Thought For The Day – Thursday 22nd October 2026
Remembering The Aberfan Community
It was their last day before their half term, on the 21st of October 1966, 60 years ago yesterday.
The children, the staff, and the parents, would have been, no doubt, looking forward to their day at school, and their holiday to come.
But, for so many, it would be their final few hours of their life in this world.
For many more, life would never be the same again.
On the 21st of October 1966, young students, children, had just sat down to lessons at Pantglas Junior School in Aberfan, in the county of Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
Just after 9:00 a.m., a colliery spoil tip, a coal waste heap, above this small mining community, collapsed.
This caused a landslide.
150,000 tonnes of slurry came down the mountain, towards the little village and school.
Pantglas Junior School, and the homes nearby, were engulfed.
Clocks, one of which is pictured above, were frozen in time.
144 people were killed
This included 116 children.
Portraits of some of these children are pictured above.
A community, a country and nation, devastated.
A generation lost.
A generation never forgotten.
Nansi Williams was a dinner lady at the school that day. Nansi crouched over five children, protecting them.
Nansi lost her life, but she saved the life of those five children, one of which, Paul, who is now 66, said yesterday: “She gave everything to give us a future, and she lost everything.”
In a symbolic photograph from the time, reproduced above from “Getty Images”, Mel Parry, then 18, and working for the local newspaper, pictured P.C. Victor Jones carrying an eight-year-old Susan Maybank through the crowds to safety.
Yesterday, as it does every year, the Community of Aberfan, and the country of Wales, and the United Kingdom and World generally, remembered.
The Aberfan Community, and beyond, remembered those who: were killed; bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, neighbours; saved others and helped and supported at the time.
Many of those have since passed away from this life.
Many still remain with us on this earth.
All inspire.
For their trauma is beyond words.
It is vital to remember, to never forget, to honour people’s memory, to support one another.
To be constantly and profoundly guided, and inspired, by Angels loved.
And, as reflected upon yesterday, for all in power to learn any wider environmental lessons too.
Not for the first, or last time, it was left to the families of the victims and survivors to seek Justice.
Today, Aberfan is an inspirational example beyond words of resilience and beautiful community spirit.
Their Brightest Light inspires.
Of all that is good in this world.
On the 60th anniversary of the disaster yesterday, dignitaries and visitors showed the gravity of the tragedy, and the grace of the Aberfan Community. Yesterday, the Aberfan Community were joined by King Charles III, The Queen, The Prince of Wales, and The Princess of Wales.
They showed solidarity, being with the Aberfan Community on the anniversary of the tragedy.
Though, of course, every day is, and has been, for so very many, the most massive challenge.
The King met Marilyn Brown, pictured below, one of the few surviving parents of children who died in the Aberfan disaster.
Beneath Marilyn’s smile below is the most traumatic of lives. Marilyn was 32 when her eldest child, Janette, was killed at Pantglas Junior School. Her son, who was also in the school, was saved by a teacher.
Marilyn met the Prime Minister on the Prime Minister’s visit to Aberfan on the 20th of October 2026.
Marilyn said: “It is still there. It’ll never go away, and I hope people will remember, and they have today”.
The love, suffering, support, and resilience of Marilyn symbolises The Aberfan Community.
As do other generations young, as well as old.
The Prince of Wales visited Ynysowen Community Primary School, in Aberfan, where students and staff wonderfully and inspirationally carry on the legacy of Pantglas Junior School. The Prince of Wales unveiled a special memorial to those who suffered because of the Aberfan Disaster at the School.
Past. Present. Future.
In London, having returned from Aberfan, The Prime Minister paid his further respects to the Aberfan Community in the House of Commons yesterday.
