General Chat

Aberfan. That is still so clear in my mind, the horror of it and thinking of the children, I don't think anything had affected me quite as much since.

Ann
Glos

we've had lots of disasters here in Wales too - in the mines that is - the worst one in my lifetime was the Aberfan disaster where a coal tip slid down on top of an infants school at 9:05 on the 21st October 1966 killing over 100 little children who had just gone into class - five minutes earlier they would have stood a chance. It also slid on a row of houses too - 129 in all were killed I think. The Coal Board used money from the disaster fund to pay for the clean-up - how sick is that!!!

Regarding Rita McNeil - David Alexander does say in his introduction to the song that it was written by her.

And like you say, fascinating to hear about life in other parts of the world - that's one of the great things on this site!!

Ann GG -- that's why I picked that song for you. ;)

Coal mining was long the way of life in on Cape Breton Island (part of Nova Scotia) -- since 1720, google just told me. They've had their share of disasters and deaths, for sure.

This is the story of one of the worst, the 1979 explosion. Criminal charges were laid against the owners, but came to nothing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAYFWPXPv-I

"This is a true story told by Cape Breton coal mine 1979 explosion survivor Abbie Michalik - he carried the body of Michael Fabian (Fabe) Young to the surface after a tragic Gas Explosion at #26 Colliery, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia - This brief video clip was captured by International Travel Photographer DMNikas ©August, 2007 - The photograph of 'Fabe' that is used as the official Miners Museum promo-photo was taken by Cape Breton photographer Warren Gordon two weeks before 'Fabe's' tragic death in the mine explosion.
Coal mining is one of the hardest + most dangerous occupations in the world!"


Rita wrote that song, Working Man.

http://www.ritamacneil.com/miningthesoul.htm

"MacNeil got a glimpse of what life underground is like when, just for fun, she toured the Princess mine. 'I was thinking it would be a fun thing to do - duh.' Going down the mine shaft did something to her. It was as if the spirit of the workers spoke to her through the pitch blackness. The song Working Man came to her, practically writing itself, she says."


I have mining roots myself -- in Cornwall. Except, from what I can tell, my grx2 grfather Hill, uh, owned one. How embarrassing. Actually, all I know so far is that he got a mining lease with a partner. Gotta find out what became of it ...


Glad people enjoyed the thread. I always find little stories and glimpses of life elsewhere fascinating, myself!

too true - but between us we know oh so much don't we!!!!!!

None of us are thick Ann................we just don't all know the same things:)) LOL

right - so I'm not as thick as I thought was!!

He might mean me Ann!!!! Lol! too many of us!

Ann
Glos

and which description was that Merlin? You've lost me!!!

Very interesting Katherine
Jenxx

Ann, That was a very good description of me,How did you guess? **M**.:o)>.pmsl.

right Kathryn - have had a look and a listen to her and she is excellent - still prefer Anne Murray however!!

That song about the coal mines is a particular favourite of Welsh singers - particularly a lovely man now deceased, called David Alexander'

We had big coal mining communities here in Wales for centuries but they were killed off by the so called Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, who unfortunately killed off many of our industries

Fell into the trap of assuming the male there. have to admit I didn't have a clue! She does look charming though and does have a lovely smile. We would be too polite to remark on her race.

Interesting thread though, thanks.

Ann
glos

shall take a look when I've woken up properly!!!

Snowbird! yeesh, was I born then?

Yes ... I was. ;) I was in high school, I think.

Here is what you really want, Ann.

Rita MacNeil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGLP2D9GbsI

Seriously.

There are several versions at youtube -- that one's kind of random. I looked for one in concert with Men of the Deeps, but can't seem to find one. Here's a bit of her in concert in her home town, to see her perform live (with the crowd singing along):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMFvTo86IUI&feature=related

bi-polars are usually OK if they take their medication regularly

By the way I'm listening to the lovely Canadian songbird Anne Murray at the minute - "Snowbird" I'm in heaven!!!

well you've certainly made up for it since!!!

Next, we'll do the 1837 Rebellions. ;)

Of course my families were all in England at the time, and I hated history in school, so you'll have to give me a few weeks to prepare ...

Typical reaction from our Royals with regard to Pierre's funeral! now if Margaret had run off with a Beetle, that would have been different. )))

Of course at the time "we" were probably bestowing a Knighthood on Mugabe - much more important.

Very informative thread - thanks for the lesson.

Jac

we've had Charles touring Wales this week - well he is Prince of Wales - but not in my book. At least he actually has a home here now - I remember being present at the docks in Cardiff during Empire Games Week in 1957 when HRH came on the Royal Yacht and she announced that Charles was to be Prince of Wales. I don't think anyone cared particularly.

yes Ann -- Margaret was treated publicly much as Diana was. If she'd been diagnosed a lot earlier ...

Another Canadian with the same problem -- who was also in the first series of our WDYTYA -- is Margot Kidder. Some may know her as Lois Lane in the Superman movies.

She was also mocked in the press when she was found hiding in someone's wood pile or some such, having deteriorated to the hearing voices stage.

Both Marg*s are now interesting, public-minded middle-aged women in their own right.