Aberfan 1966: Disaster, Grief, and William Richardson's Portraits

An account of the 21 October 1966 coal-tip collapse above Aberfan, South Wales, which engulfed Pantglas Primary School and nearby homes and killed 144 people, including 116 children. Through family and survivor testimony, it follows the immediate aftermath, the long silence around grief, and the portraits painted by William Richardson for bereaved families.

■ Disaster and aftermath
- Collapse occurs after morning prayers as children anticipate half-term
- Rescue accounts and family losses, including siblings and classmates
- Community bereavement and limited support for children

■ Portraits and memory
- Artist on the North Wales coast learns of the disaster from news reports
- Portraits produced from school photographs, memories, and clothing details
- Up to 100 portraits made; some later buried with parents

The account focuses on personal testimony and memorial art rather than the technical or political causes of the disaster. It is suited to viewers interested in modern Welsh history, disaster remembrance, and the role of memorial objects in family and community life. Viewing provides testimony-based insight into how one community coped with loss and how portraits became part of private and public memory.