Miners
Institutes and Welfare Halls were erected within mining communities in the UK
around the turn of the 20th century. The affection for them and Llanhilleth
Institute (the ‘Stute), in particular is difficult to quantify. Although many people never went inside they
still admire the building and would strongly defend it from demolition. By others it is remembered as “the place to
be.”
In
1839, in Newport, South Wales, the Chartist Riots triggered several Government
reports. One conclusion over the next
fifty years or so was simply stated. It
would be cheaper to employ a school master than a platoon of soldiers. Hence, the encouragement and even financing
of Miners’ Institutes for the working miners in the belief that they would help
quell political unrest. At the turn of
the century local Chapels, Churches and schools, were the main venues in Llanhilleth
providing religion, concerts and choirs.
Men
lived in overcrowded terraced housing.
They worked together for long hours in a dangerous environment. When the ‘Stute opened in 1906 it provided
an exciting building accommodating a library, reading room, lecture room, a
large custom built theatre, complete with ticket kiosks, orchestra pit and raked
seating. Apparently free from the
control of coal owners, miners elected their own committee to plan and arrange
events. At the ‘Stute they laughed,
debated and relaxed together as friends, enjoying entertainment and sport. Camaradarie was nurtured here.
The
‘Stute’s construction was mainly funded by the coal owners, Partridge Jones
& Co. I know this will be disputed by many, but they donated £1000 and loaned £4000 out of a total cost of around £6750. Various provisions were also made by the Government to support
and entertain the miners within the Institute.
Contributions
of 1d. (1p. Decimal currency = 2.5d.) were deducted from miners’ wages by,
Partridge Jones. This allowed them to
recoup their original loan. Institute records show the ‘Stute
also claimed the 1d. contribution for miners living within Llanhilleth but
working in pits in other areas. It was claimed they would still be using the 'Stute in their spare time.
Many came from the four streets in front of the Institute, “The Fields,” and worked
at Llanhilleth Pit. After their shift
they would bath in front of the fire at home, change into their three-piece
suit, don their cap or bowler, and go to the ‘Stute to discuss the topics of
the day, read the daily or weekly papers or play snooker. The 1d. per week
membership would have been deducted from their wages at source.
Unemployed
miners not paying contributions would not be allowed in. With
little cash, they would congregate on the corner outside the ‘Stute to talk and
meet up. Occasionally, when the weather
is good, men still gather there. It was not until much later that the butcher, baker and other non-miners were allowed to become members, but then they had to pay a much higher contribution than the miners themselves. People can remember, as children, feeling "left out" as they couldn't use the library at the Institute because their father wasn't a miner.
Many
Institutes would not allow women or non-miners to have membership and even in
later years, election to a committee was definitely not allowed according to
the rules. Female attendance was only
under the membership of the man of the house. Women and children, while
attending concerts and the cinema, and later baby clinics, were not encouraged
on a regular basis.
In 1919 the Government set a levy on coal
owners of 1d. per ton of coal produced.
This levy was used to create the Miners Welfare Fund to provide health
and welfare facilities for miners, including pithead baths and rest homes. The fund also helped provide Welfare Halls
in areas not already served. Before
1919, there had been no obligation on coal owners to provide for their workers,
but many, such as Partridge Jones & Co. gave donations and loans to assist
with provision of amenities within their community. The Welfare Fund Commission had criteria for
administering their support, and it was necessary for a plaque to be erected in
the Institute “gratefully acknowledging” the payment received. This was a step too far for many proud
Institute committees unwilling to be seen to have accepted ‘charity’. They were forced to seek funds elsewhere.
To
receive money from the Welfare Fund, however, Institutes were required to have
the involvement of all the community including women, unemployed, non-miners
and the retired.
The
Institute accounts held in Swansea reveal payments and support from this
organisation which was later taken over by the Coal Industry Social Welfare
Organisation, (CISWO) in 1952.
Early Events at the
Institute
The Ithel Suite, the ballroom on the top floor,
provided a stage for silent films, theatrical shows as well as big name acts
and small local concerts. Miners’ mass
meetings as well as lectures, and a library were located on the upper ground
floor, whilst the ground floor originally held a gymnasium and swimming pool.
Some Institutes had a
‘smoking room,’ but the ‘Stute plans do not indicate such a facility. Members
could smoke anywhere in the building, and all events would have been enjoyed
through a low haze of cigarette and pipe smoke.
Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs was
performed in 1907. The South Wales
Gazette quaintly reported in February 1907 that great applause greeted the rise
and fall of the curtain. James Davies “wielded
great power” as a conductor. While David
Davies played the Prince, Oliver Harris the Huntsman and Mrs P Harris made an
ideal Queen. Miss Gertie Morrell was
quite at home in the role of Snow White and sustained her part with great
credit. Philip Harris played piano accompaniment
and Mr Williams played harp.
Crumlin
and District United Choir, according to the S W Gazette, held a grand sacred
concert in 1907 conducted by A J Phillips.
They sang the test piece for the Abergavenny Eisteddfod, with good
effect. A silver collection in aid of
the choir fund was taken.
Grand concert by the Children of the Llanhilleth
School The South Wales Gazette reported a large
audience, the hall was filled and many had to be turned away. Mr Theo Jones presided. Miss Roderick and Mr Rowlands trained the
pupils to perform action songs, farces and humorous choruses. A cantata “Bubbles,” with Miss Florrie
Dixon as the fairy queen concluded the creditable entertainment.
One
informant remembers seeing Dame Sybil Thorndyke (1882-1976) and her husband
Lewis Casson (1875-1969) on the
stage at the ‘Stute in the 1930’s. At
this time, Dr Thomas Jones, an ex-cabinet Secretary to Lloyd George, had been
involved with schemes to engage unemployed miners in the arts, to keep them
occupied and learning. In 1940, CEMA was
officially launched to improve national morale during wartime. During WWII Dame Sybil and her husband toured in Shakespearean
productions on behalf CEMA which was later to become the Arts Council. They brought the “Classics to the
Valleys,” with a performance of
Shakespeare’s Othello, at the
Institute.
A
visiting national operatic society performed Madame Butterfly at the Institute, but sadly during their
performance, the mesmerised stewards on duty were interrupted as Bill Simmonds,
the Institute Secretary and leader of the St Johns Ambulance brigade, had
suddenly dropped dead. He was hand
carried home in the mining valley tradition.
A plaque was later erected at the ‘Stute in his honour.
The National Council of
Social Services, (NCVO), started in 1919 thanks to a £1,000 legacy from Edward
Vivian Birchall who died in 1916, aged 32, at the Somme in France. Many well-known voluntary organisations,
such as Age Concern, Charities Aid Foundation and Citizens Advice Bureaux
started out as projects within this organisation. In the early 1930s they provided wireless
sets to Institutes and Social Clubs to provide miners with a source of mental
stimulation and recreation.
Llanhilleth Institute becomes a Charity in 1933
Six Trustees were appointed by the Charities
Commissioner, and a liquor licence was taken out for the Ballroom area. Previously there had been no alcohol or food
allowed on the premises.
In 1944 Llanhilleth held a Stay-At-Home
Holiday Week, 6-12 August.
WWII had been in progress for five years by the summer of 1944. Dances had been held at the institute to
raise money for the war effort, and in support of the Government’s “Is your
journey really necessary?” campaign, Llanhilleth planned a fun week.
A
23-page programme was printed by J R Davies, Abertillery, costing sixpence
(2.5p) with proceeds going to local charities.
Events included:
6 August, Sunday, 1944 The Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir (Conductor
Mr Ivor Screen), opened the week with a Grand Concert at the Workmen’s
Hall.
7 August, Monday, 1944
11.00am Baby Show at The Clinic in The workmen’s
Institute (kindly lent).
Breast-fed Babies up to 6
months, 6-12 months and 12-18 months
Bottle-fed Babies up to 6 months, 6-12 months and 12-18 months
Entrance fee – 3d. (1.5p) each
Special Prize for the BEST BABY in
the Show
Author’s
Note: Its interesting to see bottle and breast-fed babies in different
categories. Its interesting to ponder
the reasons for this and, should such a competition be held today, would
discrimination be allowed?
Pushchairs were less
common than today. Many women carried
their children ‘Welsh fashion.’ A long
flannel blanket, draped over the mother’s shoulders, would have one side
wrapped under the right arm, the other over the left arm holding the baby. The ends were then tied or wrapped together
in front, ensuring the bottom edge of the wrap was tucked up under the baby, so
that his/her weight was taken by mother’s back and not her arms, leaving mum
free to shop, wash clothes, cook, all with babe close at hand. Discrete breastfeeding could also be carried
out if necessary.
1.00pm The Opening Ceremony by Mrs Scanlon,
supported by Councillor
Idris Pope, Chairman, P Burchell,
Vice-Chairman, H E Rice Jones, Hon. Sec., G Angel, Asst. Sec., and A Thayer,
Treasurer.
The
prizes were presented for the Carnival Queen and her Court .
1.30pm
Tiny Tots Carnival proceeded from the
Park, via The Playhouse, Blaencuffin Road, Hafodarthen Rd, Commercial St.,
Partridge Road and Meadow Street, back to the Park.
The Band of the 8th Batt. Mon. Home Guard (Abertillery) were in
attendance, Bandmaster, Mr W Townsend.
3.00pm
Programme of Children’s Sports included
various running races, sack race, potato
race, skipping race, arch and tunnel.
9 August, Wednesday 1944
2.30pm
Horse
Show & Gymkhana at the Park consisting of 13 Classes: Galloway and Jumping Events, Musical Chairs,
etc. Over £55 in prizes.
Admission
to Park 1/- (5p)
Side shows: Fun Fayre: Competitions:
Refreshments
10 August, Thursday, 1944
3.00pm Open
Pen Rabbit Show and Display (held under the British Rabbit Council Rules) at
the Drill Hall, Llanhilleth (kindly lent).
44 Open Classes: Dutch, English,
Silvers, Tans, Bevs, Chins, Rex, etc.
Whilst
the Show Manager came from Oakdale, Judges came from as far afield as Barry,
Porth and Henley-on-Thames.
Display
of Garments and Pelts by Mr Crouch. (Representative of the Domestic Rabbit
Keepers’ Council, Cardiff.)
Display of Unrationed Foods, by Messrs Sappa, Ltd., Bury St. Edmunds
11 August, Friday, 1944
6.30pm Darts Competition at the Workmen’s Institute,
Llanhilleth.
Teams of Four Entrance fee 2/- (10p) 1st
prize £2, 2nd prize £1
Refreshments were provided in
the Institute
12 August Saturday
A
Boxing Tournament was held in the Workmen’s Hall. (No results are available for these bouts or
any details of prizes awarded.)
12 x 2-minute rounds at 11 st. 6 lbs.
Trevor Burt (Ogmore Vale) v. Bunny Eddington (Pontycymmer)
10 x 2-minute rounds at 8 st. 11
lbs.
Young Joseph (Caridiff) v. Ronnie Bishop (Argoed)
8 x 2-minute rounds at 9 st. 4 lbs.
Young Mackey (Newbridge) v. Ron
Cook (Nantyglo)
6 x 2-minute rounds at 9 st. 4 lbs.
A Howells (Blackwood) v. Jimmy Williams (Pengam)
Author’s
Note: Boxing Matches were organised in later years with the local Police
force. A champion was known as “One
Round Hoyle,” as he could finish opponents in one round. But the nickname meant quite the opposite
during one match, as he didn’t even last one round.
12 August, Saturday, 1944
2.00pm At the Park: 1st
prize 2nd prize 3rd prize
100 yards open Handicap £2 20/- (£1) 10/- (50p)
220 yards open Handicap £2 20/- 10/-
440 yards open Handicap £3 30/- (£1.50p) 15/- (75p)
1 Mile open Handicap £4 40/- (£2) 20/- (£1)
1 Mile Relay Race for teams of
4 in relays of 440 yards:
Four
at 15/- (75p) four at 10/- (50p).
4.00pm Home Guard Display (No
details available)
5.00pm Tug-of-War
Competition
Skittle Competition 1st £2, 2nd £1.
Side
shows: Fun Fayre: Competitions:
Refreshments at moderate Charges.
Admission to the Ground 1/- (5p)
A
glimpse of the poverty and lack of resources within the community is revealed
in the advertisements in the pamphlet.
Joseph & Falkman Ltd. in their
advert for second-hand furniture, includes the words “Bring Your Own Utility Permits,” Furniture was among several items rationed
at that time.
Arthur J Phillips & Son,
the general dealers has “odd cups, plates” for sale.
No direct mention of the war is included, but W. Thomas & Sons, Bakers,
Grocers & Provision Merchants provides a strong reminder with:
“WE
ALL HAVE OUR TROUBLES – Our Biggest
Trouble is to do our best for you, even in these troublesome times.”
