Witches Hats & Terracotta Finials

Llanhilleth Miners Institute has been renovated in its original style from 1904 when the foundations were laid.  

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 Youth
Room (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.”

A fuller description is referenced to S.Eckley, Abertillery and District Museum Society:

“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.