This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-28927097

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
1892 Park Slip mine disaster remembered in Tondu 1892 Park Slip mine disaster remembered in Tondu
(34 minutes later)
A mining explosion which killed 112 men and boys near Tondu in Bridgend county is being remembered. A mining explosion which killed 112 men and boys near Tondu in Bridgend county has been remembered.
The disaster at Park Slip exactly 122 years ago is thought to have started because of a faulty miner's lamp.The disaster at Park Slip exactly 122 years ago is thought to have started because of a faulty miner's lamp.
The rescue effort, which continued until late the next day, saw 39 trapped and injured miners brought to the surface.The rescue effort, which continued until late the next day, saw 39 trapped and injured miners brought to the surface.
A service is being held at a memorial at the site, now a nature reserve. A service was held at a memorial at the site, now a nature reserve.
Historian Neville Granville's grandfather John was among the last of the men to be rescued alive.Historian Neville Granville's grandfather John was among the last of the men to be rescued alive.
"The explosion happened at 8.20 on the Friday morning and he was brought out just before midnight on the Saturday," said Mr Granville."The explosion happened at 8.20 on the Friday morning and he was brought out just before midnight on the Saturday," said Mr Granville.
Horrible conditionsHorrible conditions
The former Cornish copper miner, 32, went home to his wife and seven children and lived to have another five more.The former Cornish copper miner, 32, went home to his wife and seven children and lived to have another five more.
But 60 women were widowed and 153 children lost their fathers on 26 August 1892.But 60 women were widowed and 153 children lost their fathers on 26 August 1892.
"It was not something he talked much about but newspaper reports mention the horrible conditions," said Mr Granville."It was not something he talked much about but newspaper reports mention the horrible conditions," said Mr Granville.
Local doctor Frederick Twist managed to reach the men below ground and, despite the risk of a further collapse, he tended the injured and stayed with them until they were all brought out.Local doctor Frederick Twist managed to reach the men below ground and, despite the risk of a further collapse, he tended the injured and stayed with them until they were all brought out.
"He was in his 20s and showed real courage," said Mr Granville. "He went back up only when all the men had been brought back up. He and my grandfather had a lifelong friendship.""He was in his 20s and showed real courage," said Mr Granville. "He went back up only when all the men had been brought back up. He and my grandfather had a lifelong friendship."
The subsequent effort to recover every person who died was relentless.The subsequent effort to recover every person who died was relentless.
"Every body was eventually brought to the surface," said Mr Granville. "Fifteen of the horses that died underground were also brought out - there was only one which was too difficult to reach. That's how carefully they went about it." "Everybody was eventually brought to the surface," said Mr Granville. "Fifteen of the horses that died underground were also brought out - there was only one which was too difficult to reach. That's how carefully they went about it."
The pit itself eventually closed in 1904 but although the disaster is not the best known it is remembered by the community, which will hold a memorial service on Tuesday to remember those who died.The pit itself eventually closed in 1904 but although the disaster is not the best known it is remembered by the community, which will hold a memorial service on Tuesday to remember those who died.
"It had a deep effect on this community and so it's important for us to remember," said Mr Granville. "It had a deep affect on this community and so it's important for us to remember," said Mr Granville.
WELSH MINING DISASTERSWELSH MINING DISASTERS
Source: www.welshcoalmines.co.ukSource: www.welshcoalmines.co.uk