Aberfan holds a deeply poignant place in the heart of South Wales. Today, the roads and villages surrounding it are cloaked in the serene beauty of green hills. As we ride home from Brecon or the Owl’s Nest, we pass by and reflect. It’s hard to imagine that in the 1960s and 70s, this now-peaceful landscape was dominated by black slag heaps and an unforgiving industrial presence. Yet, even amidst this transformation, the memory of Aberfan endures. The tragedy remains etched in our collective soul-a sorrow that cannot be forgotten, and a testament to the lives lost and the resilience of those who carried on.
Thank you Richie for the very sensitive way you remembered the Aberfan Disaster. My partners first family were so lucky to be pulled out alive. He sat here with tears running down his face. Here in Wales it is remembered in school and every year ❤❤❤
53 yo and I grew up in England and knew about Aberfan from a young age, amazes me people don’t. Now live 20 mins from Aberfan and pop there on my bike every couple of years to sit in the remembrance garden to think about those poor lives lost and generations who still suffer to this day. Pure greed and the worst of politics and then the government kept the money raised! Our poor Queen made her only mistake in waiting over a week before attending. She made up for this and visited multiple times over the years, it was well known that it affected her more deeply than any other event in her long reign. Bless her.
I eas a kid (about 8) and remember the disaster well. It shocked the whole of the UK to the core. Brilliant that a new generation bring it back to peoples minds. Well done sir
I remember the Aberfan disaster as if it happened yesterday. I was 10 years old, living in Ullapool, which is now on the NC500 route, and I recall how emotionally difficult it was for everyone in our village. Kids, teachers, and the whole community. Ullapool reflected the whole of the UK in being shocked and deeply saddened. Tragic event.
Same here I was a young boy watching the news with my late dad, hearing that a spoil heap had slipped down into the village and buried the school and killing all those poor children and teachers very sad
I had a lady who used to work from me in Merthyr Tiddfil many years ago who was a survivor, unfortunately her brother did not make it. She campaigned for years for compensation and recognition from NCB. You just can’t imagine the devastation it left for all those families. She told me she continued to have flashbacks and nightmares 😢
Was 9 years old and at school here in Northern Ireland when the headmaster came in and told us something awful had happened at a school in Aberfan Wales. Didn't realise the extent or the appalling toll or the horror until I got home. Every time I hear or see the name "Aberfan" I'm still taken back to thoughts of 1966. RIP
Just had a few tears watching your tribute. It reminded me of my dad, he used to tell me of when he was lorry driving in the area and was one of the people helping to rescue the children. It brought back memories of my dad and why I looked up to him so much. Thank you ❤️
I was eleven at school when that happened and I remember we had a special assembly at midday where prayers were said for that community. That evening seeing it on the news left an impression on me that I’ll never forget. So very sad.
Aberfan was the first news story I was aware of, had a big impact on me as I was the same age (7) as the kids involved. Enjoyed this little mini adventure, loads of the roads I spend much of my motorcycling.
My father, god rest his soul, helped after the event, he was born in Penrhiwceiber, Woodfield Terrace and would have been around 18/19 at the time. When it happened the men from that side of the valley went up and over the mountain over to the school. He never mentioned it much but when I was older I knew it had left a deep profound impression on him, it kept him awake sometimes at night. He passed away back in Febuary, I miss you Dad.
I remember the Aberfan disaster very well. I was 14 at the time. A year later was the Stockport air disaster. There is a memorial near the town centre (near Lower Hillgate) to the 72 that died.
Some lovely biking roads in Wales and I am glad they're right on my doorstep. Fair play for mentioning the Aberfan disaster, had gone through the area a while back and it had dawned on me just how serious a disaster it was at the time now I wasn't around back then so only know of it from what I had learned growing up though I felt for the people and families who had lost loved ones or their homes when it happened but then it had made me think, it happened on my mothers birthday and she'd of only been 3 at the time. My father remembers it well enough and his own grandfather had mined in the area for years but aye, need to get myself out more on the bike now next year :D
Aberfan, such a sad disaster, many generations lost.. Its only up the road from me, yet ive never visited, i dont think i got the heart to ! RIP to all those that lost their lives.
@@RichyVida The site of the school is now a memorial garden. All of the victims are buried in a cemetery close by. Having visited both it is heart wrenching.
The Aberfan disaster is my strongest early childhood memory. It happened when I was 7, saw it on the teatime news. A terrible thing and memory that will be there forever. A complete disregard for the poor working class.
An absolute credit to you Rich for the sensitivity shown to the Aberfan tragedy. Very very classy. Nothing less than I would expect from you mate❤️ Thank you👍
Thanks Richy for the education regards Aberfan. It's horrific to think of even now. Britain in general has had a hard history. My condolences to any remaining relatives of the deceased. ❤️
21st October 1966 - I was nigh on 25 years old and in my 7th year out of what followed was a 35 years service in the Armed Forces of the UK. I remember Aberfan well. Being Welsh born, bred and educated, it was painful and heartbreaking to see such suffering and loss of life. 144 (28 adults and 116 children) lost their lives. To this day, it haunts many families. R.I.P. ✝️🙏💐
I’m not surprised you didn’t know of it Richy, I was born in 70, my mum told me about it when I was a child so I’ve always been aware of it. A few years ago there was a documentary film about it but other than that I don’t recall ever seeing much about that terrible day. I cannot imagine the impact of a tragedy like that on a community and country.
My daughters didn't even learn about Aberfan in school. In sw Wales. I was disgusted and taught them the history. I have a friend lives in the village and I can't pass the cemetery entrance without thinking about it. Sadly Merthyr have seen a landslip this winter very much the coal tip cause. On the up. Wishing you a merry Christmas.
I live about 25 mins away. Only been once. Too sad for me. Still waiting on doing my bike licence with my son so I can drive all the roads I do in the van. Great content Richy. Try the Rhigos and Bwlch mountains too. Great roads. Theyve recently done Wattstown tip And are doing Tylorstown near me. They knew for years but didn't care. Bikers use them a lot but the bad ones who like to wreck places.
Grew up in South Wales and was very aware of this. Just like now, no one was held accountable, Inquiry was a waste of time, all brushed away under the carpet. Tragic loss that need not have happened.
@@RichyVida Nah Richy, that’s just hollow politician Weasley words, it took years for any compensation to eventually be given and it was miserly. Bit like….let me think…the infected bloods scandal, the Post Office scandal, Dr David Kelly suss death, Iraq weapons of mass destruction BS, Grenfell Tower combustible cladding saga and all the rest. There’s some decent documentaries online and they cover the whitewash, sorry Inquiry.
It took Lord Robens, the chair of the National Coal Board (NCB), 36 hours to reach Aberfan. On hearing of the disaster he chose to stay in Guildford where he was being installed as chancellor of the University of Surrey.
Aberfan is a very moving place. The site was f the school is now a memorial garden, if you visit the graves of the children and adults who died in the disaster, they’re on a hill overlooking the village made a White Marble. I visited twice when in the area, and both times I’ve left in floods of tears. If you’re in the area, I would recommend visiting. When you get home, you’ll hug your own children, just that little bit tighter! 😢
2:30 Ah, Dolgellau! Mate, you zipped right past MotoCamp Wales without stopping. If you don't know it, that's a lovely place to bunk next time. Stayed there last June. Climbed Mount Snowdon via Crib Goch and Cader Idris the day after. Nice change from all the riding ;-)
I remember Aberfan, my aunt, came into our house from her house two doors down braking her heart, Both her and my father attended that school, before leaving Wales because their fathers work,
A truly awful disaster that touched the whole nation. I was 6 at the time and remember the news programmes on television vividly to this day. Pit hills were a commonplace and menacing sight in those days; gone now most of them thank God, (you may remember the one on Sleetmoor Lane). Those poor children and parents.
@@RichyVidaThe slag heap was on the left hand side on the first part of the lane before the Somercotes village sign. This was 1960’s. My family were all miners in that area (Somercotes, Brindsley, Riddings), at some point.
Can't believe you guys didn't know about Aberfan. We did a whole term in senior school learning about the disaster, back in the mid 90's. I assumed it was part of the national curriculum. Any fans of the TV series, The Crown would know about too. The royals, especially the Queen were an absolute disgrace.
Unfair to criticise Richy for being unaware of Aberfan disaster as it was before he was born. How many people are aware of the Senghenydd mining disaster in 1913 in which 439 miners lost their lives or the Lynton and Lynmouth flood in 1953. The passage of time dims the memory. I think you may enjoy taking a ride through Monmouthshire to Abergavenny and along the heads of the valley road. Many spoil heaps survive to this day but grass has grown over them.
I’m glad that you did the research on this. Such a tragic event that claimed the lives of 116 young innocent children. Searching for fuel….. ‘please dismount the bike`😂😂
I dont think there were many in the U.K that did not watch the 66 World cup. The roads were empty. There were not many TV's in pubs back then so everybody was home watching the game on their rented Granada TV.
Seriously!? Everyone knows about Aberfan, surely? Strangely - it was on the 5th anniversary of Aberfan , that the Clarkston Disaster occured- Mostly mothers who were the victims - so largely forgotten. Even becoming known as "Scotland's forgotten disaster".
It was 1966, not the 90s, and yes, a large number of children were killed -- 116 to be precise, as well as 28 adults. People have said in the past that if you visit the village, you will notice whole age groups missing from the population; they were mostly between 7 and 10 then, so they will be people in their mid to late 60s now.
Aberfan holds a deeply poignant place in the heart of South Wales. Today, the roads and villages surrounding it are cloaked in the serene beauty of green hills. As we ride home from Brecon or the Owl’s Nest, we pass by and reflect. It’s hard to imagine that in the 1960s and 70s, this now-peaceful landscape was dominated by black slag heaps and an unforgiving industrial presence. Yet, even amidst this transformation, the memory of Aberfan endures. The tragedy remains etched in our collective soul-a sorrow that cannot be forgotten, and a testament to the lives lost and the resilience of those who carried on.
Beautifully written. Thank you 🙏
Thank you Richie for the very sensitive way you remembered the Aberfan Disaster. My partners first family were so lucky to be pulled out alive. He sat here with tears running down his face. Here in Wales it is remembered in school and every year ❤❤❤
Oh I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry if it brought back painful memories for him. 😔
53 yo and I grew up in England and knew about Aberfan from a young age, amazes me people don’t.
Now live 20 mins from Aberfan and pop there on my bike every couple of years to sit in the remembrance garden to think about those poor lives lost and generations who still suffer to this day.
Pure greed and the worst of politics and then the government kept the money raised! Our poor Queen made her only mistake in waiting over a week before attending. She made up for this and visited multiple times over the years, it was well known that it affected her more deeply than any other event in her long reign. Bless her.
I eas a kid (about 8) and remember the disaster well. It shocked the whole of the UK to the core. Brilliant that a new generation bring it back to peoples minds. Well done sir
I’m sorry I never knew about it 😔
I remember the Aberfan disaster as if it happened yesterday. I was 10 years old, living in Ullapool, which is now on the NC500 route, and I recall how emotionally difficult it was for everyone in our village. Kids, teachers, and the whole community. Ullapool reflected the whole of the UK in being shocked and deeply saddened. Tragic event.
Same here I was a young boy watching the news with my late dad, hearing that a spoil heap had slipped down into the village and buried the school and killing all those poor children and teachers very sad
I remember coming home from junior school that afternoon and my mum was crying. So sad, and still remembered in Wales
I had a lady who used to work from me in Merthyr Tiddfil many years ago who was a survivor, unfortunately her brother did not make it. She campaigned for years for compensation and recognition from NCB. You just can’t imagine the devastation it left for all those families. She told me she continued to have flashbacks and nightmares 😢
That’s terrible 😔
Was 9 years old and at school here in Northern Ireland when the headmaster came in and told us something awful had happened at a school in Aberfan Wales.
Didn't realise the extent or the appalling toll or the horror until I got home.
Every time I hear or see the name "Aberfan" I'm still taken back to thoughts of 1966.
RIP
😔
Just had a few tears watching your tribute. It reminded me of my dad, he used to tell me of when he was lorry driving in the area and was one of the people helping to rescue the children. It brought back memories of my dad and why I looked up to him so much. Thank you ❤️
I was eleven at school when that happened and I remember we had a special assembly at midday where prayers were said for that community. That evening seeing it on the news left an impression on me that I’ll never forget. So very sad.
I was just 10 years old, but I still remember the Aberfan disaster; a truly tragic and sad event and one that could have been avoided.
Aberfan was the first news story I was aware of, had a big impact on me as I was the same age (7) as the kids involved.
Enjoyed this little mini adventure, loads of the roads I spend much of my motorcycling.
My father, god rest his soul, helped after the event, he was born in Penrhiwceiber, Woodfield Terrace and would have been around 18/19 at the time. When it happened the men from that side of the valley went up and over the mountain over to the school. He never mentioned it much but when I was older I knew it had left a deep profound impression on him, it kept him awake sometimes at night. He passed away back in Febuary, I miss you Dad.
Sorry for your loss, mate. I’m sure he took a lot with him. 🙌😔
@@RichyVida Thankyou Richy, 🙏 All the best to you and yours for the New Year. 🏍 👌
Even after all the training causes accidents that I’ve seen even though this one is before my time it’s still upsetting
Old enough to remember Aberfan being reported, shocked and saddened the whole country 😢
I remember the Aberfan disaster very well. I was 14 at the time. A year later was the Stockport air disaster. There is a memorial near the town centre (near Lower Hillgate) to the 72 that died.
Some lovely biking roads in Wales and I am glad they're right on my doorstep.
Fair play for mentioning the Aberfan disaster, had gone through the area a while back and it had dawned on me just how serious a disaster it was at the time now I wasn't around back then so only know of it from what I had learned growing up though I felt for the people and families who had lost loved ones or their homes when it happened but then it had made me think, it happened on my mothers birthday and she'd of only been 3 at the time. My father remembers it well enough and his own grandfather had mined in the area for years but aye, need to get myself out more on the bike now next year :D
My father as a young press photographer for the SUN newspaper covered this disaster. I remember him telling me over the years about this tragedy.
calling the S*n a newspaper is like calling arsenic a seasoning.
Oh mate 😔
Aberfan, such a sad disaster, many generations lost..
Its only up the road from me, yet ive never visited, i dont think i got the heart to !
RIP to all those that lost their lives.
I think I’ll be paying it a visit as soon as I can. Gutted to learn about this and sorry I didn’t know about it.
@@RichyVida The site of the school is now a memorial garden. All of the victims are buried in a cemetery close by. Having visited both it is heart wrenching.
The Aberfan disaster is my strongest early childhood memory. It happened when I was 7, saw it on the teatime news. A terrible thing and memory that will be there forever. A complete disregard for the poor working class.
Yes, I’m looking well into this. The more I read, the more horrified and disgusted I am.
Nicely done and well done on 50K!
Thank you very much!
An absolute credit to you Rich for the sensitivity shown to the Aberfan tragedy. Very very classy. Nothing less than I would expect from you mate❤️ Thank you👍
I’m shocked, Dave.
Sorry I never knew 😔
@ was horrific what happened. Nobody at the NCB was ever charged.
That’s disgusting
Yes I remember saying prayers for the lost children at school assembly. Sad.
Thanks Richy for the education regards Aberfan.
It's horrific to think of even now.
Britain in general has had a hard history.
My condolences to any remaining relatives of the deceased. ❤️
21st October 1966 - I was nigh on 25 years old and in my 7th year out of what followed was a 35 years service in the Armed Forces of the UK. I remember Aberfan well. Being Welsh born, bred and educated, it was painful and heartbreaking to see such suffering and loss of life. 144 (28 adults and 116 children) lost their lives. To this day, it haunts many families. R.I.P. ✝️🙏💐
It is such a sad tragedy, gets me everytime I even just hear the name of the town, how does a town recover from such loss of it's young? x
💔
I’m not surprised you didn’t know of it Richy, I was born in 70, my mum told me about it when I was a child so I’ve always been aware of it. A few years ago there was a documentary film about it but other than that I don’t recall ever seeing much about that terrible day.
I cannot imagine the impact of a tragedy like that on a community and country.
I was born in the 80's and we learned about it in senior school, Teesside, history or English. I had thought it was part of the national curriculum.
Aberfan is a very emotional place to visit. Many of the victims were my generation
I will make it my mission to visit and pay my respects as soon as I can.
My daughters didn't even learn about Aberfan in school. In sw Wales. I was disgusted and taught them the history. I have a friend lives in the village and I can't pass the cemetery entrance without thinking about it.
Sadly Merthyr have seen a landslip this winter very much the coal tip cause.
On the up. Wishing you a merry Christmas.
Wow that’s crazy. Why wouldn’t they teach them all about it?! Being so close, too.
really nice and informative video thanks.
I live about 25 mins away. Only been once. Too sad for me. Still waiting on doing my bike licence with my son so I can drive all the roads I do in the van. Great content Richy. Try the Rhigos and Bwlch mountains too. Great roads.
Theyve recently done Wattstown tip And are doing Tylorstown near me. They knew for years but didn't care. Bikers use them a lot but the bad ones who like to wreck places.
Remember it well I was 9 at the time. It really must have been the first news story that shocked me, there has been plenty more since.
Beautiful ❤ love seeing the roads I know and love from your perspectives merry Christmas to you all 🙏
Grew up in South Wales and was very aware of this. Just like now, no one was held accountable, Inquiry was a waste of time, all brushed away under the carpet. Tragic loss that need not have happened.
Yeah, it's always the same.
It says the NCB were held to full account?
@@RichyVida Nah Richy, that’s just hollow politician Weasley words, it took years for any compensation to eventually be given and it was miserly. Bit like….let me think…the infected bloods scandal, the Post Office scandal, Dr David Kelly suss death, Iraq weapons of mass destruction BS, Grenfell Tower combustible cladding saga and all the rest. There’s some decent documentaries online and they cover the whitewash, sorry Inquiry.
Oh no. This is disgraceful. How could they never be held for this?!
It took Lord Robens, the chair of the National Coal Board (NCB), 36 hours to reach Aberfan. On hearing of the disaster he chose to stay in Guildford where he was being installed as chancellor of the University of Surrey.
😡😡😡
I was a young kid in a coal mining family. I remember it sadly.
Aberfan is a very moving place. The site was f the school is now a memorial garden, if you visit the graves of the children and adults who died in the disaster, they’re on a hill overlooking the village made a White Marble. I visited twice when in the area, and both times I’ve left in floods of tears. If you’re in the area, I would recommend visiting.
When you get home, you’ll hug your own children, just that little bit tighter! 😢
Oh I’ll make it my mission to head down there just to pay my respects. 😔
Gill's great uncle Dai was the assistant head teacher at Aberfan and died in the disaster. They found him under a desk with kids underneath him. 😢
Oh no? I’m sorry to hear this. Terrible 😔
@RichyVida cheers pal, such a waste of life. I never met him obviously but by all accounts he was a lovely bloke.
2:30 Ah, Dolgellau! Mate, you zipped right past MotoCamp Wales without stopping. If you don't know it, that's a lovely place to bunk next time. Stayed there last June. Climbed Mount Snowdon via Crib Goch and Cader Idris the day after. Nice change from all the riding ;-)
Thanks for the info! Will remember it! Cheers
I remember Aberfan, my aunt, came into our house from her house two doors down braking her heart,
Both her and my father attended that school, before leaving Wales because their fathers work,
😔
A truly awful disaster that touched the whole nation. I was 6 at the time and remember the news programmes on television vividly to this day. Pit hills were a commonplace and menacing sight in those days; gone now most of them thank God, (you may remember the one on Sleetmoor Lane). Those poor children and parents.
Sadly not. But I will most definitely look into it. 😔
@@RichyVidaThe slag heap was on the left hand side on the first part of the lane before the Somercotes village sign. This was 1960’s. My family were all miners in that area (Somercotes, Brindsley, Riddings), at some point.
Can't believe you guys didn't know about Aberfan. We did a whole term in senior school learning about the disaster, back in the mid 90's. I assumed it was part of the national curriculum.
Any fans of the TV series, The Crown would know about too. The royals, especially the Queen were an absolute disgrace.
That just shows you; we aren’t/weren’t taught about it! When we absolutely should be!
Great couple of days mukka
Unfair to criticise Richy for being unaware of Aberfan disaster as it was before he was born. How many people are aware of the Senghenydd mining disaster in 1913 in which 439 miners lost their lives or the Lynton and Lynmouth flood in 1953. The passage of time dims the memory. I think you may enjoy taking a ride through Monmouthshire to Abergavenny and along the heads of the valley road. Many spoil heaps survive to this day but grass has grown over them.
It was covered in an episode of the crown. Really hard to watch !
I’ve never seen that, so maybe put on my TV list now Yellowstone is complete.
It’s excellent, especially the early seasons. Turns out Prince Phillip was a cool dude.
I’m glad that you did the research on this. Such a tragic event that claimed the lives of 116 young innocent children.
Searching for fuel….. ‘please dismount the bike`😂😂
Rich, what horn is that on Big Lad?
Denali SoundBomb 📣🙉
@ I take it that’s not the ‘mini’ version?
Nope 👍
Lived in Merthyr at the time I was 13 and had played football against some of the children
What a terrible tragedy this was. I will be visiting.
Very good friends of my parents lost their eight year old son. Michael in the disaster.
Horrible. I will visit, for sure.
Diolch Richy.
Blimey, showing my age now but I remember this when I was a kid of 10 years old. Also the year England won their first and only World Cup in England.
I dont think there were many in the U.K that did not watch the 66 World cup. The roads were empty. There were not many TV's in pubs back then so everybody was home watching the game on their rented Granada TV.
❤❤❤❤
Seriously!? Everyone knows about Aberfan, surely? Strangely - it was on the 5th anniversary of Aberfan , that the Clarkston Disaster occured- Mostly mothers who were the victims - so largely forgotten. Even becoming known as "Scotland's forgotten disaster".
I never even heard of it if I am honest
I thought it would be something about Tom Jones.
Is the Tash any bigger
Massive by the time we left, Dave!
@ 😂😂😂😂must have been theGuinness
He’s probably had to shave twice since he woke up
Haha since his “man juice” ha
Where’s pilts
It was 1966, not the 90s, and yes, a large number of children were killed -- 116 to be precise, as well as 28 adults. People have said in the past that if you visit the village, you will notice whole age groups missing from the population; they were mostly between 7 and 10 then, so they will be people in their mid to late 60s now.
Dude, watch the whole video. 4:52 onwards.
Thank you 👍
Nicely done piece on Aberfan, thank you
😔