Newbridge Memorial Hall and Institute have been officially reopened after being restored to their former glory.
The official opening was led by Chair of the Memo and Institute trustees Howard Stone, and a dedication plaque was officially unveiled last week by former Islwyn MP Lord Don Touhig.
Mr Stone, said: “From day one of the project it was envisaged that the right thing to do was to return the buildings to their original purpose, and secure the ongoing legacy of the miners who built these iconic buildings.
“This I think we have done. Congratulations and sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed in any way to make this project a success.”
Both the ‘Memo’ – as it’s known locally – and the adjoining Institute are being lovingly restored and refurbished through a £5.6 million building project.
The trustees were also delighted to welcome local star James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers to the event, where he provided a fitting dedication to the brand new library situated within the Institute building.
The revamped Institute building includes a state-of-the-art Information Resource Centre on the ground floor, which is now the new home of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Newbridge Library – twice the size of the former facility – and Cash Office Service.
On the first floor are multi-purpose community rooms, including a function room, meeting rooms and a Royal Air Force Association office. A striking new glass extension links the Institute with the Memo, and provides a new main entrance to the complex, as well as a new staff office, and two lifts.