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Aberfan disaster: 50th anniversary marked with silence Aberfan disaster: 50th anniversary marked with silence
(35 minutes later)
Wales will fall silent later as the country remembers the Aberfan disaster 50 years ago. Wales has fallen silent as the country remembered the Aberfan disaster 50 years ago.
On 21 October 1966, a mountain of coal waste slid down into a school and houses in the Welsh village, killing 144 people, including 116 children.On 21 October 1966, a mountain of coal waste slid down into a school and houses in the Welsh village, killing 144 people, including 116 children.
A day of events to commemorate the disaster will include a service at Aberfan Cemetery at 09:15 BST. A day of events to commemorate the disaster included a service at Aberfan Cemetery at 09:15 BST on Friday.
Prince Charles will visit Aberfan memorial garden before unveiling a plaque in memory of the victims. Prince Charles is visiting Aberfan memorial garden before unveiling a plaque in memory of the victims.
He will also attend a reception with the families of some of those who lost their lives, before signing a book of remembrance.He will also attend a reception with the families of some of those who lost their lives, before signing a book of remembrance.
First Minister Carwyn Jones has called on the people of Wales to pause for a minute's silence at that time. First Minister Carwyn Jones had called on the people of Wales to pause for the minute's silence.
Prime Minister Theresa May agreed the nation should mark the occasion and remember those who died, when she led tributes in the Commons this week.Prime Minister Theresa May agreed the nation should mark the occasion and remember those who died, when she led tributes in the Commons this week.
Silences are being held at all Welsh Government offices, Westgate Square in Newport, Ffos-y-Fran open cast site in Merthyr Tydfil, and the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, among other places. Silences were held at all Welsh Government offices, Westgate Square in Newport, Ffos-y-Fran open cast site in Merthyr Tydfil, and the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, among other places.
Rob Williams of NAHT Cymru, the school leaders' union for Wales, said: "Schools across Wales will want to show their respect, and many will take part in a minute's silence at 9:15am. As a country, and as school leaders, we must always remember." Rob Williams of NAHT Cymru, the school leaders' union for Wales, said: "As a country, and as school leaders, we must always remember."
It was at that time, five decades ago, that the tip gave way and thousands of tonnes of liquefied slurry slid down into Pantglas Junior School and nearby homes. It was at 09:15, five decades ago, that the tip gave way and thousands of tonnes of liquefied slurry slid down into Pantglas Junior School and nearby homes.
Gerald Kirwaun was eight years old at the time of the disaster, and was at the school.Gerald Kirwaun was eight years old at the time of the disaster, and was at the school.
"I think Aberfan should never be forgotten. I don't think it ever will," he said."I think Aberfan should never be forgotten. I don't think it ever will," he said.
"It's nice for the children of the future to know exactly what went on that day and what happened to us."It's nice for the children of the future to know exactly what went on that day and what happened to us.
"I can close my eyes for a second and I'm back at that school.""I can close my eyes for a second and I'm back at that school."
Carwyn Jones said the disaster was "one of the darkest days in modern Welsh history". Simone Roden, headteacher at Ynysowen Community Primary School, where a minute's silence took place, said: "These children are the future generation of Aberfan.
"The children know about what happened a little bit. To remember and commemorate this year they've been involved in choir events at the Millennium Centre and Senedd singing for assembly members.
Mr Jones said the disaster was "one of the darkest days in modern Welsh history".
"Remembrance is important so future generations understand what happened in Aberfan," he said."Remembrance is important so future generations understand what happened in Aberfan," he said.
"It is a truly heart-breaking moment in our history and no-one who learns about the disaster can fail to be profoundly moved by it.""It is a truly heart-breaking moment in our history and no-one who learns about the disaster can fail to be profoundly moved by it."
The memorial service at the cemetery will be led by Father Mark Prevett and involve the official laying of wreaths. The memorial service at the cemetery is being led by Father Mark Prevett and involves the official laying of wreaths.
Politicians including the First Minister and Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns will be among those laying wreaths, as will members of the emergency services. Politicians including the First Minister and Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns are among those laying wreaths, as are members of the emergency services.
Merthyr Tydfil council has advised there will be restricted vehicle access to the cemetery during the service and members of the public are asked to use an overflow car park at Grove Field, where a shuttle bus service will be available. A service of remembrance was also held at St Margaret's Church, in Mountain Ash at 09:00.
A service of remembrance is also being held at St Margaret's Church, in Mountain Ash at 09:00. This service, open to all, has been organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf council because of the area's strong links with the community of nearby Aberfan.
This service, which is open to all, has been organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf council because of the area's strong links with the community of nearby Aberfan.
Coal miners from Mountain Ash and surrounding areas played a vital role during the rescue operation, many being called from their shifts underground to help.Coal miners from Mountain Ash and surrounding areas played a vital role during the rescue operation, many being called from their shifts underground to help.
A quarter-peal - 45 minutes of bell ringing - will ring out at St Tydfil's Church, in Merthyr Tydfil at 09:16, after the minute's silence. The ringers have all been selected to be the same age as the children who died would have been today. A quarter-peal - 45 minutes of bell ringing - are ringing out at St Tydfil's Church, in Merthyr Tydfil at 09:16, after the minute's silence. The ringers have all been selected to be the same age as the children who died would have been today.
The Welsh Assembly will fly its flags at half mast as a mark of respect to the victims, and a book of condolence has been opened in the Senedd.The Welsh Assembly will fly its flags at half mast as a mark of respect to the victims, and a book of condolence has been opened in the Senedd.
Further books of condolence will be available for members of the public to sign in Aberfan Library, Merthyr council's civic centre and Cyfarthfa Castle Museum.Further books of condolence will be available for members of the public to sign in Aberfan Library, Merthyr council's civic centre and Cyfarthfa Castle Museum.
St David's Church in Merthyr, will be open from 10:00 until 16:00 for people to pray or have time for quiet reflection.St David's Church in Merthyr, will be open from 10:00 until 16:00 for people to pray or have time for quiet reflection.
At 19:00 there will be a service at St Mary and the Holy Innocents Church in Nixonville, Merthyr Vale, at which the Rev Irving Penberthy, the Methodist minister covering Aberfan at the time, will preach.At 19:00 there will be a service at St Mary and the Holy Innocents Church in Nixonville, Merthyr Vale, at which the Rev Irving Penberthy, the Methodist minister covering Aberfan at the time, will preach.
The Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, David Wilbourne, who will address the congregation, said: "This is a time for us to come together as a community, sharing grief which is still so sore, despite the passage of time, and giving thanks for the lives of every one of those who died in the disaster."The Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, David Wilbourne, who will address the congregation, said: "This is a time for us to come together as a community, sharing grief which is still so sore, despite the passage of time, and giving thanks for the lives of every one of those who died in the disaster."
Another service was held at St David's Parish Church, Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday evening for members of the public to pay their respects.Another service was held at St David's Parish Church, Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday evening for members of the public to pay their respects.