Candour and Communities
- Invisible Enemy
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
On Tuesday 3rd of March 2026, we were privileged to speak at the Candour and Communities event with Jeff Edwards OBE DL, a survivor of the Aberfan disaster and Professor Helen Stalford of the Centre for People's Justice.
The event was held at the Orbit Business Centre in Merthyr Tydfil, which is approximately 5 miles from Aberfan.
The event was very emotional. Jeff's speech, recalling his time as an 8-year-old in the Aberfan disaster, was very moving; his drive and determination to ensure that victims of disasters are treated fairly and with compassion are empowering.
The Orbit Business Centre not only housed the launch of the Charter for Families Bereaved by Public Tragedy last March but is also located near Aberfan, and features artworks reflecting on the 1966 disaster and its impact on the local community. Candour & Communities' stint at the Orbit Business Centre coincided with an event held on 3 March for local magistrates, councillors, and community charities to launch a series of events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.
The exhibition showcases 15 injustices through panels, showing each scandal, cover-up and injustice. You can find out more about the tour by visiting
The event was introduced by Professor Helen Stalford, who has been the driving force behind the exhibition, ensuring that it is shown across the UK.
Hillsborough Law is extremely important to everyone in the UK, especially for anyone who has suffered an injustice by the UK Government.
It provides a Duty of Candour, which compels civil servants and officials to tell the truth or face criminal charges. It also provides parity for legal representation; no longer can the state use unlimited funds to defend legal cases.
Alan Owen then spoke on behalf of the Nuclear Community, explaining the history of the British Nuclear testing program and how the effects of the testing program have impacted the community, and the continued denial of any responsibility by the UK Government continues to this day.
He also presented the audience with a coconut which had been sent back from Christmas Island in 1957 by Gerry Rogers, symbolising a different time, a time when the world was experimenting with nuclear weapons.
Jeff Edwards concluded the event with an incredibly emotional and powerful speech about his experience as an 8-year-old boy who survived the Aberfan disaster and the effect that it had on him and his family.
Many of his friends died that day, including his best friend, with whom he walked to school. His bravery, strength and courage to talk about it were incredible. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the disaster, and with it comes renewed media interest. Jeff spoke about wanting to continue raising awareness of the disaster, but he reminded us all of the toll it takes when media ask for interviews from those who have not completed their research, how he copes with it, and the need for understanding.
It is hard to imagine what he went through on that day, buried, listening to the screams of his classmates that slowly faded as they died, being pulled out a few hours later and taken to the hospital, returning to a village that would never be the same.
Jeff spoke about the initial denial from the National Coal Board, the accusations that it was the miners' fault and then the eventual admission from the authorities that mismanagement and gross incompetence were responsible for the disaster.
Our community has experienced the denial, the secrecy and the cover-ups for the past 74 years; we are not alone. The other organisations that form this exhibition all have a common theme: they have all been denied justice.
We would encourage everyone to see the exhibition, and a full schedule of events is listed on their website:
We will be bringing the exhibition to the All-Tests Reunion in Weston-Super-Mare this year. If you are unable to travel, a digital version of the exhibition can be viewed online:
We would like to thank Orbit Business Centre for hosting the exhibition and the event, especially Lucia Jones, for her hospitality. The Centre for People's Justice, that has constructed an incredible resource. Jeff Edwards for his incredible testimony and bravery. The Hillsborough Law Campaigners for their commitment, and Steve Purse for representing LABRATS at the Hillsborough Law events.
The world is changing, and the truth will be heard; no longer can these injustices be buried.
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