MSs for Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni have given their support to the team that is revamping Abertillery Institute on Division Street, Abertillery.
A letter of support was sent following a site visit last month.
In a letter to the trustees Delyth Jewell MS, Lindsay Whittle MS and Niamh Salkeld MS said:
“We write in support of the team that is revamping the Abertillery Institute on Division Street in Abertillery. First opened in 1898, Abertillery Workmens’ Welfare Institute was rebuilt in the 1950s after being destroyed by fire.
“On Friday 12th June, we met two of the trustees Julie Holt, and Ingrid Sourbutts, for a site visit.
“This impressive building has a main concert hall and smaller hall as well as a kitchen, office space, toilets and a lift. Unfortunately, activity in the institute ceased about a decade ago.
“While at the site, we heard about the historical importance of the building for the local community, and also about the potential for the institute to become a community hub, and a catalyst to regenerate the town centre in the future.”
Julie Holt, secretary to the Trustees added:
“As a group of trustees, we have been working hard on this project for ten years. We have great support from local people, the charity Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations.
“We have overcome many hurdles, not least the pandemic which caused us to lose momentum in our fundraising efforts but as a team we have become stronger and now we are getting closer to achieving our goal to reopen 'The Stute' as it's affectionately known, for our community.
“We were so pleased to welcome Delyth, Lindsay and Niamh to Abertillery and show them why, we think that our building has such potential.”
Pictured: Ingrid Sourbutts, Niamh Salkeld MS, Julie Holt, Delyth Jewell MS, Lindsay Whittle MS.