A Memorial Service to commemorate the 132nd anniversary of the Albion Colliery Disaster in which 290 men and boys were killed was held at the War Memorial, Cilfynydd.

Opening the Service, which was held by the Albion Colliery Disaster Memorial Group, Plaid Cymru councillor, and the Group’s chairman, Hywel Gronow, spoke of the heartbreak and loss to the village following the Disaster.

He said: “It took great strength of character by those left behind to go on to build successful lives and raise families.

“The village owes its very presence to coal mining and we are here today to commemorate the loss of some of our own.”

David Crudge of Cilfynydd’s Beulah Baptist Church then shared heartfelt words about the village’s history which was built on coal mining.

He spoke about the lives lost and the effect this would have on the village’s history with many, many households losing a breadwinner and also the resilience of families and their determination to improve their future.

He said: “They went into the darkness every day so that our lights would shine in the future.”

The gathering, which included Vicki Howells MS, Lis McLean MS and MP Alex Davies-Jones, were then treated to a very meaningful and stunning acapella version of the song “Close the Coalhouse Door” sung by Albion Colliery Memorial Group Vice Chairman Mike Jones.

David Crudge then said a prayer of thanks which was followed by a two minute silence to honour those who died in the disaster and a wreath laying ceremony.

The Service gave those present a pause for reflection as they overlooked the former colliery site, on which Ysgol Bro Taf now stands. It seems rather fitting that there is a lasting connection between the men who toiled in the colliery and the youth of today.

Pictured above are: Albion Colliery Memorial Group members with special guests.

The wreaths laid at the Albion Colliery Memorial Dram.