As Wales prepares to mark the 60
th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Rhondda Heritage Park Museum has launched a series of local remembrance events for all to attend.
Those who wish to reflect and remember on October 21 are invited to visit the Trehafod museum for open access and organised activities and events, all free of charge.
Cllr Ann Crimmings, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “Rhondda Cynon Taf Council stands in remembrance and solidarity with its communities as Wales marks the 60th anniversary of Aberfan.
“Our thoughts remain with the 116 children and 28 adults who died on October 21, 1966 and those who continue to be affected to this day. We will never forget.
“Rhondda Heritage Park Museum is built in the footprint of the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery, in a former industrial heartland. Our communities are closely bonded with the community of Aberfan. We want to offer a place for reflection and remembrance locally, to run alongside the wider Wales-wide remembrance events.
“We are grateful to all the partner organisations and individuals who have created poignant, important ways in which our communities can remember in the days leading up to, and following, October 21.
“It is important we not only reflect and remember, but also continue to capture memories and share stories, creating a legacy for future generations who, as the years pass, will be the ones upholding our promise to never forget the lives lost in Aberfan."
All events are free to attend and include:
Recollections of Life Magazine Photographer I.C Rapoport
See the bea![]()
utiful 21.10.1966 144 9.13AM memorial sculpture
The Silent Volunteer
A Tree of Remembrance and Hope
Explore the digital and interactive exhibition space
Recollections of Life Magazine Photographer I.C. Rapoport on the Aberfan Tragedy
Tuesday, October 20th 2pm: A film screening and questions and answer session with Suzanne Grover, who grew up in Aberfan and was an A Level student and member of the Merthyr Civil Defence at the time of the tragedy.
On October 21, 1966, she, like all other pupils in Aberfan, was sent home from school early as the unimaginable tragedy unfolded so she reported for Civil Defence duty at her former school – Pantglas Infant and Juniors – to assist in the response. What she witnessed that day will never be forgotten.
Suzanne, a retired headteacher, went on to lead and deliver projects relating to Aberfan, including the 2016 IC Rapoport Commemorative Event that marked Aberfan’s 50th anniversary.
IC “Chuck” Rapoport was a young American photojournalist who was on assignment in Aberfan with LIFE magazine on October 21, 1966. He stayed in the village for six weeks and his photographs of surviving children, families and the community, as they struggled to come to terms with this dreadful disaster, were brought to international attention in a photo essay in LIFE magazine in 1967. The 111 original photos are a remarkable record of life in Aberfan following the disaster and an historical record of life in the South Wales valleys.
Suzanne worked with Chuck Rapoport to produce the film Sorrow and Stirring Of A New Life which contains previously unseen images, chosen to provide new and different ways to reflect and remember. It reaches out to different audiences and generations, so they, too, can explore their heritage, discover the impact of such a tragedy, experience the community resilience in the wake of the disaster and continue legacy and remembrance.
Sorrow and Stirring Of A New Life will be screened at Rhondda Heritage Park Museum in the presence of Suzanne, who will then take questions and answers.
To avoid disappointment, please ring the museum on 01443 682036 to reserve your free place.
See the beautiful 21.10.1966 144 9.13AM memorial sculpture
The sculpture stands in Rhondda Heritage Park Museum as a permanent memorial to the lives lost on October 21, 1966. The sculpture contains 144 clocks, one for each of the lives of the adults and children who died in the tragedy. Each of the clocks is set to 9.13am, the exact time the disaster began.
It was created by the phenomenal Welsh sculptor Nathan Wyburn, who grew up near Aberfan and is based on a photograph of former coal miner Johnny Thomas, as he made his way to the disaster site, one of the first on scene.
Visit Rhondda Heritage Park Museum during opening hours to see the sculpture.
The Silent Volunteer
Share your memories or reflections and see a poignant, moving play from the descendants of the Aberfan responders in Avant Cymru’s The Silent Volunteer project.
As part of the project, a commemorative post box has been placed at Rhondda Heritage Park Museum, so people can share memories, reflections and messages of remembrance. All contributions posted will be preserved until the Centenary commemorations in 2066, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.
You can visit and post your memories at any time during opening hours.
See the Silent Volunteer, a play featuring the descendants of those who went to help on that awful day who poignantly remember, but also open up a conversation about how history continues to shape mining communities to this day.
See the play at Tylorstown Welfare Hall on October 21 at either 1pm or 7.30pm, St Elvan’s Church, Aberdare on October 22 at 7.30pm or at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff at 10am on October 20.
A Tree of Remembrance and Hope
We invite you to help this tree grow. Choose a leaf and add your own message of kindness. You could write a few words, draw a picture, or use one of these ideas to get started:
- Write a kind message for the children and families of Aberfan.
- Draw something that makes you think of hope, care or friendship.
- Share a wish for a kinder future.
- Add your leaf to the tree and watch it grow with everyone else’s messages.
Every leaf helps the tree become fuller and brighter. Together, the leaves show that small acts of kindness can grow into something meaningful, helping us remember Aberfan with care, respect and hope.
Visit Rhondda Heritage Park Museum during opening hours to share your message on the Tree of Hope
Digital, interactive exhibition and courtyard with mining memorabilia showcasing life in the South Wales Mining Communities.
Experience the digital, interactive and historical items on display in the exhibition space at Rhondda Heritage Park, including items and records relating to Aberfan and the period that followed. Historical photographs, videos and artefacts give visitors the chance to experience what life was like in the South Wales coal mining communities and to see how the indomitable community spirit which saw Aberfan villages through the darkest aftermath of the tragedy was developed.
Visit Rhondda Heritage Park Museum during opening hours to see the exhibitions and historical mining artefacts in the courtyard.
Rhondda Heritage Park Museum is open from 9am – 4.30pm, Tuesday-Saturday. The exhibition, Silent Volunteer Postbox and 21.10.1966 144 9.13AM sculpture can be seen any time during opening hours.
Posted on 12/10/2026