The centenary of the tragic Senghenydd Mining Disaster, which claimed the lives of over 430 men and boys in October 1913 in South Wales will be recalled at a special concert led by Shipston Band this weekend.

Bereaved

The concert will be made all the more poignant as 100 years ago the then Shipston on Stour Town Band raised funds for the bereaved families, with their efforts gaining a great deal of national acclaim.

Such was the generosity that the Bandmaster of the Senghenydd Band, Mr William Turner, sent a letter to the British Bandsman newspaper which was later published both locally and nationally.

Brother Bandsmen

In it he thanked Shipston on Stour Town Band, and what he called ‘Brother Bandsmen’ for the amount of £2 17 shillings which was shared between the bereaved families following a collection taken as the band paraded their own streets.

In must be remembered that despite the resulting official enquiry finding many faults that could be assigned to the owners and managers of the mine, compensation and fines came to a derisive £24 in total, valuing each miner’s life at just over 1 shilling each — approximately 6p in today’s money.

The Sengenhydd Band lost six bandsmen in the disaster including the band’s founder and his son.

The Sengenhydd Band lost six bandsmen in the disaster including the band’s founder and his son4BR

Concert reminder

This Sunday the current Shipston Band will be joined by Midlands Area champion Jaguar Land Rover for a free concert at which the disaster will be commemorated by the playing of the ‘Miners Hymn’ – ‘Gresford’ as part of their programme.

The hymn was written by Robert Saint after the infamous Gresford Mining Disaster of 1934 where 234 miners perished.