Very excited to have @AMFoster_ speaking in the final @UrbanHistoryCUP/ @urbanhistgroup seminar of the year on Welsh UDCs and disaster relief funds #urbanhistory #twitterstorians

Dr Foster asks where urban district councils fit in the history of disasters, and where disasters fit in the history of Welsh urban governance in the early twentieth century #urbanhistory

Late 19th and early 20th century Wales saw some of the worst mining disasters in modern British history, including Senghenydd (1913) and Gresford (1934). After both disasters, there was a huge outpouring of support from the public #urbanhistory

Despite generosity of the public, families of the deceased were left much worse off financially if their loved one had lived. Administrators of the funds didn't want there to be a 'windfall'. Women's access to funds were limited, especially if they re-married #urbanhistory

Disasters could compel local gov to go vs. norm & engage in fund-raising. Financial hardship did little to slow the public's generosity. However, Barry UDC stuck between small church funds and large newspaper funds #urbanhistory

Many businesses hesitant to donate to Barry UDC's fund given lack of history in fund-raising. But the council were able to call upon locals to volunteer to distribute leaflets, collect donations, and take part in variety performances #urbanhistory

By the 1930s, it became expected that local councils would establish funds in response to disasters. Through disaster relief funds, urban district councils were attempting to assert their relevance on the national stage #urbanhistory

Lack of a slush funds to pay for leaflets and ephemera a problem for UDCs raising money following disasters. Meant that they had to raise more money to cover these expenses. But UDCs highly popular, and allowed towns to unify behind common goal #urbanhistory