Maesteg Town Hall

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History of Maesteg Town Hall

On the 31st October 1880, C.R.M. Talbot M.P. laid the foundation stone of the Town Hall. He donated £500.00 towards the building fund, and the miners of the valley agreed to levy a days' wages towards the cost when the original estimate of £5000.00 was exceeded and the hall was in risk of not being completed. The original structure was designed by Henry Harris of Cardiff, and was of the Queen Anne style,  with a most imposing frontage, which was reached from the street by a double flight  of steps. At the time it was considered one of the finest halls in South Wales. It played host to concerts,  plays, operas, and public meetings - cultural, religious, and political.

Between 1913- 14 the hall was 'renovated' and the outward appearance lost most of its charm. The re-opening ceremony took place on 25th November 1914 with a performance of the 'Hymns of Praise' by the Nantyffyllon Harmonic Society, conducted by W.J. Watkins. The building is now a grade II listed building, with its' prominent clock tower visible from all sides of the town.

The Town hall has played host to many prominent entertainers. It is believed that Richard Burton first trod the boards here in 1939 during a local Eisteddfod. Many local societies continue to use the hall for their productions. Maesteg Amateur Operatic Society began in 1943, and continues to flourish to this day. We are also the home to the Llynfi Valley Amateur Dramatic Society, three male voice choirs, a ladies choir, and the Maesteg Children's choir.

The hall is also home to six paintings by the prominent local artist Christopher Williams. Photographs of these can be found in the Gallery section of our website.

In June 1998, Maesteg Town Hall Ltd. was established to take over the running of the Town Hall from Bridgend County Borough Council, so preventing its closure and ensuring a future venue and cultural platform for the Arts and Entertainment in Maesteg and the Llynfi Valley. A Voluntary Management Committee (Board of Directors) meet on a regular basis to oversee company business and set policy, while four permanent members of staff undertake the day to day running of the hall. The Board of Directors consist of members of most of the main user groups of the hall or are Borough, Town or Community Councillors.
 

The hall receives annual grants from Bridgend County Borough Council, Maesteg Town Council and Llangynwyd Middle Community Council. These grants, along with the income generated from the business are essential to maintain the hall.

With Thanks to D. Brown & Sons Ltd. of Cowbridge for kind permission to use excerpts from the book History of the Llynfi Valley.

Website Design by Geraint John

www.maestegtownhall.com