Quarry Explosion 11th Feb 1972

Quarry explosion - Friday 11th February 1972

On 17th February 1972 Sir Anthony Meyer (MP for Flint, West) said in Parliament:“Quarries are a very sore point in Flintshire at present. Last Friday a shattering explosion of the limestone quarry at the village of Dyserth sent huge boulders crashing through roofs and windows in the village. Three schoolchildren were injured in their classroom and a number of cars were totally destroyed. It was a miracle that no one was killed. The people of Dyserth are demanding that no further blasting be allowed at this quarry. It is certainly unthinkable that operations should be resumed there until the most thorough examination, including the most meticulous geological examination of the rock structure, has been most carefully and painstakingly completed. Even then it is, to my mind, most unlikely that the mining company will ever be able to give the people of Dyserth the kind of assurances which will set their minds at rest. Unless it can do so, I ask that all blasting operations at this quarry should cease permanently.”

In February 2020 I recorded Mrs Wenna Williams talking about the quarry explosion. The recording is on my website: www.dyserth.com/quarrying