Posted: Thu 18th Sep 2014

Gresford Disaster – 80 Year Anniversary Marked With Exhibition

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Thursday, Sep 18th, 2014

Two special events are in place this month to mark the 80th anniversary of the Gresford Disaster.

The 22nd of September 2014 will mark the 80th anniversary of the Gresford Disaster, which took the lives of 266 men from their local communities in Wrexham.

Wrexham Museum pays tribute to the men and families of Wrexham that kept the wheels of industry turning with an event on Saturday 20 September.

Visitors will be able to listen to the stories of ex miners, watch original film footage and explore fascinating objects and interactive exhibits in the Museum’s Mining Memories exhibition.

Bradley Brass band and Rhos Male Voice choir will also be present to pay tribute in song to the victims.

A new group has also been established, The Friends of Gresford Colliery Disaster, and visitors will be able to find out more about how to join and become involved.

The explosion saw that ripped through the Dennis Section at Gresford colliery on 22 September 1934 killed 266 men. All from local communities around Wrexham. Only 11 bodies were recovered and 255 men still lay beneath Wrexham today.

On Monday 22 September at 11 am the traditional annual memorial service will take place at the Gresford Miners Memorial Wheel and a special service will also take place in Gresford All Saints Church at 2 pm on the same.

Earlier this year British Pathé released its entire collection to YouTube, making more than 85,000 rare 20th Century videos available to the public, many seen for the first time. The footage released included news footage of the Gresford Mining Disaster.

You can view the footage and read previous coverage of the Gresford Mining Disaster here.

The event will take place between 10.30 am and 3.00 pm. Further information is available from Karen Harris on 01978 297467 or [email protected]

Further information about the Museum exhibition and event on 20 September please contact Karen Harris on 01978 297467



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