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Marilyn Brown’s family had a close connection to Pantglas School during the tragic events, as both of her children attended there. Tragically, her daughter Janette lost her life, while her son was saved thanks to the quick actions of a teacher. Brown recounted how she and her son had unknowingly passed each other on the way to the school that day, never realizing at the time that Janette would not survive. “I didn’t think Janette would die. In my mind, she was still alive,” she shared. She described how she found herself standing with other women near the school after rushing there from her home.
In an interview with the BBC, Brown revealed that Janette had been reluctant to attend school that morning, but both she and her husband insisted that she go. After watching her children walk up the street to school, Brown went inside to have a cup of tea. It was only moments later when her nephew came running down the street, urging her to return to the school immediately because “something had gone wrong.” She ran barefoot up the street and then waited anxiously, unaware at that time of the full scale of the tragedy. “We didn’t realise then the children had died,” she said. Brown reflected on the enduring impact of the disaster, expressing hope that it will always be remembered. “It’s still there. It’ll never go away, and I hope people will remember, and they have today.”
Meanwhile, on Monday morning, pupils from Caegarw Primary School in nearby Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, visited the memorial garden built on the site of the former Pantglas School. The children were unaware that the prime minister would also be visiting the memorial that day. During the visit, the prime minister spoke with several pupils, including Ellis, aged 10, whose grandfather had traveled across the valley to Aberfan to assist in the rescue efforts following the disaster. “It means a lot to me and he tells me stories,” Ellis said, reflecting on the emotional experience of visiting the memorial garden.
Another pupil, Holly, also 10, shared with the prime minister her personal family connection to the catastrophe. Her godmother’s daughter had been one of the children who died in the disaster. Holly recounted the prime minister’s reaction, stating, “He said ‘wow’. It means a lot for us to be here.” After spending time at the garden, the prime minister also took the opportunity to speak with local residents before moving on to the nearby community centre. The forthcoming anniversary visit by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Prince William is anticipated on Wednesday, continuing a tradition of royal visits to the town. Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last year, had visited Aberfan on eight occasions, with her response to the disaster said to be one of the most profound regrets of her 70-year reign
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