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

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

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, neighbors 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.

Sue Elliott (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 (Author)
Steve Humphries established Testimony Films in 1992 and is recognized 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 (Author)
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.