to Karl Jenkins ‘Cantata Memoria’ -
composed to commemorate 50 years since the Aberfan disaster - 116 children and 28 children ‘killed by the National Coal Board’
Thank-you for posting this. I remember watching the news in 1966. I assume you mean 28 adults. It’s one of those things which never leaves you. A bit like Hillsborough, I suppose. I was at the other semi-final that day.
Best wishes, Steve.
As an eleven year old boy I found this event moving me like nothing else had done. I saw a newpaper article and kept it for a while.
For some reason I don’t remember anyone talking about it the. I watched The Aberfan Young Wives Club and couldn’t really speak for an hour.
Anthony
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yes, should have written 28 adults.
The Cantata Memoria had me in tears - the first part extremely moving, the most profound part is the long silence.
Karl Jenkins an absolute genius!
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I remember it well too. It’s still incomprehensible that such a thing can happen and noone knew until it was upon them.
Tragic!
Pollx
The NCB knew the tip was on top of a sandstone base and there were a number of natural springs underneath.
There were another two tips nearby above Aberfan and the NCB refused to fund the removal of these tips. Monies donated to the bereaved families (£150,000) was used to shift these two tips.
after the horse had bolted comes to mind.
poll
Not often TV makes me shed a tear, 9/11 probably the last time, but amazing resilient ladies, not sure I could have had more children after the disaster, I am convinced they don’t make them like that any more, I was 5 at the time but can remember it vividly, frightening,when you’ve just started scool. The bits that really got to me were when the mum was saying ‘she had new shoes’ and another who also had new shoes, I know it’s a common occurance, that’s why it’s so sad, new shoes used to be such a big deal, but to be the last thing, you spoke to your child about as in, yes you can or no you can’t wear them today…just so mundane and heartbreaking.
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Not often TV makes me shed a tear, 9/11 probably the last time, but amazing resilient ladies, not sure I could have had more children after the disaster, I am convinced they don’t make them like that any more, I was 5 at the time but can remember it vividly, frightening,when you’ve just started scool. The bits that really got to me were when the mum was saying ‘she had new shoes’ and another who also had new shoes, I know it’s a common occurance, that’s why it’s so sad, new shoes used to be such a big deal, but to be the last thing, you spoke to your child about as in, yes you can or no you can’t wear them today…just so mundane and heartbreaking.
so,so awful i was 9 at the time and can remember my mum crying over it.It was a tragedy waiting to happen.Those poor families.