Llanhilleth Miners Institute has been renovated in its original style from 1904 when the foundations were laid.
Room (capacity up to 20). Buffets are frequently provided as part of the chargeable
service."
As you pass by, you may notice black pointed metal structures on the roof. These were dubbed "witches hats" by Sophie Teague, the architect in charge of the renovation.
They are part of the ventilation system, allowing air to escape to help control the temperature of the building. These vents are operated from the large ballroom as in the original design.
The walls have lime plaster, which needs to 'breathe' and allow moisture to be absorbed and evaporate. During the 1960s repairs were made using cement. Unfortunately, this sealed the walls, ensuring any rainwater that soaked in would be trapped, causing dampness and mold. The latest renovation removed the cement and repointed and replastered with suitable materials.
A very splendid building, worthy of any commercial or private event.
Grade II
listing was granted in 1999 in recognition of
the building being a
"well designed and
prominently located former colliery Workmen’s Hall, its detail and large size
testament to the importance of the local coal industry during the Edwardian
period."
(Grade II being of Regional significance and Grade I of National significance).
Cadw describes the building as follows:
"Cadw
Information: 22671 AA Former Colliery Workmen’s Institute
The Institute has a range of rooms which are hired by
organisations: the Ithel Hall
"capacity 120), the Ebbw Suite (capacity up to 40
depending on layout) and the YouthRoom (capacity up to 20). Buffets are frequently provided as part of the chargeable
service."
The façade of
the building has been described variously as Romanesque, and Queen Anne
revival, but everyone agrees it is faced mainly with grey/blue Pennant
sandstone with extensive red brick and terracotta detailing and stringing to
add relief and interest to the elevations.
All the windows are now restored to their original pattern of the 1906
structure, using much of the original metalwork, although for several years
they were partly boarded over to provide square fenestres.
In 1951 Sir
Nikolaus Pevsner (1902-83) started Pevsner’s Architectural Guides. They provide a portable guide to the most
significant buildings around the country.
He felt Llanhilleth Institute was worthy of comment, albeit rather
brief. The full quotation is included
below. There is no mention of the
interior or elsewhere in the building, so presumably it was closed at the time
of his visit. It is interesting that
he points out the porch as an afterthought.
“The Institute has a lively facade of two tall
storeys over a basement.
An intricate network of pilaster strips and string courses frames the round
headed windows. Fancy gable crowned with balls and acroteria. The
lofty redbrick porch looks like an after thought.”
An intricate network of pilaster strips and string courses frames the round
headed windows. Fancy gable crowned with balls and acroteria. The
lofty redbrick porch looks like an after thought.”
“Very prominently located off the east end of
Meadow Street, dominating terraces
of housing along valley bottom.”
“Simplified Dutch style, built of grey Pennant
stone, with extensive red brick detail.
Slate roof with two large ventilators to ridge. East end gable chimney of red brick; also
low stack on south side. Two storeys,
set on high basement. Entrance front
(west) of five bays, divided by red brick pilaster-strips. Moulded brick stringcourses between storeys,
also at sill and window-head levels.
Moulded brick cornice with shaped gable above, divided into five bays by pilaster strips
terminating in terracotta finial at apex.
Clock in centre of gable, with brick surround."
"Basement and ground floor windows
with 20th century glazing, segmental heads, brick surrounds. Tall round arched first floor widows, brick
surrounds and terracotta keystones.
Centre bay has projecting square red brick porch rising to base of
gable. Round arched openings to ground
floor stage, with door facing west; windows to sides (door and windows all
20th century)." Windows now replaced to appear original.
"Tall upper
stage of porch has angle-pilasters, with small round windows set high upto each
side. Moulded brick cornice. North side of six bays and three
storeys. Pilaster strips and
stringcourses as front. Windows as
facade, the tall upper windows with smaller windows inserted. Similarly details south side; attached towards east end is lower four storey
former caretaker’s house, now used as medical centre. House is of three narrow bays, rendered with
brick detail to quoins, and window surrounds:
20th century glazing. Slate roof and broad
south end gable brick chimney stack.”
As you pass by, you may notice black pointed metal structures on the roof. These were dubbed "witches hats" by Sophie Teague, the architect in charge of the renovation.
They are part of the ventilation system, allowing air to escape to help control the temperature of the building. These vents are operated from the large ballroom as in the original design.
The walls have lime plaster, which needs to 'breathe' and allow moisture to be absorbed and evaporate. During the 1960s repairs were made using cement. Unfortunately, this sealed the walls, ensuring any rainwater that soaked in would be trapped, causing dampness and mold. The latest renovation removed the cement and repointed and replastered with suitable materials.
A very splendid building, worthy of any commercial or private event.
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