This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6072202.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Aberfan memory fresh 40 years on | Aberfan memory fresh 40 years on |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Survivors of the Aberfan disaster, which killed 144 people, mainly children, will join relatives of the dead at a private service later. | Survivors of the Aberfan disaster, which killed 144 people, mainly children, will join relatives of the dead at a private service later. |
| The lives of 116 children were lost when a coal waste tip slid down a mountain, engulfing a school and surrounding houses on 21 October 1966. | The lives of 116 children were lost when a coal waste tip slid down a mountain, engulfing a school and surrounding houses on 21 October 1966. |
| The families affected by the tragedy, along with survivors are to lay wreaths in memory of the dead at a cemetery. | The families affected by the tragedy, along with survivors are to lay wreaths in memory of the dead at a cemetery. |
| First Minister Rhodri Morgan attended a service in Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday. | First Minister Rhodri Morgan attended a service in Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday. |
| Everyone can remember how they heard about Aberfan First Minister Rhodri Morgan Reflecting on lost generation | Everyone can remember how they heard about Aberfan First Minister Rhodri Morgan Reflecting on lost generation |
| Representatives from Aberfan's memorial committee, parents who lost their children and some survivors, were among those who attended the public service St Mary's Church, Merthyr Tydfil, on Thursday. | Representatives from Aberfan's memorial committee, parents who lost their children and some survivors, were among those who attended the public service St Mary's Church, Merthyr Tydfil, on Thursday. |
| During his homily, Father Michael St Clair said: "I was asked several times, what do I think is the need for such a commemoration. | During his homily, Father Michael St Clair said: "I was asked several times, what do I think is the need for such a commemoration. |
| "We pray that all those who lost their lives are brought to that place of peace, light and happiness. | "We pray that all those who lost their lives are brought to that place of peace, light and happiness. |
| "Why do we commemorate so many things? Because we are a people who remember. | "Why do we commemorate so many things? Because we are a people who remember. |
| "Why are we here in these valleys? Coal is responsible. | "Why are we here in these valleys? Coal is responsible. |
| "In those days they didn't realise what they were doing, in our days we are so concerned with global warming and the effect on the environment. | "In those days they didn't realise what they were doing, in our days we are so concerned with global warming and the effect on the environment. |
| It doesn't matter if it's one year or 40 years on - the pain is just the same Cliff Minett, father | It doesn't matter if it's one year or 40 years on - the pain is just the same Cliff Minett, father |
| "What can we do to make things better for the future?" | "What can we do to make things better for the future?" |
| Mr Morgan called on the people of Wales to remember those who died. | Mr Morgan called on the people of Wales to remember those who died. |
| He said: "Everyone can remember how they heard about Aberfan. | He said: "Everyone can remember how they heard about Aberfan. |
| "I first heard about it on the lunchtime news that day and found it hard to make sense of the horror of it - the fact that a primary school had been buried, that so many children had died and the scale of the rescue operation. | "I first heard about it on the lunchtime news that day and found it hard to make sense of the horror of it - the fact that a primary school had been buried, that so many children had died and the scale of the rescue operation. |
| "This was the 1960s. Wales still had 100,000 miners and coal was king. Coal was so important that we all accepted - until Aberfan - that there was a price to pay and we were all prepared to pay it. | "This was the 1960s. Wales still had 100,000 miners and coal was king. Coal was so important that we all accepted - until Aberfan - that there was a price to pay and we were all prepared to pay it. |
| Survivor Susan Robertson is pulled from the rubble | Survivor Susan Robertson is pulled from the rubble |
| "What we never foresaw was that coal could take the lives of our children. That was new, and terrible." | "What we never foresaw was that coal could take the lives of our children. That was new, and terrible." |
| Twenty-eight adults also died when the landslide of muddy coal waste demolished Pantglas Junior School and neighbouring houses. | Twenty-eight adults also died when the landslide of muddy coal waste demolished Pantglas Junior School and neighbouring houses. |
| The slip happened just after pupils had arrived for classes at the school on the last day before half-term that year. | The slip happened just after pupils had arrived for classes at the school on the last day before half-term that year. |
| The school and about two dozen houses were covered by the slide, which followed several days of heavy rain. | The school and about two dozen houses were covered by the slide, which followed several days of heavy rain. |
| Images of the tragedy were beamed around the world, prompting donations for a disaster fund which reached a total of £1.75m. | Images of the tragedy were beamed around the world, prompting donations for a disaster fund which reached a total of £1.75m. |
| A tribunal found the National Coal Board was responsible for the disaster, but nobody was sacked or prosecuted. | A tribunal found the National Coal Board was responsible for the disaster, but nobody was sacked or prosecuted. |
| Readings at Thursday's service were given by Councillor Jeff Edwards, who was one of the pupils that survived the disaster at Pantglas. | Readings at Thursday's service were given by Councillor Jeff Edwards, who was one of the pupils that survived the disaster at Pantglas. |
| The Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil, Ian Clark, said: "We pray for the families and friends of all who died that they may draw comfort from their faith and the support of the community." | The Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil, Ian Clark, said: "We pray for the families and friends of all who died that they may draw comfort from their faith and the support of the community." |
| Cliff Minett, who lost two of his three children in the disaster, said: "It doesn't matter if it's one year or 40 years on - the pain is just the same." | Cliff Minett, who lost two of his three children in the disaster, said: "It doesn't matter if it's one year or 40 years on - the pain is just the same." |
| Have Your Say: Your memories of Aberfan | Have Your Say: Your memories of Aberfan |