Tragedy in Lancashire...

Today, the 21st of December, will always be remembered for the terrible tragedy that occurred in 1988, when Pan Am flight 103 was blown apart in the skies over Lockerbie, Scotland.  A total of 270 people lost their lives due to a terrorist bomb.

However, this incident overshadows two more tragic events.  What is particularly sad is that the disasters occurred in the county of Lancashire, no more than 30 miles apart.

Blaenavon Iron and Steel Company...

Tomorrow is 28th November.  On Wednesday, 28th November, 1838, the town of Blaenavon, Gwent (then Monmouthshire) in South Wales suffered a terrible tragedy.  Mining accidents were not rare in those days, but this one was a little different.  There was no explosion.  There was no cage accident.

9th September in Scotland and Wales...

I make frequent posts on here about accidents down the mines of Great Britain, usually involving a heavy loss of life.  While today's offering doesn't involve any major incidents with victims in double or triple figures (obviously, any loss of life can be considered a disaster), it does show that the 9th of September has seen an unusually high number of accidents.

This is a grim reminder just how dangerous the industry could be.

Black Day in July...

The title of today's post comes from a Gordon Lightfoot song, which he wrote about the 1967 riots in Detroit.  Of course, this post has nothing to do with that, but refers to one of the worst days in the history of Welsh mining.  Today - the 15th of July - is the anniversary of not one, but two terrible events in south Wales...

Ferndale Colliery Disasters...

The small town of Ferndale is located in the heart of Welsh mining country in the Rhondda Valley in South Wales.  Ferndale was the very first community in the valley to be truly industrialised, when the first of nine coal mines was sunk in 1857.  Together, these nine mines made up Ferndale Colliery.

Scottish Mining Accidents...

There have been no major British mining disasters on 10th April, but there have been a number of accidents in which lives have been lost.  Here are some that have occurred in Scottish mines...

Oaks Colliery Disaster...

On the 5th of March, 1847, the Oaks Colliery suffered its first major accident, when an explosion of firedamp (methane) claimed the lives of 73 men and boys.  Nineteen years later, this incident would tragically be overshadowed by what was to be the worst mining disaster in English history.

Risca Black Vein Pit Disaster

Today, Risca is part of the Newport conurbation in Gwent, South Wales.  In 1860, it was a typical, small Welsh mining town, home to the Risca Iron and Coal Company.  The Company's local colliery worked the rich "Black Vein" coal seam, hence the name.

Forty-Eight Years Ago Today...

Aberfan is a small village in Glamorgan, four miles south of Merthyr Tydfil.  In the shadow of Mynydd Merthyr, a ridge of high ground between two valleys, it is a typical Welsh town, with narrow streets lined by small, unremarkable terraced houses.  From the early part of the 20th Century, the aforementioned Mynydd Merthyr was used to store debris from the local coal mines,  In 1966, tragic series of events led to the sleepy little village becoming known worldwide...

The Senghenydd Disaster...

Tuesday, 14th October, 1913, is a day that will remain one of the worst days in British mining history.  Today is the 101st anniversary of a massive explosion which devastated a small Welsh town, and claimed the lives of over four hundred miners.

Mine, All Mine...

When one thinks of mining, the first thought is that of coal mining.  Quite understandable, eh?  Still, there are/were many other minerals and materials that are produced by mining in the United Kingdom, although nowhere near as common as they once were.  I will today have a look at some of those materials, and where they were mined.

Sad Days...

I have already posted a number of mining disasters on here, but August 21st is one of those days that has seen several accidents over the years.  None of these could be considered "disasters", although they were, of course, disasters to the family and friends of those lost.

Albion Colliery Disaster June 23

Cilfynydd is a small village in Glamorgan, a short drive from the Welsh capital of Cardiff.  Situated on the banks of the River Taff, it is right in the heart of the South Wales Coalfield.  In 1887, the village welcomed the opening of the Albion Colliery.  Seven years later, the local residents were reeling from one of the worst mining disasters in British history.

Middle Duffryn Colliery 1852...

Coal mining has long played a major role in the lives of many Welsh families.  Tragically, it has also caused major losses in many Welsh families.  On May 10, 1852, there was an explosion at the Middle Duffryn Colliery, near Aberdare in South Wales.

A National Strike...

Eight-eight years ago today, on May 3, 1926, the Trades Union Congress called a national strike, commonly known as the "General Strike".  This was a protest to force the government to assist coal-miners, who were being subjected to worsening conditions in the mines, as well as poor wages.  At the time, there were some 800,000 miners who were locked out of their jobs.