Aberfan’s story and coal tip safety in focus as prime minister andy burnham visits ahead of 60th anniversary

Meeting the Aberfan community

Burnham visited the memorial garden with survivor Jeff Edwards and Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock. He also met pupils from Caegarw Primary School, who were visiting the site on Monday morning without knowing the prime minister would be there.

Burnham said his parents had told him about the disaster while he was growing up. He said he had come to recognise the community and what its members had endured.

Remembering the tragedy

The memorial garden stands on the site of the destroyed Pantglas School. The disaster’s 60th anniversary is approaching. Burnham said, “I don't think Aberfan was treated properly by the authorities.” He added that this also needed to be recognised.

Safety and anniversary visits

Burnham described coal tip safety, especially in former mining communities in south Wales, as “critical importance”. He said his government was providing around £140m to the Welsh government, which was adding extra funding.

Ellis, 10, told Burnham that his grandfather had crossed the valley to help with the rescue effort. Holly, also 10 and from Caegarw, said her family had a close connection with the tragedy. King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William are due in Aberfan on Wednesday; the late Queen Elizabeth visited the town eight times.