St. Matthew's Church Hall                              

It's been there so long, whenever we've needed it, that it's hard to imagine Treorchy without it - but we're in danger of losing one of our oldest community facilities. St. Matthew's Church Hall, in Bute Street, urgently needs renovating and upgrading to bring it in line with 21st Century demands.

For a century or so the Church Hall has served the church and the wider local community. It's used by church youngsters and adults, as well as a wide range of other local groups - Women's Institute, Brownies, Cancer Research, Civic Society, Spotlight Theatre, Wargamers, and all manner of fundraising events, and as a Polling Station. The church would like to see it even better used, especially mornings and afternoons.

But the Hall is sadly dilapidated and lacking in modern facilities. Although the parish of Treorchy and Treherbert has been without its own Vicar for over three years, a small group of us on the Church Council, led by Joyce Pearce from Tynybedw Terrace, and with much help from Bernard Davies the retired architect from Gethin Road, has drawn up plans for its future.

At first, it was hoped that the present hall could be renovated and upgraded, but expert professional advice is that it is not advisable to attempt this. So our present plans involve complete demolition of the Hall and its replacement by a new multi-purpose, fully accessible building.

A feasibility study in support of this has been drawn up by Community Development Gwent, and funded by a grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. The cost of a new Hall, excluding furnishing, is expected to be about £300,000. This is well beyond us at St. Matthew's, or even the cash-strapped Church in Wales. But we have started fund-raising in a small way, and are also applying for a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

If readers can help in any way to ensure the future of St. Matthew's Church Hall - perhaps by fund-raising (or even suggesting potential millionaire sponsors!) please contact Gaynor Russ, Church warden on 775292.

Every little could help save this valuable facility.

* If you have memories of Sunday School or drama productions in St. Matthew's Church Hall, please let us share them with our readers.

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