Newbridge Memo - Celynen Collieries Workmens Institute and Memorial Hall received more votes than any other candidate to become Wales' representative in the final of the prestigious BBC2 Television series RESTORATION. After a tireless but exemplary campaign by over 100 volunteers the stage was set for the final battle and the Memo found itself competing against some of the most ancient and prestigious buildings from across Britain for the prize of £3m. Seven other finalists fought a tough battle to win the hearts of the British public. Finalists ranged from small Water Mill in the Yorkshire Dales through to the ancient medieval remains of the Archbishops Palace at Charing in Kent.

In a nail-biting finish the Newbridge Memo gained record votes to come in a close second to the medieval Grammar School and Saracens Head from Birmingham. Other buildings in the final were Knockando Woolen Mill from Scotland, The Archbishops Palace from Kent, Sherbourne House from Somerset, Gayle Mill from Yorkshire, Playhouse Arts Centre from Northern Ireland and Bawdsey Radar Station from Suffolk.

Richard Attenborough - film director and actor in more than 70 films (Jurrassic Park, Elizabeth, Ghandi) lends his support for Newbridge Memo

“For me, any single building that combines the proud self-sufficiency of a Welsh mining community with a gorgeous but dilapidated art deco cinema and a lasting tribute to the heroes of the First World War is a compelling cause indeed.

The Celynen Collieries Workingman’s Institute and Memorial Hall is not some crumbling monument to the wealth and privilege of a by-gone age. Its very existence proves that ordinary people can become truly extraordinary through vision, generosity and sheer determination. The same community with the same sense of civic pride that brought it into being is trying desperately to save this handsome building today. They certainly have my support. I hope they also have yours.”
Richard Attenborough

Lord Attenborough Kt. CBE
Chairman Dragon International Studios

Peter Hain - Leader of the House of Commons and Secretary of State for Wales offered his support saying,

"The Newbridge Memo is a wonderful testimony to the community spirit and dedication of the miners and our Valleys communities. Winning this would be a fantastic boost for the Valleys and for Newbridge."

The programme Traveling the length and breadth of the UK, each programme in the seven-part series focussed on one geographical area. Griff Rhys Jones led viewers on an in-depth tour of the shortlisted properties and viewers voted for the building that they would most like to see restored.

7 regional winners went forward to the Live Final on August 8th. broadcast live from Hampton Court Palace in a spectacular celebration of the nation's architectural heritage. A testing moment when only one of the original 21 shortlisted properties would be finally voted, by the viewers at home, as the most worthy of Restoration.

Every historic building has a wealth of stories to tell, and two experts, conservation architect, Ptolemy Dean, and historic buildings surveyor, Marianne Suhr took viewers on a tour of the buildings and the threats facing each of the buildings

The Newbridge Memo bid

"We should be investing in the future by investing in the heritage of the past."

The Friends of the Memo support group have been working hard to make the most of this fantastic opportunity and gain votes from the public. Newbridge Memorial Hall and Workmens Institute is both an amazing and unique example of cinema architecture and also a living monument to the fortitude of the Welsh mining community and popular culture.

It is however not just another building in need of renovation. It is a living community arts centre - and has been for nearly 100 years. It is home to a variety of local organisations including the local prize winning Newbridge Celynen Silver band, the amateur dramatics society, ladies choir, junior disco and keep fit classes; an African drumming group as well as several local societies such as the Royal British Legion, the Royal Airforce Association and Newbridge OAPs club. We have plans to get the cinema working and already our dance hall is being used once more for music concerts and dances.

We now have a dynamic new management committee and Memo restoration group in place, we have been registered as a charity and now plan to expand the range of activities and organisations using the Institute and make it truly the Arts Centre of the Valleys.

Sponsors
Our sponsors include:
Don Touhig MP - the local Member of Parliament
Jocelyn Davies AM - Local Wales Assembly Member
Tyrone O'Sullivan - Managing Director of Tower Colliery
Simon Weston - of the Weston Trust
Neil Kinnock - Vice president of the European Commission
Cerys Matthews of pop group Catatonia
Rt Rev Dr.Barry Morgan - Archbishop of Wales
Brian Watkins - High Sheriff of Gwent
Max Boyce - Welsh comedian and singer
Lord Richard Attenborough - Actor & Film Director
Rupert Moon - Wales Rugby International & TV presenter
Colin Jackson MBE - International athlete
Peter Hain - Secretary of State for Wales

Support Newbridge Memo 

See our How You Can Help Page to find out the different ways in which YOU can help the Memo.

The website will keep you up to date with all the latest news and developments, why not make us your home page. Tell a friend about it - you can click on the link at the left to Email details to all your contacts.

The BBC Restoration website has more info on the series and can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/restoration/