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Jane Ray's avatar

I think everyone of this generation - I was 6 - remembers the horror of Aberfan.

This was such a poignant episode in your writing journey Gillian - and I'm so glad you got the job (though I'm worrying about you in that bedsit...)

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Gillian Richmond's avatar

Thank you Jane. The awful thing about Aberfan is that the coal board knew the top was unsteady- but people kept moving responsibility onto someone else’s desk. Terrible.

Yep. The bedsit was a bit bleak!

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Wendy Varley's avatar

Glad you got the job, Gillian!

I remember the Aberfan disaster. My parents were glued to the news, too. (I was 5 at the time and we lived in a mining community.)

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Gillian Richmond's avatar

The story of how it came to happen is a terrible one. The authorities knew for some time that the heap was unstable, but people kept passing the buck.

Your parents must have hugged you very close that night.

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Wendy Varley's avatar

Yes, an absolutely avoidable tragedy, Gillian. My brother was junior school age, so yes, I think my parents felt deeply affected and so sorry for all those grieving families.

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