Thursday, 26 December 2013

Llanhilleth Institute re-opens 2008 and beyond

Llanhilleth Institute's Launch Week,  May 27-30 2008, (with Mgr, Hannah Jenkins)


Tuesday:  An evening of photographs with Harry Vagg. “My Wales”
Harry illustrated his talk with his photographs.   Starting at Pen-y-Fan pond
he presented a guided tour around many of the beautiful sights of Wales.


Wednesday:  7.30pm, Chunkie Russel, a Children's Show with Folly Farm.

Thursday:   7.30pm, Open Mic - Poetry, and music night with Llanhilleth writers group. open to everyone.   Guest speaker:   crime-writing author Babs Horton, with local tenor Lesley Price.

Friday: Swinging Sixties Night with a top tribute show, Welsh Beatles, disco, fancy dress optional.

Tuesday – Friday: 10.00am-4.00pm, Carnival Arts, with a carnival performance.

Prince Charles Visit, 23 October 2008


On Thurs 23 October 2008 HRH Prince Charles was met by hundreds of well-wishers for the official opening of the restored Institute.   During his three hour tour of the building the Prince was shown the facilities including the function hall, Red Ash community cafe, training rooms, IT facilities, interactive library and mobile creche.
He met staff, volunteers and representatives of local groups who used the building for education and leisure, as well as people involved with its renovation.    The Prince was accompanied by members of the press and TV, and Chris Smith, the Chairman of the Institute management committee, met the Prince and explained that the regeneration scheme had also included  the new St Illtyds school and railway station as well as the bypass and a new town square.    Chris is the son of Bill (Shilling) Smith, a miner, and chairman of the Institute for 30 years (WHEN).  

The new spiral staircase joining the 'Stute to the school.
For his final task whilst visiting the Institute, the Prince relaunched the Prince’s Trust in Wales, a charity which has helped launch many new businesses.     The Prince met people involved with some of these businesses as well as local dignitaries including the local Mayor and Welsh Assembly members.

---oo0oo---

First Wedding



The Institute has been known for many years as a suitable place to look for a prospective partner, and later as the venue for the wedding reception.  
  

Back in the 1950s Llanhilleth Methodist Church celebrated the double wedding of Mavis and her sister, two of the four daughters of Mr Smith the baker from Herberts Bakers.   The two white wedding dresses were made along with the bridesmaids’ gowns by Mavis’ mother, and her father made the four-tier wedding cake.

The newel posts have been recreated in the original design
The reception for the two happy couples was held in the ballroom at the Institute.   The mother of the brides prepared the lunch including curing the ham and tongue for the cold salad.   The table was loaded with food including HP Sauce, which seemed very relevant as their surnames became respectively Hart and Parry.   The ballroom with its tall windows and high ceiling, as today, made a very suitable venue, and the couples, in turn, stood to have their photograph taken.    Later Mavis’ own daughter would stand at the Institute’s arched doorway for her wedding photograph.


Apparently any couple forwarding to the manufacturers, a wedding photograph displaying a bottle of HP sauce next to the wedding cake would receive a free gift.   Unfortunately I have been unable to find evidence to support this statement.


Now couples can take this a step further and take their marriage vows on the premises.
On 1 September 2009 Llanhilleth Institute received approval notification as a venue for solemnisation of marriage and registration of Civil Partnerships in accordance with Marriages Act 1949, amended 1994 and further amendments.  
This approval covered The Main Hall (Ithel) and the Ebbw Suite for the registration District of Blaenau Gwent, which consists of Tredegar, Abertillery and Brynmawr.
On 14 November 2009 the ‘Stute held its first wedding ceremony for Rob and Nicola Griffiths from Plymouth.  
The tiered section of the Ballroom with new balustrades
The Institute holds regular Wedding Fayres displaying the options and choices available, and have catered for many weddings since.   At the time of writing they have 41 weddings booked for 2011.

Facilities & Statistics


Over the year 2010 the ‘Stute had 18,000 visitors with 161 organisations using the facilities.
A range of sound and lighting equipment has been installed in the ballroom to enhance a variety of shows and provide a choice of stage effects.

It is interesting to see that the glitter ball which was removed during the recent renovations has now been replaced along with quite a sophisticated lighting system, enabling the ambience to be changed to suit any occasion.
The tiered section as many remember with solid panels.

Quotes from some of the volunteers who help at the Institute: 
 “It’s a fabulous building and everyone’s so friendly.   Its relaxing, not like going to work at all.”
“I volunteer in the cafe a few days a week, but I help with buffets, the bar, lunches and take courses.     Recently I did a balloon course to arrange them for weddings and parties.   They push you, but in a nice way.”
“When I’m not working, I’m talking to the customers.”  
The first floor corridor in place of the Bar. 
“There’s computers and a youth club for the kids.   I don’t understand why more Mothers don’t send their kids here.”

A brown sign indicating a historical building, has been erected at the junction into Llanhilleth from the A467.

Services available at the ‘Stute

In 2010 there are two Doctor’s surgeries and a Flying Start Creche as well as the Communities First office to bring in a rental income.   Weddings, room hire, buffets, conferences also contribute to the cash-flow.     Currently it is run as a registered charity with any profit going to contribute free events for the local community.   Hallowe’en 2010 was an example of this.   Community Groups such as the Karate Club and Tea Dance Club are subsidised to encourage local involvement.

As well as a Baby Innoculation Clinic, Communities First support parenting classes for families with children up to the age of primary school.

Youth Work

St Illtyds Communities First provide Outreach and detached programs for young people to help them link into new and existing services and gain experience and self confidence.   Advice is available on Employment, Sexual health, general health and local services.   Events are held on bullying as well as street games and dance, and sport.   A respect for the local community is gained by holding community litter picks as well as activities such as Action Camp, Ice Skating and the Youth Mayors Inauguration event.   Various issues have been identified and tackled including alcohol abuse, and lack of youth provision in the area.

Tylorstown Institute

The Llanhilleth Partnership Board and Institute are supporting Tylorstown Communities First in restoring their local institute to its former glory.

Flying Start Nursery

The Flying Start Nursery is funded by the WAG (Welsh Assembly Gov.)   It is based in a new section of the Institute with access from the staircase linking the Ground and Upper Ground floors.    This section of the building is light and bright with a secure outside area where the infants can enjoy lively play safely in fine weather.  
The nursery provides free supervision for 2-3 year olds from families who fit a set of criteria, within the local catchment area.   Each session lasts for two and a half hours.   Children are allowed to start the term after their second birthday and remain until after their third birthday before progressing on to the Play & Grow nursery located in the school building next door.     Often parents are busy with work and family problems, but the ethos of Flying Start is to encourage families to play together.   Monday sessions are for babies aged 0-1 years, Tuesday for toddlers aged 1-3 years, and a baby clinic is held on Wednesdays, for any problems the children may have and to keep a check on their weight and developmental stepping stones.    Most families live within walking distance of the Institute which also houses a Family Support Team and Health Visitor who can make house calls and help support the family, finding child care if necessary and generally encourage the family to ensure their child learns through play.   

Luncheon Club

Billy Bennet, a comedian from Neath appears regularly at the monthly luncheon club.   A three-course meal and bingo usually completes the £5 entertainment.
Llanhilleth Institute appears to have great support from the populations of Tredegar, Abertillery, Blaina,  Sofrydd, Nantyglo, Ebbw Vale and beyond.   Unfortunately this cannot always be said of the local people of Llanhilleth village.   

GENERATE PROJECT

organised by Communities First in 2011, was an intergenerational project designed to bring Llanhilleth residents of different age groups together to discuss their similarities and differences and find a better mutual understanding . 
 Young and old were paired together to interview each other.    These interviews were recorded and played back at the Institute in front of an invited audience.   Many of the questions on screen brought discussion from the floor.    Quoted below are comments, ideas and views of some of the people taking part in those interviews:

Anti-social Behaviour
            Are young people involved in anti-social behaviour these days any different from the youth of fifty          years ago?     Groups of young people outside shops can be felt to be intimidating to older people.    Fifty years ago, the young people,  and  their  families would have been known to the older generation.   Many fewer motor cars meant people remained in the village and had more local contact.    Older people spoke of when they were young, tying cotton to door knockers to allow them to be activated from a distance without being caught.    Kids getting up to mischief, or anti-social behaviour?      Access was allowed to the tip and youngsters would take coal   and make a fire on the mountain to camp.   Would this be classed as thieving today?   It wasn’t then.
            Football used to be played in the street where everyone knew each other. It was
             perhaps a nuisance, devilment.   Would this be tolerated today?  

            In the 1950s and 60s there were 4 youth clubs, a cinema, sports clubs and lots of things for young people to be involved wsith.   Teenagers of 15 and 16 would be running their own youth club with very little supervision from adults.    They would have been possibly working at that age.   Once you started work you were treated as an adult and respected.
Education
            Fifty or more years ago punishment would have been a slap with a ruler, a cane or slipper.   Some of pride amongst classmates.    Children would play outside until dark.   There were no after-school events or social workers or careers guidance.
                        These days teachers could not touch a child, and must have a parent’s     
          permission before keeping a child after school.
Volunteering
            Young people enjoyed learning new skills and leadership away from the house.   They met new people and had a sense of achievement.   Today people are less willing to share their time and experiences with the young.   Llanhilleth Institute provides a base for volunteering opportunities for all ages.   Young people enjoyed helping others.   It provided a good feeling and helped them develop and gain confidence.   The youth group at the Institute has been raising money for charity.
            In the 1950s it was easier to organise volunteers.   There was no requirement for a
            CRB check or risk assessment.
Employment
                        Today a part-time job can be uneconomical as the money earned can go on
            bus fare.  
                        Years ago there was plenty of employment:  the pit, steel works, tin works. 
            You went from one job to another quite easily, but not today.   The average pit   
            labourer earned £7.50 a week in 1950s.   It could take an hour and a half by bus and  
           walking to get to work out of the area.   Perhaps two hours to get home after you   
           missed the bus.   
                        Often youths were employed by people who knew the family.   Its not so   easy 
            today.  There are no more jobs for life.    
Environment
            The buildings, roads and river were dirty with a lot of smoke from the industries and pollution in the river.   The colliery washed the coal and dumped the waste in the river.   It would run black, or brown from the steel works.   Now there are herons and fish, but there is still litter in the river.   There were more people on the roads, you walked everywhere.    Everyone used the streets and housewives washed their front-door step and pavement.   There was no litter on the roads as there was little money for luxuries, and ice-cream  and ice lollipops didn’t come wrapped in paper.    There were no fast-food outlets years ago or takeaway food.     People were not so fussy about their back lanes though.   These were often full of litter.    There used to be road sweepers with a wheelbarrow to keep the streets clean.   People couldn’t afford cars, so they stayed in their own village.   They had more  
   
                        The mountains and streams were fairly clean.   As a child in the 1950’s you 
            could walk anywhere on the mountains, it was quite safe.   You could take a picnic   
           and play all day in the ponds, light a fire on the side and bake potatoes.   There was   
           never any idea of anyone molesting or causing trouble.   Everyone looked out for one  
           another.
                        Today people dump litter, and do whatever they feel like.   They don’t care   
           about the problems it will cause in the future.   There are green spaces and nice  
           views, but children cannot play outside.   There are no pathways to walk along.   There 
           are not enough shops in the town centre and too many serving food.   They just 
           don’t look attractive.   The graffiti should be cleaned up.

--oo0oo—

Communities First has helped the generations to talk together.   With everyone caring for their surroundings and feeling part of the same community progress can be made towards a clean and pleasant environment.





Places around Llanhilleth

Jobby Jayne Fields  


or Jobby’s Fields was the site of great excitement back between the Wars.   Walter Poskett, the driver of the local ash cart, made twice daily collections from each household, as everyone had coal fires creating buckets of dead ashes every day.    Everyone noticed with great interest that he was depositing the ashes on muddy areas in Jobby’s Fields.  Why?

This heralded the arrival of the Royal Horse Artillery.   They camped on the field for a few days whilst recruiting around the area of Trinant, Oakdale and Llanhilleth.   Unfortunately the valleys did not get a glimpse of their grand regalia, merely their everyday khaki uniform.

Could this be Thomas Kennard standing on the Crumlin Viaduct ?
Crumlin Viaduct

This was erected in 1857 by Thomas Kennard at a cost of £62,000.   It was 200 ft high and 1800 ft across and carried trains from Pontypool across to the other side of the valley.    The iron castings were made in the Falkirk ironworks and the wrought iron by the Blaenavon Iron & Coal Co., owned by his father RW Kennard MP.   Details obtained from http://www.crumlinviaduct.co.uk/History.htm.
There was no major renovation work apart from £10,000 spent in 1920s. It was closed for use in 1964 and dismantled in 1966.


A line which took traffic from viaduct level down to the railway line at the valley bottom was called the branch line.   Houses alongside were nicknamed “Branch Houses.”

Crumlin Canal

A branch of the Monmouthshire canal was constructed to Crumlin in 1794.   The end of the canal was filled in during the construction of the viaduct.

A section of the Crumlin Arm of the canal still exists today.

The Railway

The railway line running through Llanhilleth was opened in the early 1850’s, providing new and swift transport of goods and passengers down the valley to Newport.  The facilities at Llanhilleth Station improved considerably when The Great Western Railway (GWR, which some claimed stood for God’s Wonderful Railway), took over in 1880.  The passenger services came to an end in April 1962.


Workmen’s Club new premises

The Workmen’s Social Club building near the sports pavilion, was especially built by Blaenau Gwent Council for Llanhilleth Social Club.   This enabled them to move from the Insitute for it to be refurbished.   Although the dance floor of the new building was much smaller than the Institute, dances and social were held regularly.
February 2011, the Workmen’s Social Club closed.   Several organisations within Llanhilleth were interested in its use, but it is currently occupied by the Rugby Club.

Ex-Workman's Club/ now Rugby Club from the fields.