Aberfan: Message from Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil

The Mayor of Merythr Tydfil has replied to the Mayor’s message of condolence on the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.

Dear Mayor

Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness in sending this email.

The 50th anniversary was always going to be particularly difficult for the people not just of Aberfan but of the wider community and beyond.

So many people helped over that period and many returned this year as a mark of respect.

Retired naval personnel that helped dig from HMS Tiger that happened to be docked in Cardiff at the time, retired soldiers that were sent from surrounding barracks at the time returned from all over the country, colliers, factory workers, health professionals, emergency service members, in fact people came from everywhere, even those that have since moved abroad made the journey back for the 50th anniversary and for many it was the first time they had managed to describe their feeling in all that time.

It was an extremely emotional week where a series of remembrance services were held in order to accommodate all that wished to participate.

I am grateful to you for thoughts for our community and the difficulties that they have endured over the years in its many forms since the disaster.

Thank you for taking the time to write.

Kind Regards

Cllr Margaret Davies
Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil