The Six Bells Mining Disaster

In Memoriam

Fifty years ago there was a mining disaster in the Six Bells Colliery in South Wales. Forty five men died in an explosion. In remembrance of the tragedy, a metal statue of a miner (20 metres high) has been erected on the colliery site. Also in Bethany Baptist Chapel, which stands just a short distance from the gate that leads to the memorial, there is a small display to remember the fallen. In honour of the anniversary, and to coincide with the opening of the display in Bethany, I have written a tract which will be given to all visitors to the Bethany memorial. The text of the leaflet is as follows:

We will remember them

I come from a Rhondda mining family as does my wife. My father was a miner as was his brother and also my father-in-law. I too worked in the coal industry, although not underground. So I was always aware of the cost of coal. The price paid in terms of health – there was hardly a collier that did not fight for breath in later life – they always struggled against the old enemy – pneumoconiosis. And many paid the ultimate price in terms of loss of life. Some of the disasters in the South Wales coal field are etched into the national consciousness. 439 lost their lives in Senghenydd in 1913, and Ferndale paid a price in 1867 losing 178 men in an explosion, and then a further 53 two years later.

But the explosion on 28th June 1960 was totally unexpected. 45 men died in the West District of the Old Coal Seam of the Six Bells colliery. The tragedy rocked the village – the whole community were called upon to pay a price – those that survived as well as those that died. Death had come unexpectedly! The Memorial now erected on the colliery site is fitting – a miner with his hands extended, apparently asking ‘Why?’

And this question is often on the lips of those that consider the ultimate questions of life and death. There are no easy or ready answers. A minister in London was seeking to comfort those that had lost relatives during the blitz in London, when he was asked a very direct question: “Where was your God when my son was killed?” He replied to the grieving mother as tenderly as he could: “He was in the same place as He was when His own Son was killed”. The answer would not have satisfied the bereaved woman at the time, but it did point her to a God who could sympathise with her condition. Also, it would have highlighted the central message of Christianity – that Jesus, God’s Son, paid the ultimate price for the benefit of others. He died that we might live. We all have to die – it is the price that has to be paid for our sins. As the Bible teaches, “... the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23, NIV).

But there is life after death – eternal life – life where we die no more. This wonderful benefit is freely available to all – on one condition - acceptance of Jesus, God’s Son, as Saviour. God the Father has made it very clear. He will bestow everlasting life on those who choose His Son. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV). Why such a condition? This brings us back to the death of Jesus – why did He have to die? The answer is also in the Bible. “... Christ died for our sins .” (1 Corinthians 15:3, NIV)

Our many sins require a punishment – not only physical death but also spiritual death. However, Jesus died to take our punishment on Himself. He died as our substitute. If we accept that fact, then we can be adopted into His family and have eternal life. “... to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God .” (John 1:12, NIV)

The memorial to the miners standing on the Six Bells colliery site is magnificent – but another fitting memorial to the sacrifice of others would be for us to acknowledge that Jesus also died for us - paying the ultimate sacrifice for the ultimate blessing. I ask you to consider taking Jesus as your Saviour - please make an early decision. Remember – death comes unexpectedly!