4BR has been informed that there has been an encouraging response from bands, especially from mining communities, to help commemorate the centenary of the 1913 Senghenydd Mining Disaster later this year.

Perform

It is hoped that bands will take the opportunity to play the miner’s hymn, ‘Gresford’ near to, or at, former coal mine locations on Sunday 13th October, as an act of solidarity and commemoration of a disaster that claimed the lives of 439 men and boys.

The initiative has been spearheaded by adjudicator David Read MBE and Ian Brownbill with local and national press coverage already starting to show that the anniversary will attract extensive local, regional and national media coverage.

Contact media

Bands are being encouraged to contact media outlets from local newspapers to regional television news programmes to try and highlight the important connection that still exists between the banding movement and the mining communities throughout the UK.

Recently, Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party, opened an exhibition in the House of Commons to commemorate the disaster, whilst a week-long exhibition has already been seen by hundreds of visitors4BR

House of Commons

Recently, Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party, opened an exhibition in the House of Commons to commemorate the disaster, whilst a week-long exhibition has already been seen by hundreds of visitors.

Meanwhile, local filmmakers have won a prestigious Royal Society for Television award the 15 minute film ‘The Mourning of the Valley’ which was produced by students at Newport University.

It is also hoped that the disaster will be commemorated in some way at the National Championship Finals at the Royal Albert Hall which takes place on the 12th October.