Blackwood Miners' Institute

Image: © Jaggery Taken: 1 Mar 2010

Grade II (star) listed building in High Street, north of the Pentwyn Road junction. Opened in 1925 as a single storey snooker hall, owned by the Coal Industry and the Social Welfare Organisation, paid for out of Oakdale miners’ contributions of 3d a week. In 1936 two floors were added to the building to include a stage, auditorium, dance floor, reading room, library, ladies' room and rehearsal rooms for local societies. Events held in the building included tea dances, snooker/billiards, reading groups, rehearsals and union meetings for local miners. The building fell into disrepair in the 1970s and 1980s following pit closures. In 1989 the trustees sold it to Islwyn Borough Council on the understanding that it would be made available for community use. The building reopened in February 1992 as a community arts and entertainment venue, with funding from Islwyn Borough Council and the Welsh Office. The building is currently (2010) one of the Arts Council of Wales core regional performing arts venues presenting over 40 shows a season ranging from well-known names to productions staged by local community groups.

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