This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6161710.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pit explosion deaths remembered Ex-miners commemorate fatal blast
(about 8 hours later)
The 50th anniversary of the death of 10 miners in an explosion at a pit in the south Wales valleys is being marked by a memorial service. The 50th anniversary of a colliery explosion that killed 10 men has been commemorated by relatives and former workmates of those who died.
The 10 workers died on 22 November 1956 as a result of the blast at the Trefor Pit in the Lewis Merthyr Colliery in the Rhondda. The blast at the Trefor Pit in the Lewis Merthyr Colliery in the Rhondda on 22 November 1956 happened when a gas pocket was ignited by a rock fall.
Half a century later, the relatives and friends of the men have been invited to a memorial service. Around 70 former miners and relatives of the dead men held a memorial service at what is now Rhondda Heritage Park.
It will be held at Rhondda Heritage Park at 1500 GMT on Sunday. Organiser Ransford Rogers said: "It was quite an emotional get-together."
The explosion happened when a pocket of gas was ignited by a rock fall. Mr Rogers was a 19-year-old doing his national service in the mine, which employed 1,160 men and had an output of 1,250 tons a day.
Two of the men died instantly. It brought back some old and painful memories for some but all had a chance to remember the friends they'd lost Rhondda Heritage Park director John Harrison
At the time, there were about 1,160 men employed at Trefor which had an output of 1,250 tons a day. He was underground nearby helping to clear a rock fall when the explosion happened.
The Rhondda Heritage Park was chosen as the venue for the memorial service because it is on the site of the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery and includes the Trefor Pit head buildings. "There had been massive fall the week before," he said.
Councillor Robert Bevan, a former employee at Lewis Merthyr Colliery, said: "The service will reflect on the dangers of mining and how many families in Rhondda Cynon Taf are still affected by these dangers and events such as this. "They had been working on it for about a week trying to get it all cleared so the miners could get back for the first time.
"We are grateful to Ransford Rogers for reminding us of this anniversary and we look forward to sharing in this memorial service with those who have been affected." 'Recognition'
"The two air doors alongside suddenly opened. There was a big 'whoosh' and clouds of dust and smoke. A fella came running up, his clothes were smouldering."
Mr Rogers went back down the pit to help the injured to hospital
Mr Rogers, who helped take the injured to hospital, said he knew six of the dead men, one of whom was his mentor, Goldas Jones.
He said: "There was no trauma therapy in those days. You just had a day or two off and went back to work again.
"About three months later I left the pit altogether and joined the navy."
Sunday's ceremony was suggested by Mr Rogers. He said: "It was nice for the families to see that there was some recognition.
"I feel a bit relieved today that everyone had come together, some I have not seen since then."
Rhondda Heritage Park director John Harrison said: "What was very moving was to see a number of old comrades who had not seen each other for quite some time and who were reminiscing about what life was like.
"They have very vivid memories. It brought back some old and painful memories for some but all had a chance to remember the friends they'd lost."