Tyrone O'Sullivan comes to Tenby on Saturday, May 17, as promised as soon as he could following the hectic weeks in February, when Tower Colliery closed.

He led the 220 miners, who pooled their redundancy money and savings to buy the Tower Colliery in 1994. With their money, knowledge and skills, they saved the pit from closure, and their jobs. Many pits were told, as was Tower Colliery, that coal reserves were depleted, and the pits were uneconomical to run.

Tyrone knew otherwise and organised the Tower Miners' Cooperative buy-out of the pit, contrary to the grand plan of the government of the day to close every pit in Britain. From 1995, Tower Colliery produced and sold thousands of tons of good quality anthracite coal to world-wide markets. Tower Colliery was not only a financial success, but ensured that valuable mining skills were retained. It took over 13 years of coal production to exhaust the coal reserves left in the ground - the coal they had been told was not there.

Tower Colliery began producing coal in 1808 until it closed in January 2008. Four generations of Tyrone's family worked in mining, not without some tragedy, his grandfather and uncles being killed in 1885 in the Mardy Colliery disaster, and his father was killed at Tower Colliery in 1963. Tyrone is a man of great stature, energy and ability, recognised by leaders in many walks of life. His many awards include an OBE, and Honorary Fellowships and Doctorates from Welsh Universities. He served for six years on the board of the former Welsh Development Agency.

At 63 years of age, he doesn't yet plan retirement. The Miners' Cooperative own the colliery site on the mountain at Hirwaun, where under Tyrone's leadership they plan to develop an undertaking which will be of value to the people of the area for generations to come.

Tenby and District Branch of the Labour Party will welcome Tyrone O'Sullivan to speak at 11.30 am on Saturday, May 17 at St. Teilo's Church Hall, Tenby. It will be a unique opportunity to hear this legendary figure in Welsh industrial history, speak about his unusual and interesting life.

It is hoped all those members of the public who intended to hear him speak on the postponed date in February, will once again be able to attend. This event is not just for members, supporters and friends of the Labour Party, a warm welcome is extended to everyone, including students whose studies involve the economic history of Wales.

For further details, please phone Marjorie on (01834) 842604. Members meet from 10.45 am. Public speaker slot 11.30 am.