Members of the Caerphilly community have created a series of eye-catching artworks to surround the old Caerphilly Miners’ Hospital building as work continues to transform it into a community centre.
Almost all of the hospital site is being demolished and turned into a housing development, but the original Beeches building – paid for by the miners – is to be kept.
Designed and painted by pupils from St Martin’s and St Cenydd Comprehensive Schools, trainees from ACT Training and members of Drug Aid’s arts project, the artworks depict the future vision of the project.
Cllr. David Poole, cabinet member responsible for community and leisure said: “This is a worthwhile project one which will I’m sure be a valuable resource situated in the heart of Caerphilly. The historic site will remain an important part of the community and offer young people a great place to develop new skills.”
Ruth Hanson, Schools Provision Manager at ACT Training said: “ACT welcomes the chance to work in partnership with the local community to provide valuable training and placement opportunities for the young people of Caerphilly. This was a great experience for the learners and gave them a great sense of self achievement that many people can appreciate.”
Jeff Cuthbert, AM, Chair of Caerphilly Miners said: “This is an excellent example of local collaboration and an important step on our journey to develop the building as a community resource. Young people’s focus on health and well-being will help to shape the future of this project. I am delighted to launch these boards at Caerphilly Miners.”
The boards stand alongside those of partners United Welsh and Lovell which are developing the main part of the old hospital site into a quality housing development.
The Caerphilly Miners project started in 2008 as a campaign by local residents to save the Beeches from demolition following the decommissioning of Caerphilly Miners’ Hospital. It is now working to find the £750,000 needed to restore the building.