Bedwas Workmans Hall was built in 1923 at a time when many such enterprises were undertaken throughout the South Wales Coalfield. The finance needed came from several sources, grants from public funds, donations from charities etc but what was significant was that much of it came from the workers themselves.
The iconic phrase ‘’ Miner’s Pennies’’ was coined and the buildings, many were called Institutes, provided a service to their towns and villages that the community made full use of for entertainment and culture. At a time when people made their own entertainment the ‘Stute’ was often the centre of the village activity and the Bedwas Hall was no exception. These buildings hold an important and affectionate place in our history. Bedwas Workmans Hall was the local Cinema from before the ‘Talkies’ came into being and live concerts, theatrical shows, and dances were frequently held there. It quickly became the place where meetings and conferences were held and much of the historic Trade Union activity of that time was organised there.
The building itself is now in need of major refurbishment. It is owned by the Community Council and run by a voluntary Management Committee. They are seeking funding from whatever sources we can identify so that we can restore and improve the Hall to give it back its former glory. It is still very well used , by our schools and the initiative behind this Bid comes from Bedwas High, near neighbours who would benefit enormously from the facility, as would the many other organizations who are users, and there is no reason to doubt that the demand for its facilities is going to diminish. The Hall has a potential seating capacity of around 500 and is situated in a central position, convenient for a large part of the population. Its future is sustainable but we need capital expenditure.
They have put forward a Bid of £40K to the Big Lottery Peoples Millions for the installation of up-to-date facilities in order to create a modern theatre so that our schools and theatre groups can exercise their undoubted talents, and also to attract professional productions. The Bid has successfully progressed to the last eight from about one hundred applications and, as is the practice with the People’s Lottery, four will be chosen. Our final success will be determined by a public vote after the Bid is highlighted in a programme to be broadcast on ITV Wales on 24TH November on the Evening News Programme.
