The Mardy Colliery Explosion

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A new book of the above title was published in the autumn of 2013.

As Christmas 1885 approached preperations were being made for the traditional festivities for that time of year in the small mining community of Maerdy. The women were content that their men were working as normal in a colliery that was considered one of those most modern and best ventilated in South Wales. However, on December 23rd an explosion occurred that would riock the village and claim the lives of 81 men and boys.

This book, through newspaper reports of the time tells a vivid story of the explosion itself, the rescue attempts afterwards, and the inquest that would try to find out how it had occurred and if anyone was to blame.

For anyone interested in the history of Maerdy or the South Wales Coal industry of that period, this book will be an absolute treat.

The Mardy Colliery Explosion is available from the Pontypridd Museum or by contacting the author at garethahhriscoal@yahoo.co.uk.