A PENCADER-based writer is renewing his campaign to establish a “fitting memorial” to the victims of Aberfan following the 50th anniversary of the disaster last week.

Terry Breverton, author of a number of books on Wales, has accused the national media of effectively “airbrushing” the disaster from history.

A total of 116 children and 28 adults were killed when a coal tip collapsed onto Pantglas Junior School on 21 October, 1966.

But Mr Breverton, who was a 20-year-old student at Manchester University when he heard the news over a car radio, maintains the disaster has been all but forgotten.

“We’ve had a few programmes on BBC Wales about the disaster and the ensuing scandal,” he told the Cambrian News.

“However, there was virtually nothing on national television to commemorate 116 infants and 28 adults being wiped out, and the consequent disgusting and disgraceful actions by the Labour government.

“In any other part of Britain, or elsewhere in the world, this could not happen.

“As far as the 50th anniversary commemorations went, the Welsh Labour Government commissioned a Cardiff concert, Cantata Memoria, which was attended by the great and good – and that was it.

“The event has always been airbrushed from history – hardly anyone under 50 has heard of these village children dying, compared to knowing about the Hillsborough disaster where 96 people died.”

Mr Breverton has been trying to gain support for his idea of getting a stainless steel fountain sculpture of 116 weeping teardrops positioned atop 28 larger tears commissioned.

“It would be a lasting memorial – a huge ‘waterfall’ representing the children and adults who were lost,” he said. “I would love to see something like that in a proper memorial garden.

“I’m thinking of trying to start a ‘people’s fund’ after Christmas - nothing to do with politicians.”

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