To mark the 90th anniversary of the foundations being laid, volunteers at Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall will be launching a new fundraising campaign in April.
Called ‘Raise the Roof’, the campaign aims to raise the £60,000 needed to repair the roof.
The idea behind the campaign was inspired by the workers of Caerphilly who originally raised the money to build the Workmen’s Hall.
Almost 100 years ago, a welfare fund was started by volunteers in Caerphilly. Every week, workers donated a small portion of their wages to the fund and in 1924, building work on the hall started.
The ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign asks that from the start of April to the end of July, the people of Caerphilly save some money every week to donate to the restoration fund.
Anyone donating over £20 to the Raise the Roof campaign will receive a free ticket to one of the Workmen’s Hall events.
After many years at the centre of the welfare movement in Caerphilly, the hall has recently fallen on hard times.
With some help from the public, volunteers hope that the Workmen’s Hall can become a much-needed community entertainment venue in the centre of the town.
Kathy Lye, Chair of Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall said: “We are planning a two-year celebration to mark the hall’s 90 years at the heart of our community.
“Part of those celebrations is our new fundraising campaign to ensure that the hall will still be there in another 90 years time. We are hoping that the people of Caerphilly will be inspired by the Hall’s history and the chance to be involved in its future.”
• For more information email caerphillyworkmenshall@gmail.com or call Kathy Lye on 029 20 866329.
With all the money the assembly have paid to build pinewood a film studio then they could pay for this no problem.
Pinewood press release:
Appointment by the Welsh Government to advise on a new Welsh Media Fund
17 February 2014
Pinewood Shepperton plc ("Pinewood" or the "Company"), a leading provider of services to the global film and television industry, today announces that it has signed an exclusive agreement (the "Agreement") with the Welsh Government to advise on its new £30 million television and film investment fund. Under the terms of the Agreement, Pinewood will receive an annual fee and transaction based advisory fees for the fund. Pinewood will also be responsible for the promotion and marketing of the new media fund.
As part of the Agreement, the Welsh Government will acquire and fit out the former Energy Centre, Wentloog, adjacent to Cardiff Bay. It is intended to create a facility with four stages. Pinewood will enter into a lease for a minimum of five years with the Welsh Government for the Studio. The new facility will become known as 'Pinewood Studio Wales'. Pinewood will operate the Studio and contribute £0.8 million over five years for the purchase of equipment.
Ivan Dunleavy, Chief Executive Officer, Pinewood Shepperton plc said:
"We are delighted to have agreed with the Welsh Government to advise it on its television and film funding initiative. This builds on our success with Pinewood Pictures and managing the Isle of Man Treasury Film and Television Fund. Our combined advisory investment funds now total £55 million making them one of the largest investment portals for new British television and film content".
"The new fund together with the new facility will do much to boost the Welsh film and television sector. The fund is also another step forward for creating a sustainable UK film and television production centre".