BBC announces special programmes to mark 60 years since Aberfan disaster

BBC Cymru Wales has commissioned a season of content across television, radio, news and online services to mark the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster this October. The collapse of a coal waste tip above the village engulfed a school and neighbouring homes on 21 October 1966, claiming 144 lives, including 116 children. Garmon Rhys, Interim Director of BBC Cymru Wales, said: “60 years after the tragedy that claimed 144 lives and left an enduring impact on the village of Aberfan and communities across Wales, this commemorative season will bring together first-hand testimonies, newly commissioned documentaries, special broadcasts and live performances. The content reflects on the lives lost, the resilience of the community, and Aberfan’s lasting place in our national story.” The television centrepiece is Aberfan: The Village That Fought Back, a 60-minute documentary from BBC Studios Specialist Factual Productions. It tells the story of the campaign that followed the disaster, as the village challenged the National Coal Board and the government of the day and forced the removal of the coal tips that still stood above their homes. Survivors and relatives of those at the forefront of the tip removal campaign take part, some of them speaking for the first time. It will be shown on BBC Two, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer on Monday 19 October at 9pm. Jeanette holding a portrait of her sister Edwina Later the same evening, at 10:40pm, Unseen: The Aberfan Portraits will be broadcast on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer and YouTube. Produced by BBC Wales News and presented by Huw Thomas, it follows the story of an artist from Llandudno who, after the disaster, painted portraits of most of the 116 children who died, using photographs and locks of hair provided by their families. For the first time, relatives share what the paintings have meant to them over the past six decades. BBC Wales News and Network News will report from Aberfan on 21 October, when an official remembrance event is being held. The First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, is attending. BBC News has been publishing special reports, features and first-hand accounts throughout the year, including an interview with the last surviving teacher from Pantglas Junior School, and will continue to do so for the rest of the month. On BBC Radio Wales, Aberfan: From Darkness to Light follows the BBC National Orchestra of Wales as it prepares to perform in Aberfan. Presented by Roy Noble, it explores the development of a new requiem and features rehearsals and interviews with composers Grahame Davies and Paul Mealor. It airs on Friday 23 October on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Sounds. On Sunday 18 October, a special episode of Celebration at 7:30am will feature a reflective service written by Gareth Hill, the son-in-law of a minister who experienced the disaster, including a hymn created to mark the anniversary. At 9am, All Things Considered will speak to Reverend Irving Penberthy, one of the last remaining ministers from the Aberfan disaster, and presenter Jonathan Thomas will also speak to Aberfan survivor Gareth Davies. BBC Radio Wales’ Breakfast programme will report on Aberfan on Wednesday 21 October, with an extended programme to observe the minute’s silence at 9:15am. On BBC Radio Cymru, Aled Hughes will present his programme from Aberfan on 21 October, and a minute’s silence will also be observed at 9:15am. BBC Radio Wales is also curating a collection for BBC Sounds, including the archive podcast Aberfan: Tip Number 7 alongside this year’s newly commissioned content. Manon Steffan Ros at the National Library of Wales BBC Radio Cymru’s arts programme Llwyfan gyda Manon Steffan Ros’ will broadcast from the National Library of Wales on Sunday 18 October at 1pm. The Library has been working with the Aberfan community to create new copies of the Aberfan Book of Remembrance, which records the names of the 144 people who lost their lives on 21 October 1966. Interviewees include the Library’s arts curators, librettists Mererid Hopwood and Grahame Davies, artist and illustrator Jack Lewis, and the cast of The Revlon Girl, a stage play by Neil Anthony Docking. On BBC Radio 4, Aberfan resident Janett Bickley, who was the only child in her street to survive the disaster, will be a guest on Saturday Live with Adrian Chiles on Saturday 17 October at 9am. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales will hold two concerts. Aberfan: From Darkness to Light will take place at the Aberfan Community Centre on Saturday 24 October, followed by Aberfan 60 at Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff on Sunday 25 October. The programme is built around Paul Mealor’s newly commissioned requiem, with words by Grahame Davies, performed with Mark Lewis Jones, Aberfan Schools Choirs, Ynysowen Male Voice Choir and the BBC National Chorus of Wales, alongside music by Anna Clyne, Haydn, Mozart and Vaughan Williams. A full broadcast of the Hoddinott Hall concert will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC NOW website, and on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds, from Thursday 29 October. It will be repeated on BBC Radio Wales on Sunday 1 November.