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Remembering Gresford

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On Sunday 22nd September 2024, 90 years will have passed since the fateful disaster at the Gresford Colliery, one of the worst mining disasters in British history. The disaster holds a resonance and significance to this day, not just for the people of Wrexham, but for former mining communities across Wales and the UK.​

NEW Sinfonia is collaborating with Wrexham Miners Project, Wrexham AFC and various organisations and artists across Wrexham to orchestrate a week of remembrance events, marking the 90th anniversary of the Gresford mining disaster.

The Remembering Gresford commemoration aims to bring this emotional story to life, fostering conversation, unity, and helping individuals from all parts of our community connect the Gresford narrative with their own contemporary experiences.

Schedule of Events

Art Exhibition:  2-30 Sept​

Historical Exhibition​:  ​16-22 Sept​

​​​​​​​​Dove Installation​:  16-22 Sept​

​​​​​​​​Youth Education Series​:  19-22 Sept​

Gresford: Up From Underground:  20*, 21, 22 Sept​

Community Concert:​  â€‹20 Sept​

Candle Lighting Vigil:​  21 Sept

An Evening at TÅ· Pawb:​  21 Sept

Services of Remembrance:​  22 Sept

* Schools Only

Featured

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SERVICES OF REMEMBRANCE

Sun 22 Sept - 11:00am

Gresford Colliery Memorial

Bluebell Lane, Pandy

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Sun 22 Sept - 5:00pm

All Saints Church, Gresford

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It is 90 years since the disaster that shook Wrexham and surrounding villages to their very core. The Dennis Section of Gresford Colliery was engulfed by fire when a massive explosion ripped through the mine. 266 men and boys died as a result of the disaster. 

 

An Annual Service of Remembrance has taken place on the 22nd September at 11am to commemorate those who died. Tradition has it that no-one receives an invitation to this service. As on the 60th, 70th, and 80th anniversaries, a service will take place at All Saints Church, Gresford.

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All are most welcome to attend.

 

Friends of the Gresford Colliery Disaster Memorial

​

friendsgcdm@gmail.com

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GRESFORD: UP FROM UNDERGROUND

Fri 20th Sept* - 1:00pm

Sat 21st Sept - 8:00pm

Sun 22nd Sept - 8:00pm

​ *Schools Only​

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St Giles Church, Wrexham

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Thu 12th Sept 5:30 & 8:00pm

​ â€‹

​​St Asaph, Cathedral, St Asaph

​​​

NEW Sinfonia’s most ambitious project yet – a brand new community opera with music by Jon Guy and libretto by Grahame Davies, based on the story of the Gresford Mining Disaster and highlighting Wrexham’s strong sense of community both past and present. Also featuring a brand new work from Evrah Rose.

​

NEW Voices, our all-inclusive community vocal ensemble will make up our fantastic Gresford Opera Chorus. Our dedicated singers have been preparing throughout the summer under the guidance of Robert Guy, Ruth Evans, and Jenny Pearson

​

​Our youth music programme, NEW Academi, delivered in partnership with every North Wales Music Service, will allow young musicians to play in our opera performances alongside our professional NEW Sinfonia musicians

​

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YOUTH EDUCATION SERIES

Thurs 19th Sept - Thurs 17th Oct

10:00am-4:00pm (Closed Sundays​)

​​

TÅ· Pawb, Wrexham

 

Wrexham University Civic Mission Team is working with local primary schools across Wrexham to deliver a workshop on the Gresford Colliery Disaster, to support the engagement of young people with local history. Pupils will learn about the disaster, the lives lost, and the impact on the wider Wrexham community. They will then produce a piece of artwork based on the disaster, using materials such as charcoal and copies of newspapers from the time, which will then be displayed in an exhibition in Ty Pawb on the dates above.

 

Free Entry

Remembrances

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SERVICES OF REMEMBRANCE

Sun 22nd Sept

​

11:00am

Gresford Colliery Memorial

Bluebell Lane, Pandy

​

5:00pm

All Saints Church, Gresford

​​

It is 90 years since the disaster that shook Wrexham and surrounding villages to their very core. The Dennis Section of Gresford Colliery was engulfed by fire when a massive explosion ripped through the mine. 266 men and boys died as a result of the disaster. 

 

An Annual Service of Remembrance has taken place on the 22nd September at 11am to commemorate those who died. Tradition has it that no-one receives an invitation to this service. As on the 60th, 70th, and 80th anniversaries, a service will take place at All Saints Church, Gresford.

​​​

All are most welcome to attend.

​

Friends of the Gresford Colliery Disaster Memorial

​

friendsgcdm@gmail.com

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CANDLE LIGHTING VIGIL

Sat 21st Sept

6:00pm

​​

Miners Rescue Project

3 Maesgwyn Rd, Wrexham

​

At 6pm on the 21st September 1934 the miners of Gresford descended into the pit to begin their fateful shift underground. To mark the anniversary the Wrexham Miners Centre will light 266 candles, each shaped like a Davy Lamp, in memory of each life lost.

 

All our welcome to come, reflect and commemorate this this moment. At 2:08am on the 22nd each candle will be extinguished.

 

Free Entry

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DOVE INSTALLATION

Mon 16th Sept - Sun 23rd Sept

10:00am-4:00pm

​

St Giles’ Church, Wrexham

​​

Situated in the heart of Wrexham City Centre, St Giles’ Church has long been a focal point for worship, sanctuary and remembrance for the people of Wrexham.

 

To commemorate the lives of those who tragically lost their lives in the Gresford Disaster, the church will create 266 flying doves, imprinted with the names of each mine worker, and dramatically cascade them down the inside of the church tower.

 

Free Entry​​

Performances

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COMMUNITY CONCERT

Fri 20th Sept

7:30pm-9:30pm

 

St Giles Church, Wrexham

​

A Concert filled with local musical stars to raise funds to support the renovation of the Miners Rescue Centre. ‘Help save a building built to save lives’.

​​

Performers:

The Fron Male Voice Choir

Llay Welfare Brass Band

Clywedog Steel Pans

City of Wrexham Brass Band

​

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GRESFORD: UP FROM UNDERGROUND

Fri 20th Sept* - 1:00pm

Sat 21st Sept - 8:00pm

Sun 22nd Sept - 8:00pm

* Schools Only

​​

St Giles Church, Wrexham

​​

Thu 12th Sept 5:30 & 8:00pm

​ â€‹

​​St Asaph, Cathedral, St Asaph

​

NEW Sinfonia’s most ambitious project yet – a brand new community opera with music by Jon Guy and libretto by Grahame Davies, based on the story of the Gresford Mining Disaster and highlighting Wrexham’s strong sense of community both past and present. Also featuring a brand new work from Evrah Rose.  Joined by the community choir NEW Voices and NEW Academi youth orchestra.

.

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An Evening at TÅ· Pawb

Sat 21st Sept

Doors at 7:00pm

 

TÅ· Pawb

 

An evening of live music featuring bands from mining communities from Wrexham and Durham at TÅ· Pawb, Wrexham’s award winning, cultural community resource.

Exhibitions

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ART EXHIBITION

Mon 2nd Sept - Mon 30th Sept

10:00am-4:00pm  (Closed Wed & Sun)

​

The Drawing Board

17 Lord Street, Wrexham

​

The Drawing Board is a unique and independent gallery in Wrexham. They display a diverse array of art and crafts by local artists.

​​

Drop in to explore a specially created exhibition of artwork to commemorate the Gresford Disaster and to discover their other regular workshops and events.​

​

Free Entry

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HISTORICAL EXHBITION

Mon 16th Sept - Sat 21st Sept

10:00am-3:00pm

​​

Miners Rescue Project

3 Maesgwyn Rd, Wrexham

​​

​Learn about the first hand experiences of those affected by the Gresford Mining Disaster and its lasting legacy today. Come along to the Miners Rescue Project to explore this special 90th anniversary historical exhibition.

 

The Miners Rescue Project has been working hard to save ‘The Rescue’ building since 2019, bringing 40% of it back to use. It now exists as a vital resource for the local community.

​

Free Entry

 

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YOUTH EDUCATION SERIES

Thurs 19th - Sun 22nd Sept

10:00am-4:00pm

​

TÅ· Pawb, Wrexham

 

Wrexham University Civic Mission Team is working with local primary schools across Wrexham to deliver a workshop on the Gresford Colliery Disaster, to support the engagement of young people with local history. Pupils will learn about the disaster, the lives lost, and the impact on the wider Wrexham community. They will then produce a piece of artwork based on the disaster, using materials such as charcoal and copies of newspapers from the time, which will then be displayed in an exhibition in Ty Pawb on the dates above.

 

Free Entry

Funders

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Affiliates​

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Sponsors​

 

PHILIP CARNE - General

HADLOW EDWARDS - Opera

WREXHAM UNIVERSITY - Schools

VIOVLYN - NEW Voices

HIGGI - NEW Academi 

Partners

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