Digging deep to restore this historic miners’ hall
£250k wishlist to create a ‘wellbeing’ centre
ONCE a proud hub for pit folk, this old miners’ hall has fallen into a sad state of disrepair.
To make matters worse, the oncebeautiful building, which has a leaking roof, was targeted by vandals, who ripped up paving and smashed windows.
An estimated £250,000 is needed to restore the “Stute” – Cefn Fforest Miners’ Welfare Hall and Institute – to what was its former glory.
Committee member Marina ChaconDawson said: “It isn’t in a very good state but some of the features are incredible.
“We’d love to restore the feature window on the staircase and the front door had an archway that needs replacing, it was gorgeous.
“It used to be a brilliant building and it needs to be saved. It has too much historical value.”
The Friends of Cefn Fforest Miners’ Institute are one of dozens of groups bidding for a grant from the Mirror.
We have teamed up with the Pride of Britain fund to give away £100,000 to community projects – 50 organisations will each get £1,000, while 20 good causes will each receive £2,500.
The entries are pouring in from youth clubs, support groups, food and baby banks, small charities and more.
The Friends group was set up a couple of years ago by locals in Caerphilly,
South Wales. Marina, who has a degree in psychology, said they are hoping it can be transformed into a community hub focussing on wellbeing. “We already have a community centre and a leisure centre but we haven’t got a wellbeing centre. Residents seemed to love it,” she said. “We want to enhance existing facilities in the local community and improve people’s wellbeing. “Ideas include yoga, meditation, craft classes, a radio suite and baby clinic. Occupational courses will help people find the right job for them.” Miners’ institutes were once the focus of working class communities, serving as libraries and reading rooms and a place of recreation. Pit closures swept the UK but many “Stutes” were later revived to serve a different purpose.
The Cefn Fforest Miners’ Institute is described by ex-miner Nat Thomas as being “one of the best in South Wales” in its heyday.
Built by money granted by the Miners’ Welfare Fund, it was completed in 1931.
The Friends have applied for charitable status and are bidding to take over the lease for the building, which is owned by the local council.
“We want it restored with many of its original features,” said Marina. “It’s too beautiful for us to lose – it can help us improve the community for everybody.”