The Institute and Memo were built by the huge efforts and small contributions of the local miners.We are trying to rekindle some of their spirit to restore the legacy they gave us. If you can help, either by giving some of your time and effort or by making a small monthly contribution to the Restoration Fund, then you will be making sure that the efforts of the miners ,and the sacrifice made by the men, who died in 2 World Wars are NEVER FORGOTTEN.

WHO'S THE NEW TENNANT AT THE MEMO ?

On the 14th December, the tardis landed.  We were privileged to host an episode of the new Dr. Who series at the Memo. He had with him his partner Catherine Tate, and they stayed four days. 

How many of you will be able to recognise the Memo building when the episode is shown in the Spring.  It was an exciting few days seeing how the episodes were made.

2008 marks the CENTENARY YEAR of the Institute Building, we hope to hold events throughout the year to celebrate and would welcome any ideas from you to help make this a special year for us all.

We have been made aware potential effects on funding projects due to the 2012 Olympics.  It would appear that Lottery Funding is being used to support the provision of the Olympic facilites in London.  We will need all your support to enable us to achieve our aim of having the Newbridge Memo up and running as soon as possible. 

CAMPAIGNERS from the Newbridge Memo redevelopment project are angry about plans to build a block of flats just 50 yards from the historic building. Developer Kim Walker, formerly of Newbridge, has submitted a full planning application to demolish the 120-year-old Zion Chapel close to the Memo, and build a four-storey building containing seven flats.

Surprisingly, Newbridge has no dedicated community buildings. The local school or leisure centre has to adopt this role when required. Yet, here at the Newbridge Institute and Memorial Hall there is this wonderful building, centrally located within the town, just begging to be put to good use.

With its previous role as a cinema, good stage facilities and its unique architectural merit, the Memorial Hall (once restored) has great potential as a community building for cinema, theatre, exhibitions, conferences, music concerts and other events. Together with the parent Institute building next door, which has enough space to allow a wide range of community activities to take place, we have a valuable community resource within a unique heritage site. A fitting testament to the efforts of the miners who helped to build these facilities nearly one hundred years ago. Restoration of the Memorial Hall and its reinstatement as a cultural centre at the very heart of the community will be a lasting monument to the memory of the miners who built it, the community who used it and a 'pantheon' of local mining heritage.