Aberfan. A visit to pay my respects on the 03.07.2018. Aberfan disaster. South Wales. 21st Oct 1966.

For many years I've wanted to visit Aberfan to pay my respects to the Children and Adults that lost their lives here on the 21st October 1966, and also to reflect and try to understand what their families went through during, and after this terrible disaster. R.I.P. to them all.
If you like what I do and would like to support my channel, you can if you wish, make a donation by clicking on the link below.
www.paypal.me/DavidGarsidevideos
Thank you.

[@joycelemvillafuerte4544]

I’m here because of The Crown. Respects to the Lost Generation of Aberfan.

[@DavidGarside]

Yes, a very sad event that happened when I was a child of similar age! Thank you for your comment, much appreciated.

[@marklyons3003]

I was 13 at the time of this devastating disaster sat in a classroom myself just across the Bristol Channel in Portishead ... Same as you Joyce, I was watching "The Crown" late last night here in New Zealand and was moved to start searching KZbin for documentaries of Aberfan. I'm back this morning doing the same. My memory is failing but I don't think that I could have grasped the enormity of this event at the time. My heart is heavy as led right now however and I do sincerely sympathise with the mothers, fathers, siblings etc. of those who died that tragic sorry day. I can't begin to image the pain and sorrow they had to endure then, since and to this very day. Dear innocent souls continue to RIP 😞❤️ Amen!!

[@racheldemain1940]

@@marklyons3003 what got me was the parents not letting their children play outside as it would upset the families who lost their Children.

[@DavidGarside]

I remember as a child not being allowed out to play if there was a funeral taking place in our street. Same with my friends at the time. It was a sign of respect back then.

[@antblair4079]

I remember this terrible event when I was a 9 year old kid living in Scarborough before my mum and dad migrated to Australia with my brother and sister in 1970. For some reason, this tragedy has always been on my mind and I have always wanted to visit Aberfan to pay my respects - my twin brother and i are going to visit on 23/12/2019. I will say a prayer and pay my respects after 53 years. It was deeply moving in 1966 and still is today - RIP to the deceased and condolences to the villagers.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you Ant. I was in Newcastle when it happened and it was so far away I never thought I'd ever get there. I live in the South now about 130 miles away allowing a fairly easy visit. You will definitely feel the atmosphere and emotion of the place when you visit. Say a prayer for me too. Thank you.

[@racheldemain1940]

@@DavidGarside i wonder if the people of Aberfan get fed up of people coming to the Cemetery and Memorial place? What was your experience?

[@DavidGarside]

@@racheldemain1940 . It was very quiet and peaceful. The locals that I saw were very friendly and I think they know people come to pay their respects. Thank you for watching. 🙂

[@Austin4098]

I was 9 years old in a classroom just 18 miles north of Aberfan on the day this awful news broke. It was the first time I had seen real shock in the face of my teacher. "There has been an accident in Aberfan, a school has been buried under a slag heap and a lot of children have been hurt". I could tell from the tone in his voice, that it was far more serious. Such an awful tragedy. It breaks my heart to think about what those people lost and suffered.

[@kristinebailey6554]

Much sympathy and respect from Colorado, USA. Never in all my 66 years of life have I seen such a beautiful and touching memorial to little lambs.

[@moseschrute]

So heartbreaking, as a parent I can’t even imagine the pain and grief for their parents. I noticed “Reunited” and “Together Again” added on some of the gravestones now that their parents have passed on as well, it’s very moving to see

[@DavidGarside]

Yes, a very sad time for many people. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@sousamina]

thank you for showing us this place, with such respect.

[@sooz9433]

This Cemetery is so bright and clean.... the love lives on here where they will all eventually return to one another... thank you for sharing this with us... such a beautiful rest from such a dark tragedy.

[@geoffpoole483]

The silence of the video spoke volumes; most respectful. Aberfan lost an entire generation that tragic day.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you Geoff. I thought at the time it was better to keep quiet and just let people think their own thoughts. Not a time for chit chat.

[@joearkle1327]

I was nine years old and used to live in s mining village at the time this happened we had moved to the city about two years earlier and can remember it like it was yesterday R.I.P to all those who lost them lives

[@Ninapatine]

I had never known of this tragedy prior to watching The Crown on Netflix. I now will never forget the horrible event the many lives lost. May they all rest in eternal peace.

[@HighTen_Melanie]

Sending love and prayers to families, friends and of all those affected by Aberfan.

[@laurencegladwell529]

I was 14 when this Terrible event occurred, but I can remember it so well 😢😢

[@DavidGarside]

I was 11 years old and remember it very well, a terrible tragedy. Thank you for watching and your comment.

[@nabihahabibullah1577]

Visiting a cemetery reminds me how tiny and helpless we are, how trivial things are, how life is short and worthless and how greedy people are to fight over it. Those we lost are not perished, they only moved to another world where they can hear us but we cannot see them. May God have His Mercy on our beloved deceased ones.

[@susanhayward2063]

Thank you for the video. As a seven year old with Welsh family from Merthyr Tydfil area it was a huge event in my life despite living in the south coast of England at the time and being too young to comprehend it all. As a schoolchild it was a devastating event and the whole class cried. My birth nana Way always spoke in Welsh and would not acknowledge the English language. Songs were sung in Welsh that I couldn't understand but were so moving. The enormity of the crime was lost on me at the time and to think that the coal board refused to properly assist with the issues was not understood until I was a teenager. The areas where miners worked are to this day huge dark mountains of dumped stuff blighting the beautiful hills and valleys. So sad a story. The relatives of the bereaved behaved with perfect dignity throughout. Such gentle honesty against the coal board's deceptions. Only just found this video and glad to have watched it.

[@DavidGarside]

I was just 12 at the time and I didn't really understand the enormity of it st the time. With your connections to the area it must really have affected your family. As I became older and realised just how tragic this was, was when I had the desire to go and pay my respects. I could just feel the atmosphere whilst there and every time I think about it I get the same sad feeling. I'm glad you're pleased you found the video. Thank you for watching and you message. R.I.P. to them all.

[@corkycobon1481]

I was not born when this happened and I had no clue about it until I saw The Crown. My heart breaks for the village and the survivors. I can not even begin to imagine the grief that the people of Aberfan had to endure and still do to this day. Thank you for your very respectful and touching video of Aberfan. I have always wanted to go to England and Ireland. When I do, I am going to make a point of visiting Aberfan to express my condolences. Thank you.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you Corky. I was 11 and remember the TV news reports at the time, which I think can be seen on KZbin. I deliberately stayed silent while videoing it as I thought it inappropriate to talk at this time. Thank you for your kind comments, and I hope you manage to see it for yourself when you visit the UK.

[@robharding4028]

How can we ever forget this village disaster back in 1966, I was 9 at the time, the same age as some of those poor children, This disaster should never have happened, But it did. and we can never ever forget those victims, together with their grief stricken families. God bless them all,

[@pauledwards5626]

The wife and I visited last April 2019 I also had always wanted to go there, it’s a very special place.

[@juliemunro1]

I recently visited this place because my sister now lives in the area. What a sad and emotional time we had looking at all those graves. And it looks like a lot of the parents having now passed on have been reunited with their children. R.I P.

[@alexg5513]

So unbelievably sad, I cannot imagine the heartache in this town. Thanks for uploading, it's so nice to see what they have done with the area, how lovely it is and how everyone has been remembered.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you Alex. Yes, as I said you can feel the atmosphere here, very moving. They've done a fantastic job and they keep it beautifully.

[@faithfulforever6331]

These children were of my generation, born in the same year as me; therefore, I think of them as my brothers and sisters. God bless them and all the people of Aberfan.

[@Funkopopsstorewalkthroughsunbo]

I went there to Aberfan today I paid my respects to those childern and teachers that lost their lives terrible 😦😦😦😦😔😔😟😕rest in peace Cymru am byth 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍🏻

[@mariaud999]

I saw your comment on Facebook and your mention of your video, so here I am. Wow it is very moving, even watching it on here. You are right, it is very beautifully kept. I myself was 8 years old at the time and I do remember it, and I realised it was a terrible tragedy. Seeing Aberfan for oneself must be a very moving experience. I must make the trip one day. Thank you for posting xx

[@1977seabiscuit]

Beautiful memorial to remember these beautiful children and adults who lost their lives. Thank you for posting.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you Daniel.

[@petedunsford2915]

Beautifully done.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you.

[@marykelly4074]

I visited this place many years ago. I was 11 when the disaster struck and have vivid memories of the news reports of the time. Such an awful tragedy. So sad to see all young lives lost but also their place is beautiful.. God rest them.

[@6345pauline]

So beautiful and so said, I've visited many times and remember what is was doing that. I shall never forget this dreadful tragedy

[@DavidGarside]

I waited many years before my visit, but I'm glad I managed to get there in the end. It's something that I've always thought about, and I too remember this terrible event. Thank you for your lovely comment. Take care.

[@csmelen]

Your video, a beautiful memoriam.

[@ianbennett1491]

Wow. Seeing all those gravestones brings the sheer and utter tragedy of the 21-10-66.I do not remember it . I was only 5. My sincere condolences to the everyone affected by this tragedy . RIP.all the victims of something that could and should have being avoided. Iain Leeds Yorkshire.😥😥😥

[@animalsarebetterthanmosthu2801]

Can't believe that some of them are the same age of my mom. I can always picture them as kids/children. It's so heartbreaking to see these beautiful kids'gravestones. I have a 7-month old son and this is so sad😭

[@Lara-yp5oc]

Thank you to the person who made this video. God bless you.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you. Please feel free to share on your channel if you wish. Thank you again

[@Lara-yp5oc]

@@DavidGarside Yes I shall. I shall share this painful loss of life with many. Thank you

[@jimmykouba4494]

This is a beautiful video and am glad you went there. I found it very moving. The cemetary is so beautiful with all the marble and arches. Reading names and their age hit me hard. I found it very meaningful to see Reunited parent and child. After seeing the footages in black and white of the village and cemetery caused me to time warp seeing living color. I was only a year old when it happened and living in a different country it still broke my heart and cry for the children and families. David, thank you for posting this.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you Jimmy for your kind comment. I know exactly how you feel as I did the same whilst I was there. The original news reports are also on KZbin, which is what you may have seen. Thank you again.

[@racheldemain1940]

I remember seeing black and white news footage of the Cemetery and it looked so bleak and eerie. Now this video makes it look peaceful. I wasn't born until 4 years after this tragedy but Mum and Dad told me as it took place exactly a year after they got married.

[@illuminatedgalaxies7777.]

I was three at the time I can remember my grandmother hugging me and crying she cried for months after this terrible disaster me and my husband are going to pay our respects to aberfan next week and leave a rose 🌹 for all that lost there lives thank you for showing us before we visit we still cry today it is so sad 🌹🙏💜

[@corpusdelectable6078]

Thank you for sharing this. You see about this on TV with 'The Crown' and also documentaries, but the utter enormity of such a loss isn't conveyed until you see those two almost endless rows of the stark white arches against the beautiful hill like this. The serene but somber tranquility amplifies the fact that an entire generation of children have been silenced forever. That the memorial and graves are so pristine is a testament to the love and devotion of this community. Very powerful video.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you. I thought quiet respect was required by myself while doing this. Your kind comments make me feel I was right doing that.

[@racheldemain1940]

@@DavidGarside it speaks for itself.

[@virginiaallen3406]

Beautiful video. Thankyou kindly for posting this.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you Virginia, that's very kind of you. 😊

[@lewismorgan7499]

David Garside thanks for sharing such a sad story about the poor children and adults who lost their lives may god bless them all 🙏❤️

[@lolamedley8172]

Ohh the unimaginable grief... Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@AtCar3]

I dont know how one woud keep their composure visiting this site.

[@mattsmith2274]

I've lived in aberfan/Merthyr vale all my life and still to this day when I visit my grandparents grave I always shed a tear. The true enormity and seriousness of the disaster really hits home 😭

[@Badgirl7890]

I remember 😢 RIP

[@davefk]

Thank you for sharing that very moving video David. Like yourself, I have also always wanted to visit and pay my respects. I remember the disaster very well, being a 9 year old myself in 1966. I shall have to visit next summer.....

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you Dave. Yes, as you can see they've made a beautiful job of the memorial gardens and the cemetery. What you don't get from the video is the atmosphere...you can just feel it...very hard to describe. You will know what I mean when you go. I hope you enjoy (not sure that's the right wording) your visit. Thank you for your kind comment.

[@bjw4859]

Some things need no words, it was nice to see that family members who died later came back to be buried with the people who died on that day, RIP.

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Thanks

[@paulgoode5245]

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 still too this day

[@melbomartin]

Thank you for sharing this video. Very thoughtfully filmed and presented just as it is. It is very moving to see the cemetery with parents now joining their children. May they all rest in eternal peace.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you for your kind words. I wanted to stay silent so that you can feel the atmosphere as I did whilst there. A terrible tragedy that should never have happened. R.I.P. to all here. Thank you again.

[@paperchain1239]

Hi David the so much for the heart. I am currently ill and have built up an interest in Aberfan. Your coverage was so good I felt like I was there. Well done.

[@DavidGarside]

I'm very sorry to hear you're not well, I do hope you recover soon. I have a book written by one of the survivors, a very good read from someone that was there. It's titled.... 'Aberfan' and it's by Gaynor Madgewick. I think you would like it. Thank you for your kind comment. Take care.

[@paperchain1239]

@@DavidGarside Hi and thanks for your kind thoughts. I will have to get hold of it when I am better.

[@christine8394]

I had just turned 13, at a school a few miles away from Aberfan. We were all called into the hall to be told there had been a terrible accident at a nearby school and we must all go straight home as the teachers were not able to teach that day. I will never forget the look of grief on our teachers faces.

[@andychaz10]

I was 11 years old as well and lived less than 10 miles away from Aberfan in Hengoed. Yesterday I travelled from Hampshire to let my wife see the memorial garden and visit the graves. My wife was overcome with emotion. I actually talked to a gentleman who lost his brother in this horrific disaster. But his other brother survived. He was only one at the time .

[@suevosloo2008]

I was only 10 at the time but i remember this

[@DavidGarside]

I was only 12 too and it's stayed with me ever since, which is why I had to visit. Thank you for watching and your comment.

[@geojoanne1]

We visited yesterday for the first time. Like you it was something I'd wanted to do for as long as I remember. I recall watching the footage as it unfolded on our little tv. I was 8 at the time. So poignant and moving. To this day I wonder what my parents were thinking as they watched it with me.

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you for watching. It sounds as if it had the same effect on you as it did me. I could feel the atmosphere all the time we were there. I'm pleased I managed to visit though.

[@catrinelenwilliams1184]

It happened the day after my dad's 8th birthday and he remembers it like yesterday.

[@victoriachatterbox8492]

Hard to beleive such a terrible tragedy happened at this beautiful little place and even harder to think every arch represents a little life

[@Kim-ss5bb]

Such a beautiful location my heart brakes for the lives lost 💔

[@karenmartin4479]

Gives me goosebumps bless all the little children and adults that this dreadful accident had to happen they are in my thoughts god bless xxxx

[@cartooncrazy9433]

I noticed that this awful tragedy happened on one of the children's mothers' birthday. A mother lost her son on her birthday. So so sad.

[@krugerfuchs]

Very nicely done

[@DavidGarside]

Thank you Kyle.

[@robsmithadventures1537]

So tragic that it was all preventable. Not like a natural disaster or act of God. The danger was foreseen here and sadly ignored until the worst case scenario happened.

[@DavidGarside]

Yes, all the warnings were ignored apparently......and these all suffered the consequences. Terrible tragedy.

[@paperchain1239]

Angels

[@loobyloocawthorne212]

Hauntingly beautiful 🙏🤍

[@matthewjones9565]

I plan on visiting this summer. I won't go with my children, I don't think that I could cope with that.

[@DavidGarside]

It's a very moving place. I just had to go as it was something I remember happening when I was 11 years old. I hope you enjoy (probably not the right word but you know what I mean) the visit.

[@matthewjones9565]

@@DavidGarside I wasn't even thought of when it happened, but I married a Welsh girl while I was in the army and her mother told me all about it. I've just never gotten around to going, now I'll make sure I do.

[@DavidGarside]

I lived in Pembroke Dock, and Manorbier when I was aged about 4 to 5 as my dad was stationed there in the Royal Artillery.

[@matthewjones9565]

@@DavidGarside I was never based in Wales. I was Coldstream Guards and then later went on to the Guards Parachute Platoon which is part of 3 Para

[@Mr75044]

The Krays twins donated What would to day be £ 3000 the largest single amount. Also they gave it In person.... RESPECT TO ALL THE CHILDREN & FAMILIES. my missus & myself Will be visiting to pay our Respects.next summer.

[@Mr75044]

Thanks Dave.

[@DavidGarside]

It is definitely worth going. I wanted to go as I was only 11 when it happened and didn't fully understand how tragic it was. It's a very respectful place, and I will say you can feel from the atmosphere that something terrible had happened in the past. Enjoy (not sure that's the right word ?), your visit. Thank you for watching and your kind comment.

[@Mr75044]

@@DavidGarside At this age now you get it This isn't the place But when I read about the Gov lack of interest. We should go show respect and we stand shoulder to shoulder Working class. My wife can remember her Mother crying in the kitchen ....100 odd miles away. She wants to go for her aswell loads of reasons . I will come back to this page..after we have been. Thanks again.

[@deborahbaker1254]

So many headstones. It doesn't hit home till you see the actual number of headstones. So many children

[@Missismoo22]

Those gardens have matured beautifully. A place of peace & contemplation to remember the horrific tragedy that resulted in so much pain & loss. It is a testimony to the love of people of Aberfan who keep the gardens & cemetery so immaculate. Gorffwys mewn heddwch, byddwn yn eich cofio bob amser

[@DavidGarside]

They're very respectful there. They were working in the cemetery when we visited, and stopped when we were walking around.

[@caiojones8908]

It brackets my Hart

[@love_agapi_m3976]

🙏🏻

[@JulianGlass]

My wife and went for the same reasons as you. We were fortunate to meet a resident who helped on the rescue and he effectively became our ‘tour guide’ of the school, playground and cemetery. I think he ‘needs’ to do it to cope even now. Not in any way judging you but at the outset I decided not to take any photos or video as it would seem almost like voyeuring. However you video is very tasteful and allows folk who haven’t visited to see it.

[@DavidGarside]

That must have been bitter sweet meeting someone who was involved. You must have felt his sadness, but glad he could give you some genuine history of the time. I can understand the fact that he would need to talk about it too. In my video I decided that silence was the best thing, and it gives the opportunity for others that are unable to visit themselves to see it. Thank you for watching and your kind comment, much appreciated.

[@kathleengreen6889]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🧸💔💕

[@Lara-yp5oc]

Had it not been for watching The Crown I'd have never known.

[@joeblogs-vx4ep]

RIP little ones😢 What's that infernal clicking noise in the background ?

[@DavidGarside]

@joeblogs-vx4ep . The clicking noises at the Cemetery were workmen carrying out maintenance and repairs. The rustling noise is the wind on the microphone, it was a bit windy at times there! Sorry if was distracting. Thank you for watching.

[@beatrizlozanoreyes1312]

Even the wind sounds sad

[@Katwoman4318]

♥️

[@mattsmith2274]

The walls in the memorial garden are built in the shape of the classrooms x

[@DavidGarside]

Yes, I could feel the sadness of this terrible tragedy when I visited. I knew the memorial grounds were built on the school site but not about the shape of the classrooms. A beautiful memorial and cemetery which should never have been needed. Thank you for watching and your comment.

[@mattsmith2274]

@@DavidGarside I've lived in Aberfan/Merthyr vale all my life, my grandfather was one of the miners there helping with the recovery effort . The memorial garden has a sense of tranquility but also extreme sadness. All for the price of coal.. 😪

[@DavidGarside]

@@mattsmith2274 . I did wonder from your first comment if you'd had relatives involved in some way at the time. Respect to all those people that helped to rescue and recover. I just can't comprehend how painful that must have been for everyone, especially those that had relations caught up in the actual disaster itself. Thank you again for your your kind comments.

[@claramarcelaandradecastro8590]

Is a ghos?? In the minute between 4:44 and 4:46. When the camara zoom you can see it. I think...is my guess. The white shadow is just crossing. Please if is not tell me that is something else 😮

[@DavidGarside]

Morning Clara. I'm not able to see it myself I'm afraid, even after looking several times, sorry. Thank you for your comment and for watching.

[@richardevans7035]

Yes seen it myself behind the headstones and heading up into the bushes

[@Jxm3lia]

This is we’re I live now

[@Lara-yp5oc]

😭😭😭😭🙏🙏

[@DavidGarside]

Sorry, I can't seem to reply to your latest message. I'm glad you were able to meet your family but it must have been a bitter sweet experience for you all regarding this, especially for those directly involved. Thank you again for your kind comment. R.I.P. to all of those that died in this tragic event. ❤❤

[@armpitfuzz]

Why was I thinking it was 81 children and 1 adult who perished ?

[@robertsnare1411]

armpitfuzz That’s how many were buried in the mass funeral held a week after the disaster. Many families chose to have individual services.

[@lesleymorley7126]

Shame no one picked up the rubbish at 6.39

[@DavidGarside]

Hi Lesley. Thank you for watching. I agree with you there, and I did pick up an empty plastic water bottle left on a seat and put in the bin nearby, but although I stood the flowers back up, I didn't think it was my place to remove them. It's possible the person that put them there is a regular visitor and may change them each time, and I'm sure there's a dedicated team for looking after this well kept place in the event of rubbish being left. David.

[@CupsC-OPS]

Someone had collected flowers in the bottle, it wasn’t rubbish

[@lesleymorley7126]

@@DavidGarside Hello David. Are you the same David 5hat features in several videos.

[@DavidGarside]

Yes, I'm in several of my videos.