An ex-Wigan journalist remembers the Aberfan disaster 60 years on: he was with the Prime Minister at the time

Today marks the 60th anniversary of one of an horrific and shameful episode in British industrial history: the Aberfan disaster.

Commemorations were taking place in the South Wales village where a huge collapsing coal spoil tip engulfed a school and row of homes, claiming 144 lives, 116 of them children.

It would later be revealed that colliery bosses had been warned of such a catastrophe and done nothing about it.

The Prime Minister of the time, Harold Wilson, was visiting Wigan when news broke, prompting a drastic change in mood.

Former Wigan Observer journalist Malcolm Ryding was covering the visit and recalls the day vividly:

“What an exciting day October 21, 1966 was going to be. My first BIG job covering a national event.

“Exciting because Prime Minister Harold Wilson was in Wigan on an official visit to mark Wigan Council building their 10,000th council home. And together with Wigan Observer colleague Geoffrey Shryhane I'd been detailed to follow him.

“Mr Wilson was to make a civic trip through Worsley Mesnes, speak at Scholes, lunch at Haigh Hall, visit an old friend in Up Holland and conclude with a Press conference at Skelmersdale Labour Club.

“The Prime Minister travelled in a luxury coach with the Press back following in another. I remember the excited bystanders continuing to wave to us as we passed the pavement lined crowds - and we waved back. We had a jolly time.

“More crowds joined the civic party in Scholes where Mr Wilson heaped praise on theLabour-controlled Council. The crowds loved him.

“It was at lunch time that the mood of the visit changed.

“At Haigh Hall the civic dignitaries were to enjoy lunch. Geoffrey and I were joined by Observer senior reporter Allan Rimmer for the second half of the visit.

“Excluded from the lunchtime festivities, the press were busy finding local phone facilities to use in sending their “copy” - news stories - across the country. The local reporters spent their time chatting and sticking close to local police officers... Lancashire Constabulary now playing a part in the security detail.

“The crackle of a Panda car radio alerted a Standish patrol officer. His major role starting an unexpected train of events in the Haigh parkland.

“He had been detailed to find the PM's private secretary giving him instructions to contact Number 10 on a secure phone line.

“We realised something serious was happening and I remember national press members returning to the hall with news of the Aberfan disaster.

“A briefing later told us the visit would continue to it's conclusion. I skipped the early afternoon engagements.

“But because the Observer editor, Fred Dove, was the local Press Association correspondent I had to cover the Skelmersdale press briefing and conference.

“Round about 4pm we gathered in the Labour Club. A short wait and the Prime Minster spoke to us. He was detailed in what he knew and what his travel arrangements would be.

“In the press conference which followed his public statements were less revealing. We knew what he knew, I think, but the public were kept in the dark. I then had to make sense if it all for our Press Association 'copy'.

“What happened the rest of the day? Have no memory at all.

“I can only assume it was back home to Standish, sat around the coal fire with mum and dad - mum's birthday cards from the previous day still on the sideboard - and watching the BBC's coverage of the tragedy - a tragedy no-one could truely comprehend in those few short hours since 9.15 that morning.”

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