How time flies

[Bobsbeer]

I just watched the program on BBC1 about the Aberfan disaster.  I remember it happening, and was 10 at the time.  I remember seeing the news at the time and reading the papers.  Only now have I seen the true scale of the destruction and the consequences.  I remember seeing pictures on TV and in the papers, and the reports on how many died, but it was seeing the aerial view of the town can you comprehend the true scale of the event.  Probably being 10 at the time it had some resonance as the majority of those killed were my age.  Not much has changed in my view regarding the way politicians try to hide the truth and squirm out of their responsibility.  50 years have gone by, but can we really say that it could not happen again?  Such a sad loss.  For those who didn't see it or don't remember it, I urge you to watch it on iPlayer.  1966 was a year of both ups and downs.  We won the World Cup and a few days later 116 children and 28 adults were killed.

[Postmodern Smoking]

Missed that, or not on our regional BBC1 (as well as being before I was born). But after a quick Google, looks like a horrendous incident with huge loss.
..... Collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, on 21 October 1966, which killed 116 children and 28 adults

[Bobsbeer]

I wonder how many people think of 1966 with Aberfan? I remember it, but if someone said 1966 I would have said World Cup. What does that say about society, or maybe me?

[Bob]

I was approaching 15 at the time living in North Wales, and it was all over the News at the time. I remember thinking how devastating it was at the time, a collection was made in our school later on for any of the survivors.

[Raffles]

Bobsbeer, It was shortly after this disaster, when my best mate at the time and myself, hired a campervan to tour the UK. We set off from Somerset and went north through Wales and circled the country, not really bothering where we were going, just for the adventure.

It was only the first night when we'd had enough driving for the day, found a layby in the dark, not knowing where we were, parked up and settled for the night. Got up in the morning and got out of the van to stretch our legs, and in the daylight, we saw the sight below us and realised where we were. Horrific, and God bless all the victims and their families, whom I imagine have never recovered.

[Perpetua]

It's one of those terrible events that I also remember clearly Bob . . . . of a similar age to you at the time, we were in our school playground on morning break when a teacher came out to announce the news. I remember the shock we all felt and my parents talking about it for weeks after.

All those lives lost and devastated in a moment . . . . . and those responsible, have never truly been made accountable.

[thebishman]

Im probably going to embarass myself now..but i dont know what this was? Im 32 so assuming thats why?

[Perpetua]

Oct 19, 2016 20:46:10 GMT thebishman said:

Im probably going to embarass myself now..but i dont know what this was? Im 32 so assuming thats why?

Yes indeed Bish . . . . long before you were born, it was a national disaster that despite the appalling nature and tragedy of it hasn't really had the focus it ought to have had.

[thebishman]

Ill google it as ive never even heard of it!

[Perpetua]

A very moving, incredibly sad watch . . . . .

[Chrissie]

I was also 10 when it happened & remember it so well.

[Bobsbeer]

Aberfan is a name that anyone around at that time would readily remember. I must admit until I saw the program I could not have said when it happened with any accuracy. I could have said what had happened, as the enormity of the event was truly staggering, and as we all now know, entirely a man made, and foreseeable disaster.

[chykensa]

I was six years old at the time, and like many others, watched the tragedy unfold on the BBC news. So very sad, and even 50 years on I remember the grainy black and white images we were shown then.
Many of the schoolchildren who lost their lives were the same age as me, and it had a profound effect on me at the time, and every time I hear the name Aberfan now.

I can't imagine the pain and loss that the townsfolk of Aberfan are still feeling even now, and God forbid that a disaster like that ever strikes again.

[snow]

Its not something I will ever forget for many reasons I was 4 at the time born and brought up 25 miles from there and my father was a serving Police Officer who got called in to help as did many of his colleagues and lots of people from our town were involved in helping in the aftermath. The main A470 road runs along the side of the valley and anyone driving to/from Cardiff from mid Wales will pass the cemetery & memorial which is clearly visible down below, row after row of pure white headstones. The scar on the landscape left by the slide is also still visible, its all grassed over now but its unmistakable. I pass through Aberfan several times a year I've never passed through without a lump in my throat even as a child. I know several people who were there on the day and the days that followed helping to look for the children and recovering the bodies, most will never speak of it, except to say it was a terrible tragedy, I know my own father was affected by it for the rest of his life. Like many people in South Wales Aberfan feels "personal" to me and I mark it every year. 

[jtc]

Such a sad thing to read this is