General Chat

Were there other, artificial hills, black ones made of waste?

Wales is beautiful now but I always had the impression that it was kind of overshadowed by it's exploitation really in that the quest for coal overshadowed everything and brought a lot of shadow into places where there should be sun.

Sorry if I seem to be turning into D.H. Lawrence for a moment but I always had a mental picture of the valleys being dark and overshadowed by coal waste.

We have been discussing this on our village site for the past week as many families have parents/grandparents who helped with the recovery afterwards.

Last night a list of every victim's names was posted and it's when you read the ages that it all hits home hard again.

I remember the news reports very clearly and the discussions at school about the tragedy.

In the dark Welsh Valley
On the mountain side
Lay the little children
Close to where they died
Their little lives are ended
Before they reach their goal
Tender little children
Have paid the price of coal

We will never forget Aberfan 21-10-1966

Ann <3 I remember the terrible tragic event .we were in work & they turned the radio up. we couldn't believe the tragic story we were listening to .its one day I will never forget .Remembering those who Died .Family & Friends <3

Sharron - the scenery has changed in as much as the hills which were black are now green, so a much nicer outlook

So sad I remember it unfolding on TV and the disbelief that it could have happened.

AnnC <3 <3 <3 <3 A sad day for you, remember the good times, I am sure there were many from what you say.

A terrible tragedy.

Strangely one of things I remember is 'another news item' which was announced, possibly by Cliff Mitchelmore, from Aberan.
A number of people had been killed in a major town by falling scaffolding.

<3 <3 <3

Can anybody from Wales please tell me how different Wales is now the spoil heaps have been cleared?

I didn't go there until the nineties when the industry was gone and the country had been sanitised. I love the valleys and have to get a dose of them from time to time but I always feel that they were much darker places then with the overshadowing tips.

Maybe I am very wrong about this but I would love to know how the scenery has changed.

Lots of memories for you Ann. <3

In 1966 I left work at 2pm on Fridays, I had my 18th birthday money + wages burning a whole in my pocket. Walked into town from work, through the bus station and into M & S and bought a couple of things - next Smith's for records but also look at the 2 shoe shops near Smith's.

Saw the news boards outside Smith's - I don't know how long I stood there trying to take in what the boards said. Went home couldn't shop anymore and put on the radio, burst into tears when the newsreader talked about what had happened.

Still makes me tearful. Cost saving that cost lives again.

Remembering all those who died. <3

AnnC <3 <3

I was only 13 at the time but do remember watching those black & white television pictures as the tragedy unfolded and the utter despair on the faces of the waiting families and those frantically searching for those lost....a very sad day <3

a JFK moment - we all remember where we were and what we were doing on this day - RIP <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <

Coincidentally 14 years ago today my lovely husband died