AROUND thirty people turned up to a public service in Gilwern to remember 62 adults and children whose remains were removed due to major roadworks.

The former Lion Terrace Chapel, from where the bodies were removed, was demolished to make way for a new roadway to dual the Head of the Valley road between Gilwern and Brynmawr.

The construction firm responsible for the work, Costain Ltd, applied for a licence to exhume and bury the dead from the Ministry of Justice last year.

Before the remains were moved in September, a service was held to commemorate the dead before they were reinterred at the cemetery next to Llanelly Church.

The headstones of six adults and four children were discovered initially before further inspection unearthed the remains of 52 other people at the site.

Costain Ltd had launched an appeal to try and trace relatives of those buried at the old site, but seemingly to no avail.

Despite this, a good number of people along with representatives of the company were in attendance to pay their respects at the service on Thursday.

The service was led by Rev Dr Stephen Wigley, chairman of the Wales Synod of the Methodist Chapel and Rev Cath Lewis.

A statement from the Methodist Church read: "The chapel where these bodies were originally buried has not been within our control for many years.

"However, when these people passed away there was an expectation that the remains would be treated with dignity, care and respect.

"Today we are going to honour that expectation by reburying the remains at their new location, with Christian love."

Set against a sloping hill looking out onto scenic views of the surround valley, many agreed that the cemetery was a fitting place for the reburial.

“It’s a wonderful resting place," said Rachael Nash, a resident who lives next door to the church.

“I am glad that so many people have come out today.”

Carol Joynson, of Llanmartin, was also present at Llanelly Church where her grandparents Hayden and Sarah Jones wed nearly 100 years ago.

She said: “I think the most important thing is that so many people have come here to show their respects for those buried, especially the children.”