Aberfan... 49 years

On October 21st 1966, devastation hit the small town of Abervan in South Wales. I was 6 at the time, but old enough to understand the overwhelming sadness of the tragedy. A cousin of my mother's lived in Merthy Tydfil then. We visited him and I remember him being a broken man at this time. His shoulders stooped with the heavy weight everyone felt at losing 116 children and 5 teachers from Pantglas Junior School, and 23 other adults.

One story I recall, although I'm not certain it is accurate, was of a teacher trying to protect some of the children, they were sheltering under his desk and were found huddled together. The memory, whether true or not has stayed with me and always will.

Here is a link to the story http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/pits/Aberfan/Aberfan2.htm



It is said that some of the parents in Aberfan still wait for their children to come home from school.