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£1.5m for Aberfan memorial garden £1.5m for Aberfan memorial garden
(about 3 hours later)
A total of £2m is to be spent maintaining the Aberfan memorial garden and cemetery and on teaching local school children about the disaster. More than £1.5m is to be spent maintaining the Aberfan memorial garden and cemetery and on teaching local school children about the disaster.
There had been fears there would not be enough money to continue the work.There had been fears there would not be enough money to continue the work.
Aberfan survivor Gaynor Madgewick said the assembly government money was "like a closure at last".Aberfan survivor Gaynor Madgewick said the assembly government money was "like a closure at last".
Coal slurry slid on to the village school and 18 homes in October 1966, killing 116 children and 28 adults.Coal slurry slid on to the village school and 18 homes in October 1966, killing 116 children and 28 adults.
A grant of £1.5m will be spent on the upkeep of the garden and cemetery where many of the victims are buried, and on graves of victims elsewhere.A grant of £1.5m will be spent on the upkeep of the garden and cemetery where many of the victims are buried, and on graves of victims elsewhere.
Another £500,000 will fund local school projects which commemorate the disaster.Another £500,000 will fund local school projects which commemorate the disaster.
Speaking at the memorial garden, which was built on the site of Pantglas Junior School, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said it was "overwhelmingly the right thing for the people of Wales to do".Speaking at the memorial garden, which was built on the site of Pantglas Junior School, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said it was "overwhelmingly the right thing for the people of Wales to do".
He said: "I believe that by this announcement today we are ensuring that those who live in Aberfan, those who come here from all over Wales - all over Britain and all over the world - will see that we are honouring the lost generation of Aberfan in a fit and proper way."He said: "I believe that by this announcement today we are ensuring that those who live in Aberfan, those who come here from all over Wales - all over Britain and all over the world - will see that we are honouring the lost generation of Aberfan in a fit and proper way."
116 children perished in the disaster116 children perished in the disaster
Gaynor Madgewick said she was "delighted" and "overwhelmed" by the announcement.Gaynor Madgewick said she was "delighted" and "overwhelmed" by the announcement.
She said: "People like my parents have struggled to keep the graves maintained. This money will help at last."She said: "People like my parents have struggled to keep the graves maintained. This money will help at last."
The memorial garden charity is now confident its future is more secure.The memorial garden charity is now confident its future is more secure.
Charity chairman David Davies said: "We are facing some significant work before the 50th anniversary and these funds allow us to plan for that with confidence."Charity chairman David Davies said: "We are facing some significant work before the 50th anniversary and these funds allow us to plan for that with confidence."
The Aberfan Educational Charity is promising to fund more and larger projects.The Aberfan Educational Charity is promising to fund more and larger projects.
Charity chairman Brian Anderson said the £500,000 was a "huge boost" which would "help provide the children of Aberfan and Merthyr Vale with opportunities both to remember the past but also move on beyond it."Charity chairman Brian Anderson said the £500,000 was a "huge boost" which would "help provide the children of Aberfan and Merthyr Vale with opportunities both to remember the past but also move on beyond it."
we are honouring the lost generation of Aberfan in a fit and proper way First Minister Rhodri Morgan
The grants have been welcomed by all the main political parties.The grants have been welcomed by all the main political parties.
The Liberal Democrats said it was important the lessons of the tragedy were not forgotten and Plaid Cymru said it was vital the Aberfan community was involved in the education projects to decide how the money was spent.The Liberal Democrats said it was important the lessons of the tragedy were not forgotten and Plaid Cymru said it was vital the Aberfan community was involved in the education projects to decide how the money was spent.
The Conservatives said it was essential everything was done to cherish the memory of all those who were lost.The Conservatives said it was essential everything was done to cherish the memory of all those who were lost.