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Caerphilly Miners’ Centre has celebrated 100 years since the former hospital first opened its doors.

In 1917, miners from in and around Caerphilly decided to put one penny each week towards the creation of a new hospital. When they had enough money in 1919, a hospital with 32 beds was created and Caerphilly Miners’ admitted its first patient in 1923.

To celebrate 100 years since its opening, the committee that now runs the centre organised a full day of events – beginning with a play that told the story of Caerphilly Miners’, games that would have been played in 1923, and a plaque unveiling to mark the occasion.

The day began with the play, acted out by children from primary schools across the Caerphilly basin. The script was written by Ann Lewis, committee member and former Welsh teacher at St Martins School.

It told the story of how high patient numbers in surrounding hospitals forced miners to come together and create one in Caerphilly. The costumes worn by the children were made by the arts and crafts club based at the centre.

The show was watched by the parents of the children, as well as members of the Miners’ Centre and public. Also in attendance was Caerphilly’s Member of Parliament Wayne David, Islywn MP Chris Evans, who is set to stand as MP for Caerphilly at the next general election, and Plaid Cymru’s new Senedd deputy Delyth Jewell, who represents the South Wales East region.

After the play, Ms Jewell presented prizes to the pupils as part of an art and poetry competition, before tea and centenary cake. Typical 1923 games like dominoes and snakes and ladders were played.

Ms Lewis spoke to Caerphilly Observer about some of the preparation that went into the day, including the role the pupils had in it: “Lots of effort has gone into this today and I’m so pleased to see all the different generations involved.

“We have pupils here from most schools in the area and our school ambassador initiative here at the Miners’ is so important. If we want there to be a future, we have to get young people involved early.

“The pupils planned most of day, coming up with ideas of how to celebrate. It’s great to see.

“There’s a real buzz here and it makes you realise how successful the centre is. We’ve got all sorts of people visiting and it feels like a very special day.”

Ms Jewell, who was actually born in the Miners’ hospital 35-years-ago added: “This is a very important place to me and it’s great see everyone come together and celebrate.

“The volunteers involved here have done some amazing work to keep this place running and that’s reflected here today.

“It’s also very special to see all of the kids here. It clearly means a lot to them too and we should all be inspired.”

Shortly after, a plaque commemorating the centre was unveiled by chair Jenni Jones-Annetts and everyone had the chance to look at the art and poems the pupils had on show.

Wayne David MP, a former trustee at the centre, commented: “I’ve been involved in this centre for many years with Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert [another former trustee] and to see it transform into this buzzing venue is amazing.

“I’m happy to see that the Miners’ remains at the heart of the community here in Caerphilly.”

After the event, one of the main driving forces behind the Miners’ transformation into a community centre in 2015, secretary Katherine Hughes, sat down with Caerphilly Observer. She said: “We started preparing for this day last October when I asked the school ambassadors how we should celebrate the occasion.

“We created a list that included an exhibition and a play. The pupils did suggest a statue but we realised that would be too expensive so we settled on a plaque.

“It’s been difficult planning for this on top of our day jobs, as well as the fact we don’t have a lot of money for lavish things. However it has meant we’ve been able to get a lot of voices involved.”

In 2006, after first hearing about plans to close and demolish the hospital, Katherine knocked on neighbours’ doors to gather their views.

By 2008, a group was set up with the aim of preserving the hospital for community use, with Katherine appointed as its secretary.

She continued: “One of the things we want to do over the next year is to create a centenary book so that anyone who has memories or stories of the Miners’ can write in it.

“The key for us is engaging with the community and getting as many people involved as possible. We’ve got 40 volunteers here today as well as lots of members of the community who take part in activities here at the centre regularly.”

A lot of the planning and ideas used by the centre have come from the Elderberries, which is a group of people who meet weekly at the centre for a variety of activities. It was one of the first groups to regularly use the centre when it opened in 2015.

On the Elderberries, Katherine said: “I’m an Elderberry myself and it’s been great having a group here that can connect with one another.

“We learnt how to use Zoom during the pandemic, which was nice because many of us are alone or widowed. It’s important for us to stick together. It gives people a reason to get up in the morning.”

When asked about the day itself, Katherine said: “I’ve been involved for 17 years and when I started I had no idea I’d still be here doing this.

“The Miners’ hospital helped me in one way or another over my life and I’ve realised since that the best way to pay tribute to it is by moving forward and doing the building and community proud.”

Caerphilly’s Labour MS, Hefin David, marked the centenary by spending time with the Elderberries group and sharing memories of the building.

Dr David said: “The Miners’ Centre holds a great deal of local history, which has touched many peoples lives. I was born there, as were friends and family.

“But the Miners’ Centre as it is now is providing a hugely valuable service to the community, where residents can access a warm space, a social space and somewhere to feel a part of a community.

“We need to ensure that Katherine and the team have the support to continue this well into the future.”

That evening there was also a gala show at St Helens Church, where Caerphilly Ladies and Male Voice Choirs performed.