History

The focal point of many towns and villages across the valleys in the early 20th century was the local miners' institute. Bedwas Workmen’s Hall, which opened in 1923, was funded by a penny a week from the miners plus a grant from the owner of the local colliery, Sir Samuel Instone. It housed a public hall, library, cinema, dance hall and billiards hall.

Bedwas Workmen's Hall came into BTM Community Council ownership in September 1979 and since 1991 has been managed via a committee comprised of local community councillors in partnership with local residents.

The three-storey Grade II listed Bedwas Workmen's Hall is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registered Charity Number:1006294) and continues to serve the local community offering a venue for a number of local initiatives ranging from a youth club to drama and dance productions.

Each institute had its own amateur dramatic society. The picture below shows the cast of a pre-war theatrical production posing outside the Hall.

The photograph below shows Bedwas miners leaving the Hall following a meeting.                                  

A picture of Bedwas Workmen's Hall during the 1930s.