On 14th October, the Member of Parliament for Caerphilly, Chris Evans, laid a floral tribute during a memorial service at the Welsh National and Universal Disaster Memorial Garden in Senghenydd, Caerphilly.
The service remembered the 439 men killed in the Senghenydd colliery disaster of 14th October 1913, the worst mining accident ever to happen in the UK. The Memorial also commemorates the 81 lives lost in the 1901 Senghenydd colliery disaster, and the 152 others who lost their lives in mining disasters across Wales.
The event was organised by Aber Valley Heritage group volunteers, who set up and run the Aber Valley Heritage Museum and Welsh National and Universal Disaster Memorial Garden.
Mr Evans said: “It was an honour to lay a floral tribute to the many hundreds of men and boys who died during the two mining disasters in Senghenydd, and across Wales, as Member of Parliament for Caerphilly.
“The legacy of coal mining runs deep across Caerphilly and the wider valleys. Many of our communities were built around the collieries. The coal which brought so much prosperity could also bring terrible grief and tragedy.
“We must never forget all those who never returned home during each of the disasters, and pay tribute to the many hundreds of rescuers who risked their lives and saved many.”
