The Silent Volunteer

In a moving tribute to all those affected by the Aberfan disaster, The Silent Volunteer asks the question, "Have we learnt from our mistakes?"

Lovingly performed by a cast affected by what happened that Friday morning 60 years ago, the play explores the enormous role volunteers played in the aftermath, and how the events of 1966 have continued to shape mining communities ever since.

The Silent Volunteer is a play about voices that have not yet found the words to speak — but who want the world to know the Aberfan disaster was not "an act of God", and that future disasters in former mining areas can and must be prevented.

Avant Cymru presents The Silent Volunteer, a play by Sue Bevan, alongside an exhibition and Q&A in partnership with Coalfield Regeneration.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster, the descendants of the volunteers are opening up a conversation about how this history continues to shape mining communities today — and why remembering, listening and learning still matters.

Content Warning: This play uses facts and verbatim words from volunteers and survivors of the Aberfan Disaster and discusses the cause of death of children.