Guardian
Six Bells Colliery Disaster Memorial
Standing 20 metres high, designed by Sebastien Boyesen, this statue imposes itself on the valley.
The Guardian, a bare chested miner constructed from iron, stands on the former Six Bells Colliery site. As you drive along the valley road from Llanhilleth to Aberbeeg you pass almost at shoulder height. The transparency of the work gives a ghostly impression. Its construction from such heavy metal pieces was difficult and time consuming.
Unveiled before the arms could safely be attached, it still made an imposing figure. Even more so now complete. The names of 45 men including two fathers and their sons, are inscribed in metal around the base.
Explosion, 28 June 1960
On the morning of 28 June 1960 an explosion killed 45 miners, including two
fathers and their sons. The explosion was caused by the ignition of fire damp, a gas known to be present in the pit previously. Men were quoted to have said they had to keep their heads down, otherwise they would be "nodding." It was believed a spark was generated by a quartzite stone falling six feet approximately from the pit roof, exposed by blasting but not immediately supported. This stone struck a metal rail from the coal conveyor. The coal dust in the air then ignited along with the gas.
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| Six Bells Colliery (now demolished) |
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| wild life returns where heavy industry prevailed |
Six Bells Colliery Disaster Memorial
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