It was today, 21st October, 55 years ago that 116 children and 28 adults were killed in the village of Aberfan. After days of torrential rain the colliery spoil or 'slag' heap that towered over the village slid down to engulf Pantglas Junior School and near-by houses. The village lost a generation.
That summer 31 year old Dennis Potter and his family had moved back to the Forest of Dean and on news of the events in Wales he was dispatched by the journal New Society to report on the aftermath. His report published a few days later on the 27th is a masterpiece. It captures the subtle nature of shock and grief he perceives amongst the residents of the town, and the families of those killed. It is full of empathy but as ever with Potter's writing it is never mawkish. It is suffused instead with controlled and directed rage: Rage at God, rage at the national Coal Board, rage at the government:
That summer 31 year old Dennis Potter and his family had moved back to the Forest of Dean and on news of the events in Wales he was dispatched by the journal New Society to report on the aftermath. His report published a few days later on the 27th is a masterpiece. It captures the subtle nature of shock and grief he perceives amongst the residents of the town, and the families of those killed. It is full of empathy but as ever with Potter's writing it is never mawkish. It is suffused instead with controlled and directed rage: Rage at God, rage at the national Coal Board, rage at the government:
"If only the so-called socialists who run this ugly country would yap less about their glorious heritage and do a damned site more to remove the inglorious legacy which is still rammed down so many people's throats every time they open their mouths to breathe"
The article is just one of the many examples of Potter's journalism reproduced in The Art of Invective: Selected Non-Fiction 1953-94 published by Oberon books. This important contribution to Potter scholarship was brought together by editors Ian Greaves, David Rolinson and John Williams. Potter's own hand-written drafts (all 4 of them) of his report on Aberfan are part fo the incredible Dennis Potter Archive held at the Dean Heritage Centre in the Forest of Dean. This and other items in the collection are available to view by appointment. Explore the catalogue and book your visit here.
