Laying the Foundation Stones of Llanhilleth Institute, 1904

In October 1904, several foundation stones were laid on behalf of the coal owners and local dignitaries. Several names are mentioned in the news article, some may be familiar to you, the reader.

The silver tools used in the ceremony for laying the foundation stones are now treasured in a locked glass and wooden display cabinet in the entrance hall of the Institute.   Both the trowel and mallet are engraved with the date of the occasion, October 1904, but neither include the name of the person involved.    That's because a list of local celebrities of the time laid a foundation stone each.   They included a Minister of the cloth, solicitors, JPs alongside directors and owners of the Llanhilleth Pit, Partridge Jones Co.   An article from the South Wales Gazette, 21 October 1904 clarifies this list of local dignitaries.  

The South Wales Gazette was established as a weekly newspaper in the growing south Wales town of Abertillery in 1888 and published and printed in newly established offices in King Street in the town centre. It continued to be an Abertillery-based newspaper up until 1969.

South Wales Gazette  on 21 October 1904 reported:

            “MEMORIAL STONE LAYING:  The Workmen of Llanhilleth are to be congratulated upon the success which has attended their efforts to provide an institute for the district.   The building, with which considerable progress has been made, is to be erected at a cost of £7,000, according to the plans of Mr Dan Lloyd.   The ground floor will be taken up with a swimming bath, measuring sixty feet by eighty feet, which will be lined throughout with white glazed bricks.   A gymnasium will also be provided, measuring forty feet by sixteen feet, with heating apparatus, which will also heat the public hall and other rooms.   On the second floor there will be an entrance hall, which will give admission to the committee room and secretary’s room, both of which are fifteen feet by fourteen feet.   The room to be used as a reading room and library will be thirty-two feet by twenty feet, and the public hall will measure seventy feet by forty-seven.   A caretaker’s apartments have also been provided and will consist of accommodation rooms, lavatories and conveniences.   The committee anticipate lighting the hall with electricity.   The contract is let to Mr D. Lewis at £6,568.

            “The ceremony of laying memorial stones took place on Saturday, when, a procession paraded the Streets, headed by the Llanhilleth Brass Band, who were under the leadership of Mr J. Hancock.    Mr. Thos. Jones, under manager and chairman of the Buildings Committee, presided over a large attendance of spectators.   Mr. Jones was presented with a silver trowel and a mallet, suitably inscribed, by Mr Dd. Lewis, contractor, for which he expressed his thanks.   The Chairman then said that a great deal of interest had been taken in the movement by the late Mr Edward Jones – (hear, hear) – who first put the desire into the hearts of the people of Llanhilleth to embark on such an undertaking.   They had arrived at the object on which they had started, and it gave him much pleasure to lay a stone in memory of the late Mr Jones on behalf of the committee and himself.

            “Mr F A Smith, secretary to the Colliery Company, laid the next stone on behalf of Messrs. Partridge, Jones and Co.   He expressed pleasure at being present to take part in such a function, and hoped that the Institute would prove a great blessing to the young men and the inhabitants of Llanhilleth in general.   The desire of the Company was to do everything they could for the happiness of those who were dependent upon them, in a large measure, for their livelihood.   (Hear, hear.)   The colliery had been carried on with success for the past ten or twelve years.   The Company had spent a great deal of money in developing it, and from a business point of view it was hoped that the same success would be experienced for many years to come.   The coal trade at present was not as good as it had sometimes been, but he did not think the depression would last very long, and if colliery proprietors could only agree to produce only as much coal as the markets actually demanded, he did not think the depressions would be as long lived as they were under the present circumstances.   He wished the Institute every success, and presented the Committee with a cheque for £1,000 on behalf of the Company.   (Applause.)   The Chairman expressed the thanks of the Committee for the donation from the Company.

            “Mr A Clarke Jones, one of the directors of the Company, after laying the next stone, said he was proud of the honour, and he hoped that the Institute would be a great benefit to all the people in the district.

                        “Mr Richard Partridge, another director, laid the next stone.   He hoped that             the building would be a boon to the inhabitants of Llanhilleth, and thanked the Committee for the honour of being invited to lay a stone.

            “Mr Percy Jones, another director, said that he had much pleasure in laying a stone, and he hoped the building would prove very useful.   He felt sure that it would be appreciated by the public of Llanhilleth.

            “Mr Nicholas Smith, chairman of the Workmen’s Committee, laid the next stone on behalf of the workmen and the subscribers.   He was very pleased to see so many representatives of the Company present, and expressed the thanks of the workmen for what they had done for them.   He also thanked those who had subscribed towards the object.

                        “Mr Dd. Lewis, builder, also laid a stone, and hoped the movement would be          met with success.

            “Mr Edward Coulman, of Messrs. Colborne and Co., solicitors, also laid a stone, and spoke of the business relations between his firm and the Company.   He hoped that the building would have a lasting benefit for the people of Llanhilleth.  

            “Dr Frost, after laying the next stone, said that he hoped the day was not far distant when the Institute would be free from debt, and that all present would live to see the Institute completed.

            “ Mr W H Bontledge, agent, after laying a stone, said he was glad there were swimming baths and a gymnasium.   He knew of nothing that would uplift, and at the same time refine working men, as much as an institution of that kind.   He hoped that it would have a beneficial effect upon the inhabitants, and that it would be a success in every way.

                        “Mr W Davies, ME, manager, laid another stone, and said that he hoped the            Institute would be a centre for intellectual improvement for many years for the inhabitants.

            “Mr J E Wood laid the next stone, and hoped that in all the deliberations of the members of the Institute Christian charity would be exercised, and that they would act on the motto, “Do unto other, etc.”

            “A stone was laid by Mr Thomas Phillips, Maesycnew Farm, who said he   hoped the Institute would be a source of improvement to the people of Lanhilleth in every way.

     

                        “Mr George Farber laid a stone on behalf of the Llanhilleth branch of the     National Friendly Society.   He hoped that the Institute would result in a moral and          physical benefit to the people.

                        “The Rev. D Felix, rector of Llanhilleth, after laying his stone, said the          workmens’ committee were to be congratulated upon the way in which they were trying to help themselves by erecting that building.   He felt sure that the Institute would be the means of doing much good in the district.

            “Others who laid stones were Mr T Phillips, on behalf of Mr Harry Lewis; 

            Mr George Holford, on behalf of the Llanhilleth branch of the Cooperative Society;             Mr C B Cook, on behalf of Mr J Tendoll;
      Mr D Lloyd, architect; and
      Messrs M Gorman and J Rowlands, on behalf of the public, both of whom spoke of           the way in which the people had responded with donations towards the building.

           
                  “The Chairman, in a brief address, reviewed the growth of the library from the

      commencement to the present time, and remarked that it was the late Mr E Jones who first put the idea of such a building into the minds of the committee, and he had rendered them great assistance.    He also wished to acknowledge the kindness of Mr H P D Phillips, who had given them the building site.   They were anxious to get the building completed, and also to get it paid for.   He hoped, when completed, that it would be a means of fitting men to fill positions on public bodies.  He proposed a hearty vote of thanks to those who had attended that day for the purpose of laying memorial stones, which was seconded by Mr C B Cook, and carried unanimously.

      “THE LUNCHEON.   Subsequently, a luncheon was provided in the Assembly Room of the Llanhilleth Hotel, when about 80 sat down.   After the removal of the cloth, Mr Theos. Jones presided over the gathering, and in his opening remarks, he said that they were all very pleased that the proceedings had passed off with so much success.   Every member was very grateful to those who had attended to encourage them in their endeavour to provide a good institution for the neighbourhood.

      “The toast of the “King, Queen, and all the members of the Royal Family,” was given by the Rev. D Felix, and loyally honoured.

      “The Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces,” was toasted by Mr J Rowlands, and an appropriate response was made by Mr William Cousins.

      “The trade of the district,” was toasted by Mr Samuel Thomas, who referred to the depression at present experienced, but expressed the hope that the silver lining would soon be seen.   He was very pleased that the Institute movement had met with such success, and hoped that when completed it would prove a decided advantage to the whole district.   He coupled with the toast the names of Mr Turzer and Mr Bond.   – The toast having met with a warm reception, Mr Turzer, in response, expressed pleasure at being present, and hoped the depression would soon pass away. – Mr Bond also spoke in a similar strain.

      “Mr Herbert Stone gave the toast of the “Llanhilleth Institute,” coupled with the name of Mr C B Cook.   He spoke of the difficulty the Committee had had in getting the workmen to be of one mind over the Institute and to get the necessary funds.   He hoped that they would be able to secure an increased weekly subscription for the new building, as they all felt the need of such an institution.   It was possible for a workman to take a £1 share, which could be paid in four instalments.   Crumlin folks were to be congratulated upon the way they had assisted, and he hoped that in the future they would have a similar institution there on a smaller scale, but such as would serve the same purpose.   The workmen at the colliery were as one, and he hoped they would remain so. – Mr Cook, in responding, said that in addition to the donation of £1,000 from the Company, he had received a promise of £50 from the contractor, £20 from Mr H Lewis, and £31 from Dr Frost, as well as several other promises for smaller sums.   He hoped that the new institute would not only do what it was intended for, but that it would be an incentive to other districts to do the same, as every district should have such an institution.   He hoped that the efforts of the Committee would be backed up by every member.   A deputation had waited upon the directors, but had been given to understand that the land adjoining the Institute would not be let for building purposes, and that an application for the same would be considered by them.

      “Mr Nicholas Smith toasted the “builder and the architect, Mr Dd. Lewis and Mr Dan Lloyd,” and expressed the hope that the same satisfaction would exist as at present when the building was completed, and that it would result in improving the inhabitants.

      “Mr Lewis briefly acknowledged the compliment, as also did Mr Lloyd, who said the Institute was to meet the wants of the rising generations in one compact building.   When the opening day arrived Mr Lewis and he would rejoice with them at the success of the scheme.

      “Several songs and recitations were given during the evening.”

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