Eternal Light - National Mining Memorial - Senghenydd, Wales.
N 51° 36.703 W 003° 16.819
30U E 480590 N 5717890
The National Mining Memorial & Universal Colliery Memorial Garden. Features an Eternal Light, in the form of an Edwardian gas lamp. The Memorial gardens are located in Senghenydd, Caerphilly, South Wales.
Waymark Code: WMPM1X
Location: South Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/17/2015
Views: 5
The Welsh National Mining Memorial & Universal Colliery Memorial Garden. Features an Eternal Light proudly standing near the entrance of the gardens. The eternal flame, only just visible to the naked eye, in bright sunlight is encased within a vintage gas lamp post.
The text on the plaque reads:
" THE ETERNAL LIGHT "
To the Miners, trapped deep underground,
& trying to make his way to safety,
a light in the distance indicated that there was hope & salvation.
This Edwardian Gas Lamp represents that
"Eternal Light"
For all miners who never made it to safety.
"MAY IT ALWAYS LIGHT THEIR WAY"
The gardens also feature at its center, a bronze sculpture depicting a miner leading another to safety. By far the most interesting feature of the memorial garden are the plaques featuring the 152 colliery's & mines from all over Wales where mine disasters, killing more than six people have taken place.
The gardens also feature donated ceramic tiles naming the 520 men & children who died in the Universal colliery disasters.
Senghenydd Mine Disaster - The history of Senghenydd, is the saddest of any town in the British Isles. The Universal Colliery in this small Welsh village was only open for 30 years and two disasters claimed 520 coal miners lives.
"October 2013 saw the opening of the new Welsh National Mining Memorial and Universal Colliery Memorial Garden in Senghenydd.
The bronze sculpture entitled ‘The Rescue’ was designed and made by sculptor Les Johnson.
The ceramic name tiles for the Memorial Wall were made at a series of community and school workshops during November 2012. These were led by ceramic artists Ned Heywood and Julia Land from Chepstow and involved all the local Primary Schools of the Aber Valley.
The ceramic pavers documenting each national colliery disaster in Wales were also made by Ned and Julia at their workshop." Text Source: (
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Hours of Operation:
Universal Colliery Memorial Garden - Opening Times:
Winter Opening 1st October – 28th February 9am until 4pm
Summer Opening 1st March – 30th September 9am until 6pm