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Senedd members have paid tribute to the tireless hard work of volunteers after the Senghenydd garden of remembrance was formally recognised as the national mining memorial.

Delyth Jewell marked the milestone as the garden of remembrance, on the site of the former Universal Colliery, was officially made the National Mining Disaster Memorial for Wales.

The Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales East hailed campaigners for their commitment to the memorial garden, which marks the UK’s worst-ever mining disaster in 1913.

Ms Jewell told the Senedd: “The garden of remembrance, which opened in 2013, stands on the site of the Universal Colliery.

“It is a memorial not only to the 439 miners and one rescuer who lost their lives that dreadful day but to all the untold numbers of lives cut short in mining disasters across Wales.

“I would like to pay tribute to the Aber Valley Heritage Group for their commitment to the memorial garden and all of the hard work from volunteers that goes into its upkeep.”

‘Poignant reminder’

Plaid Cymru’s deputy leader backed the campaigners’ calls for the hoof of a pit pony killed in the 1913 disaster to return to the Aber Valley.

The hoof is set to go on display at the National Museum Cardiff this year, before being permanently housed at the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon.

Ms Jewell said: “There is a campaign to secure permanent display at a local museum for the hoof of the pit pony Kildare, which was cut off following the Senghenydd explosion.

“Were it brought back, of course, to the valley, it would stand as a poignant reminder that a man and a boy’s life was worth less than that of a horse.”

“There is a hope locally that public authorities will look favourably on this demand.”

‘Fierce commitment’

Ms Jewell congratulated all those who worked hard to seek recognition for the memorial in honour of the thousands of miners who have died in colliery disasters across Wales.

She hailed volunteers’ “fierce determination” to keep the memory and culture of mining communities alive “as something we can all cherish”.

Hefin David praised cooperation between the heritage group and Welsh Government, which added the memorial to the statutory register of historic parks and gardens for Wales.

The Labour MS for Caerphilly said: “I am very grateful to both Dawn Bowden and Mark Drakeford for visiting the memorial garden and giving it the recognition it deserves.”

Dr David added: “This is something I’ve been supporting the volunteers with for some time.

“It will ensure the protection of the memorial garden and the museum in the future, in remembrance of those who lost their lives in mining disasters across Wales.”