A group of volunteers who helped realise the National Mining Memorial in Senghenydd have been given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The memorial was unveiled in 2013 to mark 100 years since the Universal Colliery disaster in the village that killed 440 people.
The Aber Valley Heritage group received their award from the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent on behalf of the Queen at a ceremony at Senghenydd Community Centre on July 21.
It is the highest award for volunteering in the UK and just five were awarded in Wales this year.
The Lord Lieutenant for Gwent, Sir Simon Boyle, said: “I send my warm and sincere congratulations to the Aber Valley Heritage Group for completing the huge project at Senghenydd by heroic voluntary efforts sustained over many years.
“The final result is an inspiration to us all.”
The group continues to keep the history of the Aber Valley and remembrance of all Welsh mining disasters alive for the benefit of future generations.
Very richly deserved. Without the efforts of these diehards, there would be no adequate remembrance. Though I would have preferred the Lord Lieutenant of GLAMORGAN to have presented it as the Aber Valley is and always will be in Glamorganshire. Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi gyd am eich gwaith galed dros y mlynyddoedd !!!
Well done aunty Gill.
Oh I didn’t see you there at first Andrea. Well done to you too.