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Bereavement

Remember Aberfan

(105 Posts)
Shinamae Mon 21-Oct-24 10:23:36

This day in 1966
My mother was Welsh and I still have some family in Wales..

Indigo8 Mon 21-Oct-24 10:34:42

I was a teenager when this happened but I can still remember the shock and the sadness.

I believe that an enquiry later found that the tragedy could have been avoided.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 21-Oct-24 10:38:17

A poignant reminder of a tragic day. I remember the shock of reading about it in the paper. I was in Y8 at the time and the death and suffering of all those children touched me greatly.

flappergirl Mon 21-Oct-24 10:39:57

Yes, I remember it very well. I was 9 years old and I remember my mother crying as we watched the news unfold on the television. I also vividly remember her anger and using words like "senseless" and "preventable". Everyone should learn about Aberfan.

Doodledog Mon 21-Oct-24 10:40:06

I was primary age, so the same age as the children, and I remember my mother being distraught.

mokryna Mon 21-Oct-24 10:46:19

It was a very sad time. I was pleased to learn that The Queen visited several times and kept contact with families.

I was working in London where there were several collections to help families but of course nothing could/can replace their lost.
My thoughts go to them.

Anniebach Mon 21-Oct-24 10:55:02

Every year for some years, flowers are laid 21st October in Aberfan from Gransnet , thank you

silverlining48 Mon 21-Oct-24 10:56:21

I was 18 and working in London. I saw the news reported on the newspaper stands along The Strand, shocking.
A tragedy and one that will never be forgotten.

MissInterpreted Mon 21-Oct-24 11:06:18

Anniebach

Every year for some years, flowers are laid 21st October in Aberfan from Gransnet , thank you

I didn't know that. That's a lovely gesture. Thanks for letting us know.

TerriBull Mon 21-Oct-24 11:07:18

Two occasions when I remember my mother crying over a world event, one was the assassination of JFK, the other Aberfan, all those school children.

Anniebach Mon 21-Oct-24 11:15:04

Quote MissInterpreted Mon 21-Oct-24 11:06:18
Anniebach
Every year for some years, flowers are laid 21st October in Aberfan from Gransnet , thank you
I didn't know that. That's a lovely gesture. Thanks for letting us know.

When I joined Grannet there was a thread like this, I asked if
those posting would like me to include them when I laid flowers every year, I had permission from the moderators too.

Aveline Mon 21-Oct-24 11:18:13

I remember a special church service at our school. There was a special collection to send to Aberfan to help to build a new school.

SueDonim Mon 21-Oct-24 11:24:29

I didn’t know that, Annie. How lovely of them.

I was 12 when Aberfan happened, I heard at lunchtime at school, someone must have told us about it, maybe someone who went home for lunch. My mum is from the valleys so she and my grandad felt it badly, all those beautiful children. sad

Allira Mon 21-Oct-24 11:28:26

Anniebach

Every year for some years, flowers are laid 21st October in Aberfan from Gransnet , thank you

Thank you Anniebach

Thinking of you and of all those families of the children and adults who died.

flowers

maddyfour Mon 21-Oct-24 11:29:37

Anniebach

Every year for some years, flowers are laid 21st October in Aberfan from Gransnet , thank you

I didn’t know that either.
I’m so pleased this is done in our name.
Thank you for telling us Anniebach.
I was thirteen years old when this happened and I remember it well.

Margiknot Mon 21-Oct-24 11:31:51

A classmate in my school lost a cousin. It was shocking and very very sad. 50 years ago but remembered with sadness.

hulahoop Mon 21-Oct-24 11:33:48

How lovely just want to say thank you x

62Granny Mon 21-Oct-24 11:37:38

I was 8 at the time and living in Wales, quite near a mountain, although not a slag heap, but at the time I didn't know the difference, I often wondered if our mountain would move. I also remember one of my school friends saying her dad had gone to help. It stays with you for the rest of your life.

Anniebach Mon 21-Oct-24 11:49:53

Aberfan - The fight for justice. The BBC .

Excellent documentary but many will not want to view, Huw Edwards, it shows how truth can be hidden

Auntieflo Mon 21-Oct-24 12:27:38

Our daughter was 6 months old at the time, and I remember thinking that I would always remember the disaster, as our son was 1 month old when JFK was assassinated and thought there couldn't possibly be any other dreadful happenings.
Such sad times.

Grandma70s Mon 21-Oct-24 12:35:27

I was in my twenties. A Dutch colleague who spoke little English had heard it on the radio, and was struggling to explain. She was in tears.

crazyH Mon 21-Oct-24 12:35:33

I didn’t know that Anniebach - thankyou

Iam64 Mon 21-Oct-24 12:39:39

Thank you Anniebach, I always think of you on this day. I was 17 and remember watching the news on tv with my parents. It was one of those memories that stay with you of a tragedy that should not have happened

Anniebach Mon 21-Oct-24 12:44:38

There were more casualties to follow, a mother who took her
own life, the grandfather who became an alcoholic, the fathers and grandfathers who worked in the colliery so had dug out
the slag which built the tips , tip 7 which came down that day

jusnoneed Mon 21-Oct-24 13:06:23

My partners mum was from Aberfan, she was past school age when this happened but knew some of the families. Some of her family were miners.
His cousin still lives in the village.