CHILDREN from two primary schools joined members of the Abersychan community to commemorate the anniversary of one of the village’s worst mining disasters.

A massive gas explosion at the Llanerch colliery killed an estimated 176 men and boys, some as young as 12, on February 6, 1890.

Pupils from Garnteg and Victoria primary schools walked the same route as those who did not return 127 years before them at almost the exact time when the disaster struck.

They were joined by members of Torfaen council, including the three Abersychan ward members, the leader and mayor as well as the MP and chair of the Pontypool Community Council.

“I think it is absolutely vital that February 6 – every year – is a crucial date in the history of the eastern valley,” said Nick Thomas-Symonds.

“One of the important things about having that set date is that is enables us to be able to pass on this act of remembrance to the future generations.

“We have schoolchildren at the site and it is vital that we never forgot the lessons of the past. And to do that, we need out future generations to keep that memory alive,” said the Torfaen MP.

Mr Thomas-Symonds added that the memory of those who died should live on as a lesson for the future.

“It was 176 men and boys who died in the explosion. It’s a lesson both in how far we’ve come but also how precious that progress is.

“We must ensure that we never end up going backwards again. That is something that we need to future generations to be able to see,” he added.

The memorial has been held at the site of the gas explosion for the past three years, with the three ward councillors – Gwyneira Clark, Giles Davies and Wayne Tomlinson – driving the commemoration.

“It’s very important as after all, 176 local men and boys gave their lives for this ward, so it’s vital that we do not forget them,” said cllr Davies.

“This is the third year running that we’ve come to the Llanerch site and where the memorial trust started from.

“We walk the route at the same time as the explosion occurred and the families would have been up here 127 years ago finding out what had happened to their loved ones.

“It is fitting to have the memorial here to mark this occasion.”

The leader of the council, cllr Anthony Hunt, paid tribute to the trio for bringing the memorial to the fore each year.

“It’s an important part of our local history and I think that’s something which makes our community special,” said cllr Hunt.

“Gwyneira, Giles and Wayne have been involved in spearheading this and getting these commemorations up and going and that’s an important part of our local history.

“It’s good to be able to be here to join them.”

The service held a special resonance for cllr Jon Horlor, the chair of Pontypool Community Council and his own family’s links to mining.

“This event is more important for the children than for the adults, even though many of them have passed down the oral history of the explosion, coming here to see the presentation that Fiona Ford gave – showing photos of the event and the background – it makes the incident more personal.

“For someone such as myself, my grandfather’s brother died in a pit and it’s important that we do not forget,” he said.

“My grandfather worked in a pit when he was 11 years old. My great-grandmother was described in the census as a ‘wheel greaser’ for the trucks that went underground.

“From that point of view, children from a very young age were all working hard for very long hours.

“This memorial is increasing in size every year. It’s good to see it grow, especially with the children attending.”

A permanent memorial is planned for the site.