Welsh church services remember four mine tragedy victims
Friends and family of those who died came together in churches across the Swansea Valley, South Wales, to seek spiritual comfort. The nation’s rugby team dedicated its World Cup win in New Zealand to the families of the four men and the Prince of Wales has agreed to become patron of an appeal fund set up in their memory.
Yesterday people lit candles, wrote condolences and sat in quiet reflection to remember Phillip Hill, 45, Charles Breslin, 62, David Powell, 50, and Garry Jenkins, 39.
Worshippers gathered at St John the Evangelist in Cilybebyll – the church closest to where Thursday’s disaster at the Gleision Colliery happened. In a sermon, the Rev Martyn Perry called on people to put their trust in God — even in difficult times.
“It is easy for us to trust in God when things are going well and life is easy and you can see the pattern.”
Rev Perry said everyone’s thoughts would be with the families of the four men, as well as five-year-old Harry Patterson, from nearby Alltwen, who died in a tragic accident on Tuesday.
“So there are times when it’s difficult and it’s against that particular background when it’s difficult to trust God that we benefit most when we do and receive comfort and help from God,” Rev Perry said.
“So today, that’s what we do. We turn to God and ask for his help because we know that after times are difficult the other better times can come.”
At St David’s Church in Resolven, people came together yesterday to remember the miners – especially Mr Hill, who lived nearby.
Joining the congregation were members of Mr Hill’s family, who took away a candle that had been lit in the church.
A condolence board has been set up in the church where people can write a personal message or light a candle.
