Big cash boost for town hall redevelopment
ALMOST £100,000 has been awarded to the redevelopment of the iconic Maesteg Town Hall.
The funding of £96,800 will be spent on establishing the condition of the 137-year-old building, recording its historic features and developing its design.
Bridgend County Borough (BCB) Council in partnership with Awen Cultural Trust, a registered charity, successfully secured the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
BCB Council’s cabinet member for education and regeneration Councillor Charles Smith said: “A project of this scale requires funding from various sources and we are thrilled that the Heritage Lottery Fund has provided this support so that we can progress to the next milestone in completing a major redevelopment of Maesteg Town Hall.
“There will be a lot of activity in and around the town hall during the next few months and we will be engaging regularly with the local community every step of the way to showcase the designs for this exciting project and answering any queries that they have.”
The funding means preparation work can be completed ahead of the next funding application which will need to be submitted in early 2019.
Awen Cultural Trust chief executive Richard Hughes said: “We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has recognised our vision for the Hall and has asked us to develop our funding application to the next stage, which is a really positive step forward.
“Over the coming months, we will be undertaking further detailed surveys and investigations of the building and firm- ing up the architectural plans to a technical design level. Once again, we’ll be working hand in glove with the user groups who have been so supportive to date.”
A range of community engagement activities to capture the heritage of the hall through the eyes of the people of the Llynfi Valley will also be organised through the funding.
Mr Hughes said: “We will also be working with local groups and individuals to celebrate and share Maesteg’s heritage, history, stories and memories through the interior design of the building.
“We are excited to hear the personal experiences, anecdotes and memories which make Maesteg Town Hall such an important and endearing part of people’s lives, so that we can weave these into the plans for the venue. Look out for the ‘Ein Neuadd, Ein Stori’/Our Hall, Our Story’ project this summer.”
Millions of pounds have already been invested in the building after the first phase of regeneration began in 2003.