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Post by jeffery07 on Mar 29, 2008 15:51:23 GMT 1
Greetings! I'm new to all this, so excuse any mistakes. I used to live in Aberfan from:1947(a baby-aaah!) until 1964-left to join the Royal Navy, parents moved to Swindon; anyone out there remembers me? I used to live in Angus street,-the end house,(long demolished-did I ever exist?) I attended both Pantglas junior and Secondary modern(what happened to the teachers?-jeff davies, Mr. Watson social studies)-he joined the school when I was there, certain pupils always played him up! What ever became of John the Grove? Old friends: Pete Walker, David Roberts, Alan Bennett and many others(honest) whose names have not stood the test of time! I used to have a girl-friend from Troedyrhiw-Margaret Lewis of Angus street. I try to visit once a year and was last in Aberfan 2006. It is certainly a cleaner and nicer place now that the pits have gone. My name is Jeff Adams. My elder brother, Derek Adams and a younger sister, Joy Adams. Any memories jogged? That should do for now. Jeff Adams
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Post by buffylewis on Mar 29, 2008 18:16:55 GMT 1
Iremember your sister I think she was around my age (b 1952 ) I used to be in the same class at aberfan secondary as Raymond Collins, Andrew Davies and Robert Coffey who sadly died in the aberfan disaster. my name is Elizabeth (Liz ) Manns now Lewis
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Post by jeffery07 on Apr 1, 2008 17:01:35 GMT 1
Activated!! How's Troedyrhiw? When a young teenager we occasionally used to visit(friends and I) Angus street and surroundings-girls! Is the park still there?-the swings,slide,-an exremely high one as I recall. I 've reread your original message,yes your birthdate is roughly the same as hers. We used to play now and again on the tip that collapsed. I even used to hitch a lift on the slow-moving trams-I shudder at the thought now. I'm surprised that no-one has written a play cum documentary on the disaster. I strongly believe that one is necessary 'cos so many people, esp. children(Welsh too) have never heard of it. No-one else has responded.-Jeff
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Post by buffylewis on Apr 1, 2008 20:42:26 GMT 1
I have left merthyr about 30 yrs ago,shall be paying a visit soon though,there was a programme on tv last year about aberfan disaster,it still leaves me cold.I also used to spend a lot of time at the park,i'm sure it must still be there.maybe, there will be as you say play cum doc done one day. Ihave shown my children photo's of Aberfan and they were very moved, they had only heard me talk of it. take care. liz
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Post by ronv42 on Apr 7, 2008 11:51:06 GMT 1
Interesting to see talk of the disaster. I was working at the London Palladium (Lighting operator) on the day it happened. Frankie Vaughan and Michael Bentine were both on the show we were doing and they refused to let the curtain go up for the second half. They came out in front of curtain and Frankie Vaughan told the stunned audience about the disaster. He was very much into boys clubs and supporting children, and he cried when he told the audience. I remember the audience all donated money at the doors towards the fund that was set up. You mention someone doing a play. I am a retired teacher and I write plays, I just started getting them published and they have all been performed. I'll do some research on the subject and have a think about a script, so any more info from people who were there would be appreciated.
rontheatricalprops@ntlworld.com.
Ron Rees.
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Post by jeffery07 on Apr 7, 2008 19:31:48 GMT 1
Thanks Ron Rees for your reply! Do you live in Aberfan? No I'm not doing a play,although I'm well into writing a novel- not bad for someone who left Pantglas Senior with no qualifications!-None were offered(but that is another story). What I was attempting to say is that I am truly amazed that no-one has written , say, a t.v. play on the tragedy of Aberfan, the deceit that came in its wake,etc(Lord Robens). On the other hand, perhaps the wounds are still raw and should be left alone. I don't know. What sort of plays do you write and where are they performed? I think a play on the Aberfan disaster would not be easy to write. There is so much to capture: desperation,courage, shock, disbelieve,etc. To do justice to the subject I think it would certainly take a few years to complete. The research would be enormous. What do you think? May I ask where you live? Regards Jeff Adams
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Post by ronv42 on Apr 8, 2008 9:35:23 GMT 1
Hi Jeffery07,
I live just East of London, near Romford in Essex. and was born in 1948, just a little bit after you. My Uncle Trevor was born in Trethomas, and my Grandfather was born in Merthyr T. They lived in Yew Street, Troedyrhiw, and were all Coal workers, Hewers etc. During my research into my family I have found out a lot about the area, I have never been there but plan to, maybe later in the Summer. I have always been connected with the Theatre as you can see from my E.Mail address, rontheatricalprops@ntlworld.com and my father, Vernon (who was born in London) became an Opera singer after the 2nd War.
I have written 11 Musicals and/or Pantomimes, 6 comedy and straight plays and am half way into writing 2 different books. Like you, I left school with only a 'C' in Art GCE but that was because I discovered Lambretta Scooters and Girls!!! and school was dead boring.
I had to do all my learning later, in my own time and at my own cost, (Kids never listen and learn do they)
The idea of writing a play about the Disaster is growing in my mind and I have started seriously collecting research. Once started and with the ideas I am getting, starting to flow, it could probably be written in about a month (that is doing nothing else, like sleeping, eating etc)
I have already decided not to use actual names because I agree with you, that it is still very raw for some people, and obviously, because I now have all their names, I will make sure that I don't upset people. Unless they contact me to say otherwise.
If I have an E.Mail contact for you I can forward the rough outline etc when I have done it.
Apart from all the feelings you listed, I also want to cover the ineptitude and callousness and downright theft (Fund Money) of the Owners/Coal Board/Managers/ Robens etc. and also the way the people have bravely moved forward towards the future.
One gets the feeling of abject poverty, darkness, dampness and resignation when you look at the history of Welsh mining and living with it, but this was in the 1960's . I need to find out more about their quality of life and what they wore and so much else. Remembering that by this time it was not 'How Green was my Valley' but the Beatles, Ford Cortinas, wimpy bars and so forth.
It is quite a different look to before the wars and so on. I know my Granddad and his family washed in the tin bath in front of the fire after coming off shift in the colliery before the 2nd War, so I am pretty sure that by 1966 things had changed a bit. As someone who lived there, maybe you, and others, could give me a better idea of home life etc.
Talk again soon.
RON REES.
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Post by jeffery07 on Apr 9, 2008 19:23:13 GMT 1
Watch this space! Shall collect some memories of Aberfan a.s.a.p.
jeff adams
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Post by buffylewis on Apr 9, 2008 20:56:14 GMT 1
Hi jeffrey, look forward to them..liz
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Post by jeffery07 on Apr 10, 2008 19:11:28 GMT 1
liz, I forgot to ask which part of the U.K. are you living?-if I may ask. Jeff
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Post by jeffery07 on Apr 16, 2008 19:10:05 GMT 1
Ron(and Liz), Sorry about delay! I am trying to locate(lost at home) a very useful thick booklet called "Our Longing"(with a Welsh title which I think you will find interesting for your play! It is probably out of print (maybe); if it is you can obtain it from your library. As soon as I find it I'll post it on this message board. It contains a potted history of Aberfan, some anecdotes, poetry and some very poignant stories of the disaster from parents who lost their children. It was purchased from Aberfan book shop, which(unless it has re-opened) is no longer. So, hang in there... Liz, I got your message about Ron's play being written in a month and did reply, but, as usual, I cannot find it! best wishes, -did you get it? jeff adams
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Post by buffylewis on Apr 16, 2008 21:05:00 GMT 1
Hi Jeff, yes I did, Ihope ron is getting plenty of rest, hopefully your booklet will be helpful to him. take care, liz
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Post by ronv42 on Apr 17, 2008 2:33:05 GMT 1
Hi Liz and Jeff,
Thanks for the messages. I have had a long chat with another well known Playright friend, she said that the idea was 'sending shivers down her spine' I have already made a start, having spent hours and hours looking at everything I could find about the disaster. The booklet you mention would indeed come in handy because this is quite a difficult subject to tackle in this media and I want to 'do the people proud' so to speak. I've called it "All things Bright and Beautiful", which I think is so heartstopping in the circumstances.
There are a couple of things I need to know. I have searched for a picture of how the waste was delivered to the top of Tip No 7, but can't find any. Was it a long conveyer belt on a crane arm or was it a bucket and drag system, it could have even been things like mine trucks. It is unclear. Reports from the tip workers who spotted the initial 3 metre slide and tried to warn those below, talk about 'cables going slack etc'
I will deal with this initial discovery as part of the play. Also, what was name of the chapel/church where the victims were taken, called. And a Farm was completely covered. Anybody know the name of it and where it was.....Thanks.
Any help here appreciated.
Regards...............Ron Rees.
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Post by buffylewis on Apr 17, 2008 8:10:32 GMT 1
Hi Ron, have you contacted alan george on this site, I am sure he can give you a lot of info...and maybe merthyr express..talk soon. liz
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Post by buffylewis on Apr 17, 2008 23:23:32 GMT 1
Ron, I think the name of the chapel was Bethania as to the farm cottage maybe Jeff would remember. liz
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