Aberfan playground controversy
Residents are protesting against the removal of playground equipment - part of a memorial to the 1966 disaster.
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Battle over Aberfan memorial playground
by Hannah Thomas
A campaign is underway in Aberfan to save a playground built on the site of the school destroyed in the 1966 disaster.
Read the full storyCampaigners: Playground an important part of community
Pam Maybank and Frances Minett, who both remember the Aberfan disaster which decimated the village, say they fear for the future of the memorial playground. It was opened by the Queen in the 1970s. She will return on her Jubilee tour next month, but will see some of the equipment has been removed.
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Memorial playground equipment removed because of health and safety
People living in the village of Aberfan, where 116 children were killed in a colliery disaster in 1966, say they're fighting for that memory to be upheld. They say that a memorial playground has been allowed to fall into disrepair, and equipment has been removed for health and safety reasons.
– Merthyr Tydfil County Borough CouncilFollowing an independent inspection of the equipment in this playground, the item referred to was deemed to be dangerous and could result in injury. Consequently, in the interest of health and safety, the item had to be removed. The budget for replacement playground equipment was removed twelve years ago under a Labour Council and replacements have been funded through Biffa resources allocated to individual wards. Given the importance of play the Independent Administration has instructed officers to bring forward a report for consideration by Council.