The Children of Aberfan: A heart-breaking true story of loss, community and courage

· ·
· Hachette UK
Ebook
208
Pages
Eligible
This book will become available on July 30, 2026. You will not be charged until it is released.

About this ebook

The story of a tragedy never forgotten, and a community who came together to mourn a generation of children

In October 1966, a small Welsh mining village was hit by disaster. Heavy rain had been pounding the village for days and over time filled a tip containing coal waste, situated high above the village. Within minutes, the coal tip had slid down the mountain, engulfing a farm, several houses and a school, and ultimately killing 28 adults and 116 children. It was a man-made disaster, the likes of which had not seen before, and which attracted the attention of the world's media. Aberfan would become synonymous with tragedy as the small, close-knit village mourned the loss of an entire generation of children.

In The Children of Aberfan those who were actually there - rescuers, parents, teachers, neighbours and children - tell the full story of the tragic event. Moving and simply told, in the voices of the people on the ground, it is a story about a grieving community, about a disaster long foretold but ignored by those in power; and about the heroism and dignity of those who were left behind.

About the author

Sue Elliott is a writer of social and oral history and has published five books in collaboration with Steve Humphries and Testimony Films.

Steve Humphries established Testimony Films in 1992 and is recognised as a pioneering producer of oral history documentaries. His award-winning films have been shown on all main UK channels and across the English-speaking world.

Bevan Jones grew up close to the south Wales valleys and has worked as a writer, editor and academic, latterly for US universities in London.

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