there was the Pike River mining disaster in New Zealand. Unfortunately, the dangers are still all too real for miners and their families in Wales and across the world.
“We are rightly proud of our mining and wider industrial heritage here in Wales. However, we also need to commemorate all those who lost their lives carrying out difficult and dangerous work in an industry which once dominated the Welsh landscape and whose legacy still dominates our economy, our politics and society today.”
The Heritage Group is developing plans to erect a landmark memorial close to the former Universal Colliery site that will be dedicated to all mining communities across Wales, whilst also honouring the victims of one of the worst colliery disasters in British history.
Cllr Harry Andrews, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “We fully support this exciting scheme to recognise the generations of men and boys across Wales who worked underground – many of whom lost their lives in the process. The tragic history of the Aber Valley, together with its significant contribution to the Welsh Coal industry, makes it a fitting location for a Welsh National Mining Memorial – the very first of its kind in Wales.”
The project is moving forward thanks to financial support from Caerphilly County Borough Council, Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and various community contributions.
HLF has awarded Aber Valley Heritage Group £48,800 for a programme of activities that will raise awareness of the disaster in addition to creating the memorial.
These include researching public record office archives to identify the victims, training in oral history, digital story telling and creative writing and ceramic workshops to produce the commemorative tiles for each miner to be used in the new memorial.
Jennifer Stewart, head of HLF in Wales, said: “Our industrial past is an important part of Wales’ heritage, particularly in the south Wales valleys. It’s great that HLF funding is enabling Aber Valley Heritage Group and the community to mark this important event to create a lasting memory of the courageous miners who risked their lives every day. This poignant memorial and the Aber Valley Heritage Museum will act as permanent reminders encouraging present and future generations to explore the stories of their brave ancestors.”
The project will include a landscaped garden, a wall of remembrance, a small parking area together with a statue to be designed by artist Les Johnson providing a symbolic, poignant and recognisable landmark which will be a focus of respect for Welsh Miners.
For more information about the scheme or to find out how you can make a donation please contact Aber Valley Heritage Group on 02920 830444 or senghen.heritage@btconnect.com
A bit of history which we must really remember. even if we had rather not.
It is gratifying to see that something is being done to mark the centenary of this terrible disaster. More local men died on this day than during the four years of war that followed this catastrophe.
There is no more fitting place than Senghenydd for a permanent national memorial to those who died in the coal industry. I hope this memorial also reflects the suffering of those who did not die underground but suffered from the effect of dust, an all too frequent consequence of mining coal in South Wales.
It is great honour that Abervalley will be a centre piece for a national memorial for Wales, and quite right we remeber not only those that died underground, but we also remember those left crippled with illness and disease as a result of there work underground…