Going, going… soon to be gone. Maerdy Workmen’s Hall

Posted on October 17th, 2008 filed in History, Rhondda, Rhondda Cynon Taff

Maerdy Workmens' HallRhondda Cynon Taf Council confirmed today that demolition of Maerdy Workingmen’s Hall will begin soon.

Built in 1905, the grand old building was an iconic symbol of Rhondda’s wealth based on the coalmining industry.

The local Council plan to recycle as much of the remains of the building as possible.

Several local organisations have already expressed an interest in reusing the old stone from the venue as soon as it is razed to the ground.

Click here for the Gallery of Photos of Maerdy Workingmen’s Hall







4 Responses to “Going, going… soon to be gone. Maerdy Workmen’s Hall”

  1. aberdare Says:
    March 5th, 2009 at 11:32 am

    In late February 2008, the last standing walls of the building came down after many weeks of dismantling and demolition.

  2. Christine Black Jones Says:
    July 29th, 2009 at 1:01 am

    I cannot believe the old place has gone..I truly belive, that if The Hall had been elswhere in the vallies, then money would have been ploughed into it, to refurbish the whole building.

    We were led to belive it was beyond repair..this was a whitewash..
    The head building inspector informed a local shopkeeper friend of mine, that the building was sound..the flooding underneath was nothing that couldnt have been easily sorted.

    Also, it cost more to demolish than it would have to refurb.

    It breaks my heart everytime I pass, to see an empty gap where Maerdy\’s heart used to be.

    There are lots of pictures on this site, of The Hall looking a complete and utter mess..but where on Earth are all the old pictures of inside the beautiful ballroom upstairs, and the Rainbow room in all their glory?

    Being from Maerdy, born and bred,I feel these pictures make a mockery of our Hall and of the people of Maerdy.

    I work as a singer all around South Wales, in work, when I mention where I am from, someone always asks me about The Hall..

    What a disgraceful way to treat the heart of the Valley.

    RIP old friend.

  3. Christine Black Jones Says:
    July 29th, 2009 at 1:06 am

    MAERDY HALL – by Christine Black 07/01/09

    Today I stopped to watch, as I was driving down the hill,
    As workmen chipped and hammered, then removed its pointed sill..

    I swear I heard it cry with pain, as it was ripped away,
    Heard it beg them, to be left alone, to stand another day.

    I wondered, did they realise, a 100 years and more,
    That builders gave their hearts and souls, for us to have somewhere to go?
    They sweated blood, and even tears, to make it as we knew..
    Spectacular, magnificent.. one of a golden few.

    Stars from all around the world, played on that wonderful stage,
    Packed out to the rafters, on the dancefloor people engaged.
    Romances born, and break-ups too, those walls saw many a drama,
    And even in the miners strike, it became our Panorama.

    Lots of things have happend there, too numerous to mention,
    It helped us when we needed it, some ways, an institution.

    It stood so proud and comforting, for many, throughout the years,
    Someone SHOULD have saved it, along with all our tears.

    And as I watched, I felt so helpless, there was nothing I could say,
    To stop those careless workmen, taking Maerdys heart away…

  4. Mike Says:
    January 2nd, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    Hi Christine
    I live in China now but came home a few years ago and the old place was still standing though closed. I have lots of memories from the 80,s ( stop ons LOL) and I was sad to hear it had finally been torn down. Your poem is excellent and indeed made me think back over the years.

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