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aberfan
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farmcottage
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aberfantoday
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The national Coal Board took money from the disaster fund, to remove
the tip !. Although they were forced to pay this back later.
Blame for the disaster rests upon the National Coal Board. This is shared,
though in varying degrees, among the NCB headquarters, the South Western
Divisional Board, and certain individuals. … The legal liability of the NCB to
pay compensation of the personal injuries, fatal or otherwise, and damage to
property, is incontestable and uncontested.
The Aberfan Disaster touched the hearts and consciences of not only
Britain but the World. The loss of so many young lives, together
with the underlying suspicion that this was the price of years of
cheap coal, led to a widespread anxiety to do something to help. The
Mayor of Merthyr immediately launched a Disaster Fund to aid the
village and bereaved. Donations flooded in out of sympathy, grief
and guilt. By the time the Fund closed in January 1967, nearly
90,000 contributions had been received, totalling £1,606,929. The
Fund's final sum was approximately £1,750,000. In 1997 pounds this
represented approximately £17.5 million.
From its outset the Fund faced difficulties. Its legal status was
unclear and there were fears that any money it gave out immediately
could influence future compensation claims against the NCB. Yet the
provisional committee, largely consisting of members of Merthyr
Tydfil Borough Council and other local dignitaries, decided to pay
out some money forthwith to those affected. As the Fund grew, so too
did the worries of the village and donors over how the money would
be used. The minimal representation the village had on the
provisional committee added to the concern and disquiet. Media
exaggerations of the split that existed between the committee and
the village fuelled the flames. Some donors wanted the entire fund
to go to the bereaved, others felt that it should benefit the wider
community, a few that it should be used to remove the remaining
tips.
Aberfan Coal Mines
Slag Heap Shale
Cracks Land Slide
Farm Cottage
Pantglas School
Tribunal Ncb
Fund
Aberfan Today |
