Welfare hall in Rhondda Fach receives nearly £300,000 to fund restoration
The last remaining miners’ institute in the Rhondda Fach has received nearly £300,000 towards its restoration to secure its future.
Tylorstown Welfare Hall has secured £286,388 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund which will support the development phase of the welfare hall’s wider restoration plans.
The Grade II-listed building was originally built in 1933 from miners’ contributions and officially opened in 1934.
Tylorstown Welfare Hall sits in the heart of the Rhondda Valleys and is one of the last remaining miners’ institutes.
It was also where Robert Page, who is from the area, announced the 2022 Wales World Cup squad.
This year the hall turns 90 years old and it still offers much-needed community services.
This funding has been secured after years of preparation, with the support of local volunteers young and old.
Rebecca Sullivan, development manager at Tylorstown Welfare Hall, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that The National Lottery Heritage Fund has agreed to support our project.
“This funding will allow us to carry out the development phase of the restoration scheme. We have been fortunate to work with some fantastic partners to help get us to this critical stage.”
The scheme will carry out essential improvements and upgrades to the building with significant signs of ageing that need addressing for the hall to remain open for generations to come.
The building is steeped with history and the project aims to bring its heritage to life, a spokesman for the welfare hall said.
During the development phase a detailed project timetable will be established in partnership with lead architect Thread and quantity surveyor Greenwood Projects.
This timetable will identify key milestones and ensure that targets are realistic and deliverable on time and on budget.
Claire Fear, director and project architect at Thread, said: “The Welfare Hall was built to support the community and we will do everything we can to enable the building to continue this legacy.
“It’s such a critical building for the community and volunteers and has so much potential for the future. Having the opportunity to be involved with this wonderful buildings restoration is a privilege for our team at Thread.”
The renovation work is set to improve the visitor experience, creating a more inclusive and enjoyable experience where visitors can embrace and interact with the building’s heritage.
As the project grows, volunteer capacity is expected to increase to support the heritage interpretation. This project includes opportunities for local people to be upskilled on oral history and workshop facilitation with the aim for these individuals to share these new skills and help train others.
By BBC LDRS
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