Opening Ceremony 14 September 1906

Opening Ceremony for the Llanhilleth Miners Institute

The newsprint of those days is very small, and difficult to read, even with modern reading glasses or a magnifying glass, so for those interested, I quote below the very detailed text. This includes details of premises occupied prior to the erection of the Institute building. 
Altogether an interesting article.

The South Wales Gazette, Friday, September 14, 1906 reported:

OPENING OF THE NEW INSTITUTE AT LLANHILLETH

Presentation of a Piano

“The accommodation of the large public hall of the new Institute at Llanhilleth was taxed to the utmost on Wednesday evening on the occasion of the opening ceremony.  The village is to be congratulated upon having at last, after many years of waiting, obtained such an imposing edifice as the new Institute.   The first institution of its kind in Llanhilleth consisted of a library and a billiard room which was provided about ten years ago chiefly through the late Mr Edward Jones, of Snatchwood, Pontypool, who was the first promoter of the scheme.   At that time a keen interest was taken generally in the scheme, but the section of the workmen at the lower end of the district were not quite in sympathy with it.  

“Subsequently, however, it was found necessary to procure larger premises and a place was then rented from Mr Bowen, of Llanhilleth.   These consisted of a reading room, billiard room and a recreation room for games etc.   Later Mr E. Jones, who was then part owner of the Llanhilleth Colliery, was once more approached on the matter when he again renewed a promise which had been made by him previously to the effect that the Colliery Company would contribute as much to the cost of the building as the men.   However, before a proper understanding could be arrived at between Mr Jones and the promoters of the scheme, Mr Jones died, and for a time the scheme fell through, until the Colliery Company took the matter up again independently of Mr Jones, with whom it was almost a personal matter.  

“The Colliery Company made the promoters the handsome gift of £1,000 upon the occasion of the stone laying of the new Institute and a similar sum was received from the workmen, the amount being a surplus fund which had been subscribed by the workmen to the old library committee.   £250 had also been collected, and a loan of £4000 was obtained from the Colliery company (Messrs Partridge Jones and Co. Ltd.)

“The building, which was built to plans prepared by Mr Dan Lloyd, of Llanhilleth, was erected by Mr David Lewis, of Aberbeeg at a cost of £7,000, and consists of a swimming bath 16 ft long by 18ft 6 wide, with dressing rooms attached, and a gymnasium, 40 ft by 16 ft in the basement.   The second floor on which the main entrance is situated, comprises a billiard room, 45 ft by 18 ft containing two billiard tables;  reading room and library, 32 ft by 20 ft;  a secretary’s room and two committee rooms, 15 ft by 12 ft.  

“The top floor consists of the public hall, 70 ft by 47 ft which has accommodation for 900 persons.   At one end of the hall a stage, 18 ft deep, has been erected, the width of the hall, while one third of the length of the room has been utilized for a gallery.   There is also a caretaker’s house attached to the building.   In addition there are two retiring rooms attached to the hall, providing a lavatory and other conveniences.   The whole edifice covers an area of 100 ft by 52 ft.   It is of Romanesque architecture, and built of blue native stone, with red brick and terra-cotta relief.   The portico is of goalting stone.  

“The whole building is lighted by electricity, and is warmed by a hot water low pressure system, the apparatus having been provided and fixed by Messrs Alger and Son of Newport.   At present the Institute is without a caretaker, but one is to be selected shortly by means of ballot, which will take place soon after September 17th.  

“The chief aim of the Institute is the improvement of the men as far as intellect is concerned.   It will also be a place for meetings of every description, especially mass meetings, for which hitherto there has been no accommodation in Llanhilleth.   Further, the building will be used by the young people of the town as a place of recreation whereby they may benefit both morally and intellectually.   The management will be in the hands of a committee of 24, of which Mr Theo. Jones, Llanhilleth is president, and Mr John Rowlands, vice-president.   Mr C B Cook has taken upon himself the duties of secretary, and the treasurer is Mr David Davies.

Mr Theo Jones speech, receiving keys

“In the presence of a large crowd which had assembled round the entrance Mr Dan Lloyd, the architect, handed the keys of the doors to the president, Mr T W Jones, apologising for the absence of the builder, and expressing his pleasure at fulfilling such a duty.

“Mr Jones said that they were there that evening (12 Sept 1906) to perform a ceremony to which they had been looking forward for some twelve months, and one which should have been performed some time ago.   He would keep his speech until they were inside, but he hoped that in opening the Institute that evening they would be opening the door for the young people of the district to reach years of distinction in their future career, by studying and pursuing the literature which they intended to install.   That Institute had not been erected as a playhouse but for the advantage of the rising generation (hear, hear,) and he hoped that their mental faculties would be so cultivated that the generations after them would be pleased to call them blessed for having provided such facilities.   With those few remarks he begged to open the door and declare the institute open.   (Applause.)   Mr Jones then unlocked the door.

Original stone archway, now enveloped within the porch way

“After a selection by the Hafodyrynys brass band, which was present, Mr Jones addressed those present from the platform, and said that on behalf of the committee and members of the institute he tendered to all strangers who were there that evening a hearty welcome to the opening meeting of that institute.   They had had a number of meetings in that hall before, but they were supposed to forget them then.   Many people had asked them why they had put up such an institute in Llanhilleth.   They said that it was not wanted there, and that the population did not require such a place so large as that institute. 

“ In 1896 it was found necessary to start a small library in Llanhilleth.   They all knew the place or those who were there then.   It was thought plenty big enough for the time being, and so it was, and they were able to enjoy games and read in that small place.   But, as time went on, they found that the strike of 1898 came across their path, and almost smote out of existence the small library which they had.   However, they struggled through it and kept alive until October, 1900, when new life was put into the movement by a few words which came from the lips of the late Mr Edward Jones, and it was those few words which set fire to the movement which had almost died a natural death.   They all rose to the occasion and a public meeting was held, and it was decided to make a fresh start.  

“That was at the end of 1900.   Officers were selected, and he was there that night to thank them for having elected him on that occasion as president of the institute.   He had been president for over six years, and he was very pleased to remain president until that day.   They were there, after six years’ hard work, in that hall.   After the strike, to which he had referred, they found it necessary to procure larger premises, and they removed to a house belonging to Mr John Bowen, of Llanhilleth.  

“However, it was soon discovered that a still more extensive building was needed and they began to look out for one which would answer their purpose.   Without making a lot of enquiries they had offers come to them.   Then Messrs. Partridge, Jones & co. Ltd. generously gave them that site – (hear, hear), and, in addition, made them a gift of £1,000 to start them on the road.   (Applause).   To show that they did not take all those good gifts and then lie down and rest, they were there on the free site.   At the same time he wanted them to understand that they had to pay for it, but he hoped they would do their best to do so, and feel that that institute and all the rooms it contained was the pride of Llanhilleth.  

“No one knew what would be the outcome, and no one could tell the advantages that some might derive from within those walls, and people were there that evening with their offspring who would probably go forth from that town into some other part of the world to the benefit of others.   Referring to the strike of 1896, which had almost put their institute at that time out of existence, Mr Jones said that was not the end of the obstacles which they had to surmount.   They had another strike in 1906, and it seemed that to thoroughly understand that those strikes must leave a burden behind them, and it meant that the burden which they had incurred by that institute would not have been incurred if they had had the people in the district to pay for it, but they hoped that with patience and perseverance to get them.

Ceramic urinal discovered on the stair landing (suggests male membership)

  

“One of the greatest benefits to be derived from an institute of that sort was social intercourse.   In all their conversations there was much room for improvement in the way which they put different words in a sentence, and in the way which they approached each other and in the way which they treated each other.   These things made up their lives and if they did not treat each other with respect then they were not creating a proper precedent for the next generation.    As had been said, they intended placing a library within those walls whereby they would learn to respect themselves.   If persons respected themselves they respected others.   In villages where there was no Institute they went to public houses and there they learnt to disrespect themselves and when they disrespected themselves they disrespected everyone else.   He hoped that each young lad, who left school and went to work in that village, would shun gambling and drinking and visit the Institute to spend his spare moments and by doing so keep up the education he had already begun in the day school.  If he did that he would have a desire to rise higher in the world.   He hoped that the parents there that night would take heed to his remarks, and induce their children to read, study, and learn after they had left school.  Both mental and moral improvements would be the outcome of such a course.   If they derived mental and moral improvements, each one would benefit and would cause others to follow their example.   In addition to all those advantages, the Institute provided a means of recreation, and if they were not inclined to study, they might be inclined to benefit by means of recreation.   But the management were not going to tolerate betting or gambling in connection with the Institute.  (Applause.) 

(Author's note: Despite this comment, plans were drawn up in the 1980's for a Betting Office to be erected in the car park below the Institute. This never materialised)

They gave every encouragement for study or recreation, but they would not have gambling.  They had worked hard for the Institute and they did not want it to be the means of dragging the young men from a good moral standard to the depths of gambling, therefore, he wished to impress upon the men and lads to wash their hands of any gambling.  

“With those few remarks he had very great pleasure in giving all of them a hearty welcome, and he hoped that they would appreciate the Institute and the games, recreation and moral improvements that were to be had within its walls.  They were all welcome to become members of the Institute, and it was with great pleasure that he declared it open (Loud applause.)

“Mr D Lloyd, the architect, said that the building had been before their eyes for so long that they had become acquainted with its character.   They claimed as a committee and as the promoters of that Institute that it was unique in its character inasmuch as they had combined within its four walls, and all under one roof, everything desirable for recreation.   That was unlike many other towns that had a library in one place and a gymnasium and baths in other different spots.   The education obtainable in an Institute of that kind would equip young people for the battle of life and prepare them to stand firm to any adverse wind that might blow.   Mr Andrew Carnegie had spent tens of thousands in providing free libraries in the towns and he believed that Mr Carnegie had gained a good deal of education from libraries and Institutes of that description, and that they formed the stepping stones in his remarkable career.   They also knew that in those days there was a great outcry for the encouragement of swimming among young people and he was pleased to be able to say that they had a swimming bath in the Institute.”        

--oo0oo—

Note:  

From papers loaned to me, I understand that in March 1905 David Lewis, the builder of the Institute, (mentioned above), and his wife Ann purchased buildings in Commercial Street from HPD Phillips.  Mr Phillips may have donated the land for the Institute, but in the article above it has been accredited to the mine owners Messrs Partridge Jones & Co. (Mr Phillips is accredited in the speeches made for the laying of the Foundation Stones.)

David Lewis died 16 December 1913 and his wife Ann on 24 September 1918.