4. 90-second Statements

– in the Senedd at 3:35 pm on 23 October 2019.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 3:35, 23 October 2019

(Translated)

The next item is the 90-second statements. And the first statement is from Jayne Bryant.

Photo of Jayne Bryant Jayne Bryant Labour

Diolch, Llywydd. This November marks 180 years of the Newport rising, which saw Chartists march from the Gwent valleys to Newport. The shooting of Chartists outside the Westgate Hotel in the centre of Newport, on 4 November 1839, marks a pivotal moment in our democratic history. We have commemorated the events of 1839 in Newport for many years, and it's wonderful to see how much this has grown. This year promises to be the best to date, with a grass-roots festival, which will include film, poetry, readings, live music, talks and, of course, a march. It's particularly special that some of these events will be held in the historic Westgate Hotel. In July this year, the hotel held the first of these events, with the publication of a new graphic novel by Josh Cranton, which was inspired by that march.

On 14 November, I'm looking forward to welcoming young people from schools across Newport to the Senedd, to celebrate the sacrifices, achievements and legacy of the Chartists, to ensure that people, not just in Newport but across Wales, understand our history and the significance. Of course, it's with huge thanks and appreciation to our dedicated volunteers of our Chartist heritage for the work they do, all year round, and I hope that Members and the public will join us to make Newport Rising 2019 the best it can be.

Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 3:36, 23 October 2019

Fifty-three years ago, on the morning of 21 October, a shadow fell on Aberfan. A spoil tip collapsed, killing 116 children and 28 adults. My grandfather, Ken, was one of many hundreds who went to help with the rescue, the only day my grandmother ever remembered him crying. While they worked desperately with shovels, with anything they could find, he said that whispers would spring up that a young boy had been found alive, unharmed, had dusted himself down, and run down the street. It wasn't true, but it kept the rescue workers going, it kept their hope alive on that darkest of days. My grandfather was a Catholic, and he said that, until that day, he had never believed in the devil.

There was a bitter injustice in the wake of this avoidable disaster too. Despite a public inquiry uncovering unforgivable negligence, no criminal proceedings were ever brought, no-one lost their job or received any sanction. But there were also stories of hope, of unbelievable courage; teachers who gave their lives trying to save the children. So when we remember Aberfan, we remember the loss, the betrayal, but we also remember courage and the resilience that that village showed on that day and every day since. We remember Aberfan—53 years that don't lessen the loss.