Gresford disaster
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The Gresford disaster occurred on 22 September 1934 at Gresford Colliery, near Wrexham, when an explosion and underground fire killed 266 men. Gresford is one of Britain's worst coal mining disasters: a controversial inquiry into the disaster did not conclusively identify a cause, though evidence suggested that failures in safety procedures and poor mine management were contributory factors. Further public controversy was caused by the decision to seal the colliery's damaged sections permanently, meaning that only eleven of those who died were recovered.
The memorial on Bluebell Lane, Pandy, incorporating the old pit wheel, commemorating the victims of the Gresford Disaster
Painting in All Saints' Church, Gresford commemorating the disaster, above a book with the names of those who died.
Stafford Cripps, who represented the miners at the inquiry. Cripps was consistently critical of Gresford's management, colliery officials, and the Mines Inspectorate.
Another view of Gresford Memorial, which was unveiled by Charles, Prince of Wales in 1982
Robert Saint
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Robert "Bob" Saint was a British composer, musician and animal welfare activist from Hebburn, South Tyneside, best known for his 1930s brass band composition "Gresford", about the Gresford disaster and known as "The Miners' Hymn". Saint was also a significant campaigner for animal welfare, particularly of pit ponies.
