Miners Memorials in Llanhilleth & Six Bells

Memorial, situated below horseshoe bend Llanhilleth

The Llanhilleth Miners Memorial is quite difficult to find unless you know where to look. It sits inside the curve of "horseshoe bend," and can be accessed via a ramp from the other side of the road, (near the old Pithead Baths.)

A replica of a pinhead, the area has been landscaped with trees and paths, a quiet place to sit and think of the local history.

‘Guardian,’ The Six Bells Miners Memorial

On 28^th June 2010 on the former colliery site, a Commemorative Service was held with Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, marking the fiftieth anniversary of the 1960 mining disaster in which 45 men lost their lives in an explosion 300m below ground.   The ‘Guardian,’ towering over the valley, was dedicated as the Six Bells Miners Memorial.   A series of activities followed a special service at 10.30am.   

The mine was originally sunk in 1892 by John Lancaster & Co. and re-opened in 1936 by Partridge Jones and John Paton.   After nationalisation, Six Bells Colliery was finally demolished in 1989. 

With the help of Six Bells Communities First, work commenced for the new memorial in March 2010.   It replaced a sandstone pillar which had sadly eroded over time.   The site is in the process of being made into a useable recreational space incorporating picnic areas, walkways, seating, and a cycle path linking Llanhilleth with Abertillery.

‘Guardian’ is twenty metres high and was designed by the artist and sculptor Sebastian Boyesen after spending two years visiting and listening to stories of the disaster.   The statue stands 12m high on a 7.4m plinth of stone, with the names of those killed, inscribed on a metal band. It also includes their nicknames, ages and town.

The sculpture of a miner, solid yet ghostly, has been created by a complex process of welding layers of thousands of fabricated ribbons of core 10 steel.  With arms outstretched he is asking the question "Why?"

Ebbw Fach Trail

The ‘Guardian’ is part of the 16km Ebbw Fach cycle and walking trail.  Twenty points of interest from Llanhilleth Institute in the south to Brynmawr and district Museum in the north can be visited along its length.
   

The Ebbw Fach valley, once an important industrial centre for the iron and coal industry, has had  extensive environmental landscaping and now offers woodland and riverside walks, stunning views, outdoor classrooms as well as opportunities for fishing.  

 Information can be obtained from Alyson Tippings, the Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Tourism Officer on 01495 355937, Out of hours contact Connect 2BG 01495 311556.