Residents are battling to save a once-thriving miners’ institute before it’s too late.
Cefn Fforest Miners’ Institute, which opened in 1931, is now empty and deteriorating.
The lease of the institute is held by the now-defunct Cefn Fforest rugby club, which used to use the building as their clubhouse.
But members of the Friends of Cefn Fforest Miners’ Institute group are trying to secure the lease of the building from the council.
Group chair Ron Stoat said: “We’re trying to secure the lease and we have a survey going out.
“We’ve done a bit of work but we can’t do anything major until we have the lease.
“The potential is there, but reaching it is massive. This would be a valuable asset to our community.”
Mr Stoat added: “The Bedwelllty Show has moved, the leisure centre is under threat, our community centre is in a demountable building not far off the size of my garage.
“Cefn Fforest is a forgotten village.
“I’m afraid if the building goes and it gets developed, it could creep down onto the playing fields. We don’t want to lose a valuable open space.”
Mr Stoat cited venues such as Blackwood Miners’ Institute, Newbridge Memo and Llanhilleth Miners’ Institute as inspirations.
Currently, the institute is closed off to the public, with water damage and vandalism leaving it in an unsafe condition.
It is estimated that work to restore the building could cost around £225,000.
The committee has nine members, including Cefn Fforest ward councillors Tom Williams and Graham Simmonds.
Pengam councillor Kevin Dawson is also involved with the group, and said: “The building is in a unique spot and the building itself is quite unique as there’s not many buildings around in its style.
“It has a huge amount of potential.”
Treasurer Marina Chacon-Dawson said the group would like to get Caerphilly County Borough Council on board to help.
Group member and ex-miner Nat Thomas said the institute was “one of the best in south Wales” in its heyday.
The group is will be holding a public meeting at St Thomas’ Church, Cefn Fforest, on Wednesday, February 12 to discuss ideas and suggestions for how the institute could serve the community in the future.
Members of the group are currently asking residents to answer a survey giving their thoughts and ideas on how to save the institute. The survey can be found on obv.sr/cfmi.