Tag: Treharris Public Hall

Merthyr has last so many of its important buildings and landmarks in the name of ‘progress’. In a new regular feature, I hope to highlight some of the marvellous places that have disappeared into the ether.

We start with Treharris Public Hall. The following article is taken from the marvellous website http://www.treharrisdistrict.co.uk, and is transcribed here with the kind permission of the webmaster, Paul Corkrey.

Treharris Public Hall

During 1891, the growing population of Treharris and its districts, meant there was a growing need for a large public hall to be built, to benefit the people. The cost of the project was the main concern and it was decided to hold concerts to raise funds and shares were to be sold to enable it to be a reality.

One such concert took place in August 1891. A huge marquee capable of seating an immense number of persons was obtained and erected near Bargoed House. Through the kindness of Deep Navigation Colliery manager, Mr Stewart, the marquee was illuminated most effectively with electric light. Mr Alan Wyn conducted the Treharris Choral Union, in an excellent performance of Haydn’s “Creation”, a large crowd attended and good funds were secured to get the project moving.

On 3 October 1891, The Merthyr Express reported that practical steps had been made towards having a public hall built in Treharris. A meeting had been held In Perrott Street, at the Tabernacle Vestry, the colliery manager (Mr Stewart) presided, with all classes of people represented. The meeting decided to canvas for shares and a large number have been taken. Mr W Cuthbert Thomas was appointed secretary. It was proposed to erect the new public hall on the square, at a cost of about £2,000.

A further meeting took place three weeks later and a committee was appointed to deal with the site and further matters.

The Merthyr Express, November 21 1891 further reported that to show interest, the Colliery Company, wanted to take an interest in the welfare of their workmen, and promised to give £50 a year for 5 years, towards the hall, about to be built. This is in addition to subscribing towards 250 shares in the hall company and letting the ground, which is in the very centre of the village and is most valuable, at the nominal rent of 5 shillings per annum.

Two concerts were held in October 1892, to raise further monies for the public hall, the first was presided over by Mr Stewart the colliery manager, whilst the second was under the presidency of the Rev D Phillips. They were both held at the Tabernacle Chapel and both raised goodly sums.

May 1893, was an exciting time for the District and the huge building constructed on the square was now completed and ready to be opened…the Merthyr Express reported “that the directors of the Public Hall Company should be congratulated on having secured a handsome and commodious building, in return for their outlay. The formal opening is planned for Whit Monday and tickets for admission are keenly sought.”

A public procession was arranged with Brass bands, it started at 1pm prompt and many hundreds lined the streets and joined the procession.

Other reports suggest the final cost of the Public Hall was around £3,300, but it included a Library, committee rooms and reading rooms. The library had over 1400 books, some in Welsh, it was financially supported by contributions from miners wages.

The Miners Workmens Hall served the community for almost 100 years. It was a community building and was used for great events, with huge crowds attending. It was a Theatre and became known as the “Palace”, a popular cinema for many years. It later fell into disrepair and was used as a bingo hall, snooker club and even as an indoor market (for one week).

The building was a typical Workmen’s’ Hall design with two shops at its base, either side of the entrance and facing the square. In 1920 one shop unit was a grocery store and the other housed a branch of Barclays Bank.

By 1937 it was the Palace Theatre, and had a 28 feet wide proscenium and a 20 feet deep stage. There were three dressing rooms. At that time the Palace Theatre was equipped with a Klang-Tobis sound sytem. By 1954, an RCA sound system had been fitted. By 1963, Cinema scope had been installed, with a screen within the original 28 feet wide proscenium. There were now four dressing rooms. The Palace Cinema was still open in 1966, but had closed by 1980.

The demolition of the Palace Cinema commenced on the 25th of January 2000. The site has been acquired by the Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association who are proposing to construct flats on the site. That was later discounted a green area was put there before further redevelopment in 2013.

During 1996, there were plans to try to save the building, now under private ownership, many of the villagers did not want to lose the historic building. Unfortunately, it was not to be and by 2000 the building was totally demolished, a sad end to the Hall, a landmark building, which could have been preserved for future generations.