The Hennessys, Frank Hennessy and Dave Burns, are a well known Cardiff folk group who have
won many friends both in Wales and outside since their inception in 1969. BBC Television viewers
will recognise their rousing style of playing from their many appearances on 'Disc A Dawn' and the
network series 'The Singing Barn', and delight once again in the immediate appeal made by their
singing.
Frank and Dave were born in Cardiff of Irish descent. With that kind of background their eventual
success in the field of folk music could hardly be doubted. When this year's miners strike was first
announced they were both determined to make what contribution they could to the cause of the
Welsh miner. 'We have always' they maintain 'been conscious of the great financial aid given by
the miners of Wales to the Irish Transport and General Workers when their Union was threatened
by the employers in 1913. We hope that in making this record we' can in some small way repay the
miners for their support and generosity at that time'.
The title song, 'Who will cast a Stone' was written by Frank Hennessy especially for the 1972 Strike
and clearly illustrates the sympathy and admiration he has for the miners and their cause. 'Farewell
to the Rhondda' is another of Frank's songs. This time he views with sadness and great poignancy
the plight of the miner without work who is forced to leave home and family in search of a living. 'The
Halfpenny Strike' looks back to 1910 and another mining struggle when troops were sent to Tonypandy
against the striking men. The last song is already a classic. 'The Gresford Disaster' tells of the explosion
at the Gresford Colliery near Wrexham on the twenty-second of September, 1934 in which two hundred
and sixty five men lost their lives. At a time when the wages of miners are being disputed it may remind
some of the real price of coal.
Ray Smith
