A PERMANENT memorial, planned to commemorate almost 180 people who died in a colliery explosion in 1890, has received around £6,500 in donations to bring it to fruition.

On February 6, 176 men and boys were killed in a gas explosion at the Llanerch colliery in Abersychan, with schoolchildren marking the 127th anniversary earlier this month.

The Friends of the Llanerch Memorial Fund have confirmed that replica pit-head winding gear will be installed at the site, once the funding has been achieved and planning proposals approved.

“It has been agreed that the memorial will be a replica pit-head winding gear, with a plinth around the base inscribed with the names and ages of the dead as well as four information boards and benches, surrounded by a wild flower meadow, or similar, according to advice from countryside experts,” said Ken Clark, the group’s chair.

“We have ascertained that the land is owned by different organizations but Torfaen County Borough Council’s Planning Department have offered to draw up a legal document covering the necessary permissions from owners and this will cost £500.00.

The fund has received £2,000 from Abersychan ward member and former mayor, Giles Davies, who selected it as one of his chosen charities during his mayoral period.

A further donation of £1,500 has come from Jon Langford, a Pontypool man now living in the USA as well as support from the Christmas Carols Under the Arch event and a DVD on mining.

The fund is also considering applying for status as a charity, which the committee hope will aid its ability to fundraise towards the permanent memorial.

Mr Clark added: “There are many worthy causes trying to raise funds and we recognise the Llanerch Memorial Fund memorial fund comes after some of these worthy causes.

“However, there is support for our fund and we continue to be surprised and pleased at these contributions. Although it has been a quiet period during the last quarter of 2016, we were given the following donations for which we very grateful.”

For more information, contact Ken Clark on 01495 773073 or ken.clark1@tesco.net.