Crowds pay tribute during Gresford Mining Disaster remembrance service

An annual service to remember those who tragically lost their lives in the Gresford Mining Disaster was held this morning.

Crowds gathered at the Gresford Mining Wheel in Pandy to take part in the commemorations and pay their respects to all those died in the disaster on September 22 1934.

Led by Reverend Huw Butler, this morning’s ceremony featured prayers and tributes to the victims of the Gresford Mining Disaster.

On September 22nd 1934 an explosion of the Dennis shaft took the lives of 266 Wrexham men- leaving hundreds of families across the area without their fathers, husbands, uncles, grandfathers and sons.

Only 11 bodies were ever recovered. 255 men still lay beneath Wrexham to this day.

Speaking after the event, Gresford Councillor, Andrew Atkinson said: “It was a very good and very moving service and as always I’m very grateful to everyone that makes it happen.

“I’m very impressed with Charlie’s Car Wash, the business opposite the memorial on the site, every year they suspend their operation to stand respectfully for the Gresford Disaster Memorial Service and it’s even more impressive on what was clearly a very busy Saturday for them.

“I’d like to thank them for being so decent and respectful.”