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Aberfan memory fresh 40 years on Aberfan memory fresh 40 years on
(about 3 hours 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 tip slid down a mountain behind the south Wales village on to a school and 18 homes 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. Families affected by the tragedy and survivors will lay wreaths in memory of the dead at the village cemetery.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan attended a service in Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday. Welsh sporting events will also mark the anniversary during the weekend.
Everyone can remember how they heard about Aberfan First Minister Rhodri Morgan href="/1/hi/wales/5406568.stm" class="">Reflecting on lost generation Cardiff City players will wear black armbands during their game at Norwich on Saturday, and there will be a minute's silence before football matches in the Welsh Premiership and at rugby games.
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. A documentary being screened on BBC Two Wales on Saturday will chart the progress of work being carried out by American artist Shimon Attie with the people of Aberfan to create new images of the village.
The artist had never heard of Aberfan before going to the town, and wants to help provide the village with an alternative public face from the well-known pictures of the disaster.
He said: "I'm trying to use modern art to help normalise the village. I want it to be merely an ordinary Welsh village amongst other Welsh villages."
Coal was so important that we all accepted - until Aberfan - that there was a price to pay First Minister Rhodri Morgan Reflecting on lost generation
More than 40 people from Aberfan have taken part in the photographic and video installation, using objects from their daily home and working lives.
The participants talk about dealing with the grief and stress of the disaster, some detailing the guilt they felt at surviving where others perished.
None of them are being named, in a bid to allow them to remain anonymous once the exhibition is over.
The finished pieces will be shown in the National Museum of Wales in the new year.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan attended a service in Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday, along with representatives from Aberfan's memorial committee, parents who lost their children and some survivors.
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, fatherIt 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 rubbleSurvivor 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. Readings at Thursday's service were given by councillor Jeff Edwards, one of the pupils who survived the disaster at Pantglas.
The school and about two dozen houses were covered by the slide, which followed several days of heavy rain. The mayor of Merthyr, 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."
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.
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."
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."
An American in Aberfan is on BBC Two Wales on Saturday, 21 October at 2000 BST.


Have Your Say: Your memories of AberfanHave Your Say: Your memories of Aberfan