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The mining memorial garden in Senghenydd, which commemorates those who died in the UK’s worst-ever mining disaster, has been formally recognised by the Welsh Government.

The memorial, which is on the site of the former Universal Colliery, has now officially been made the National Mining Disaster Memorial for Wales.

A total of 530 men and boys were killed on the site in the disasters of 1901 and 1913.

The garden of remembrance was officially opened in 2013 to mark the 100th anniversary of the disaster which killed 439 miners.

Now, after receiving the backing of First Minister Mark Drakeford, the garden has been added to the Statutory Register of Historic Parks and Gardens for Wales, and becomes the dedicated site to remember those killed in all mining disasters across Wales.

The formal endorsement could pave the way for future governmental support in the memorial garden’s upkeep.

“Absolutely fitting”

Dawn Bowden, the Welsh Government’s deputy minister for arts, sport, and tourism, visited the memorial garden as part of its formal recognition.

Ms Bowden told Caerphilly Observer it was “absolutely fitting” that the now-national memorial sits on the site of Wales’ worst-ever mining disaster.

“What is particularly poignant is to walk around the memorial and to see all of the mining disasters across Wales,” she said.

“We lost thousands of people to mining disasters during the time we had working mines in Wales, and this site here is something that will mean nobody will ever forget that.

“It will become a place of memorial and reflection.”

Ms Bowden, who represents the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency, explained that the idea stemmed from First Minister Mark Drakeford’s visit to the mining disaster memorial event in Senghenydd last October.

“We had to go through a process of consultation, because you have to do that if you’re going to designate or recognise something as a national monument or memorial.

“We wrote to all the local authorities and said this is what we intend to do, and so from March 12, we will be acknowledging and recognising this, the site of the worst mining disaster in Wales, as the national mining disaster memorial garden.”

“Something to behold”

Broadcaster Roy Noble is the patron of Aber Valley Heritage Group.

A former school teacher in Senghenydd, Mr Noble’s own grandfather was killed in a mining disaster in west Wales.

Mr Noble told Caerphilly Observer how he, alongside the late Jack Humphries – the former chair of the Aber Valley Heritage Group – went to London and various other places to get the money to build the memorial garden.

“All these paving stones mark all the other disasters that have happened in Wales – every pit is mentioned, it’s quite extraordinary,” said Mr Noble.

“The memorial garden is something to behold, so we want now to have signposts on every road, including motorways, directing towards it, so people can come here, as many people do.”

Gill Jones, of Aber Valley Heritage Group, said: “We are so very proud that our wonderful garden of remembrance has now become the ‘National Mining Disaster Memorial Garden of Wales’ and has been added to the statutory register of historic parks and gardens in Wales.

“It is through the determination and hard work of our volunteers, who spend many hours in all-weather to maintain it to the high standards required for such an honour.”

Councillor Lindsay Whittle, who is chair of the Aber Valley Heritage Group, explained how the group had several meetings in the run-up to the memorial being recognised – including two with the First Minister. There were also meetings with Cadw officials and Ms Bowden.

Speaking of the significance of the recognition, Cllr Whittle said: “The main reason why this is a historic decision is that we recognise on site every single mining disaster since the 1880s – not just here in South Wales but across the whole of Wales from north to east, and west and south.

“In effect it is truly a national monument.”

He continued: “Wherever you live in any mining community where there has been a disaster, you can visit and learn some facts. 

“We record the date and place of the disaster, and record the number of men killed – and it amounts to well over 10,000 men and boys killed.”

Cllr Whittle added: “We are very proud of our work and grateful to all who have helped us achieve this recognition.”

“Everybody saw what this place means to the community of Senghenydd”

Caerphilly’s Labour MS, Hefin David, said: “The most important part of the mining memorial is keeping the community linked in to their past and remembering what happened, particularly in 1913, but also across Wales, and that’s what this is about.”

Discussing the process behind the memorial’s recognition, Dr David explained: “The reason this has been designated is partly because the First Minister himself was here in October and saw first-hand the love the community has for this mining memorial.

“It was pouring with rain last October and the garden was full at the service. The First Minister spoke, Roy Noble spoke, and everybody saw what this place means to the community of Senghenydd and by extension, the rest of Wales.”

Dr David continued: “This is something I have been supporting the volunteers at the Heritage Group with for some time and I am absolutely delighted to see their hard work acknowledged and backing given from the Welsh Government”.

He added: “I also hope now we can keep working towards not only expanding the garden but also the museum, and perhaps in future maybe even moving the museum to this site. But at the moment it’s about celebrating the fact it’s had this designation.”

Mr Drakeford said: “It is only right that a site of such symbolic importance as Wales’ National Mining Memorial receives formal recognition – honouring the thousands of miners who died in colliery tragedies across Wales, while keeping the culture and memory of pit communities alive.”