Symbols of pit pride running to ruin

End of an era: Heritage group in mission to revitalise former miners' institutes

The decline of the coal industry in South Wales is set to claim another victim: the miners' institutes.

Only about 50 of the original 350 or so buildings remain. The halls, now in a perilous state, once provided a centre for education and entertainment in the communities. The buildings date largely from around the turn of the century, with miners traditionally donating a penny a week of their wages for their construction and upkeep.

The Victorian Society believes efforts should be made to preserve a great tradition. Paul Brindley, of the South Wales branch, said: "The institute was a vital part of the community. In most towns and villages it was the most impressive building as they were largely built at the height of Victorian architecture. Without some protection more will fall into decay."

Many of the institutes have been turned into bingo halls, supermarkets or drinking clubs. Others have been lost through continued disrepair. Earlier this year, Nixon's Memorial Hall in Mountain Ash was gutted by a fire. A similar fate befell the institute in Aberaman. But some do still survive and play a valuable role. One of the biggest is the Parc and Dare Institute in the Rhondda town of Treorchy. The theatre has been fully restored and doubles as a cinema. The rooms have a variety of uses, from a dance studio to a meeting place for the local model railway society.

In the 1970s, the National Union of Mineworkers foresaw difficulties in maintaining the building and a deal was struck with the local council, which now staffs and runs it. The manager, Enid Bowen, said: "We were lucky the institute was taken over, otherwise it would have suffered a similar fate to most of the others."

A spokesman for Cadw, the body charged with protecting Wales's historic buildings, said a survey was under way to identify those of special interest and give them listed status. It has already given protection to three and the case for another six is being considered.