Risca Industrial History Museum could close when the building it’s housed in is disposed of by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
The museum is based at the former Colliers’ Institute on the Oxford House site in Risca. The building was used by the council to deliver adult education, but cuts to funding mean it is no longer required.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s adult education funding for the 2014/15 academic year has been cut by £320,000 by the Welsh Government, Coleg y Cymoedd, Coleg Gwent and the Welsh for Adults Centre.
Run by Oxford House Industrial History Society (OHIHS), the museum first opened in Pontymister Upper School in 1977 before moving to Risca Colliers’ Institute, which dates back to 1916.
Robin Williams, OHIHS President, said: “We are in amiable negotiations with Caerphilly County Borough Council who are not pressing us for an outcome.”
He said one option would be for the society to purchase the institute but as a Grade II listed building the repair and maintenance cost could not be met.
Mr Williams said: “The result could be the closure of the museum and disposal of its contents. But it’s iconic, it’s the last reminder that Risca has a mining history.
“We have got an absolutely unique collection with a great social significance. Our main visitors are school groups. It would be a disaster if it closed.”
A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokeswoman said: “While the council’s adult education budget has been reduced, Oxford House will continue to house adult education provision for the academic year 2014/15.
“Where previously the adjacent Colliers’ building was also used for learning, this building will not be used for any learning in the future
“All learning that previously took place in the Colliers’ building has been transferred to Oxford House.
“It’s at a very early stage, but the council is currently in discussions with the society who run the Industrial History Museum to agree a way forward should the council proceed to dispose of the building following the transfer of adult education service provision from the Colliers’ building to Oxford House.”
Brian Absolon, of the museum, said: “There’s always hope but it’s a David and Goliath situation. We are struggling to get proper support. We have contacted our local MP and AM but they seem to have backed down to a certain extent.
“We want to stay in the museum and for the council to get the building fit-for-purpose. They are saying we will find you a new place but the one I’ve looked at is in a worse state than the building we’re in.”
Chris Evans, MP for Islwyn, said: “I recently visited Risca Heritage Museum after they got in touch with me about Caerphilly County Borough Council’s decision to sell the Colliers’ Institute.
“Since then I have contacted the council about their options, and have also put them in touch with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to see if they can assist them.
“I have further raised the matter with local councillors who have assured me that they will do what they can to support the museum.
“Of course no one wants Risca to lose the heritage museum. It houses a remarkable collection of items from the local area which will give future generations a rare insight into Risca’s industrial past.
“I will continue to do what I can to assist the society and find a way forward now that the council has decided to dispose of the Colliers’ Institute.”
If this was in Bargoed they would give them a couple of million or if they were in ystrad mynach they would save it.
See my Brian Hoskins PAGE ON FACEBOOK for my opinion on this item..
Flatten it and make it into a car park give residents living in grove road there parking spaces back!