The Powerhouse, Llwynypia

There have been a number of meetings in recent months to discuss the future of the Powerhouse building in Llwynypia which was a key part of the Glamorgan Colliery. As everyone knows, this was a focus of the Tonypandy riots in 1910. The building has lain dilapidated for years, despite being listed. The private owners were unable to keep it up and it has passed into the management of the Crown Estate. Over the years a number of ideas have been identifed for the future use of the building. There is a significant cost in making it safe and viable. I want to see this building brought back into use so that it can play a part in telling the story of mid-Rhondda and its radical past. I’m afraid that if we don’t take advantage of the centenary of the Tonypandy riots in 2010 then we will lose the opportunity to bring the Powerhouse back to life. A lot of people have ideas about the building and want to see it brought back into sustainable community use. At today's meeting we agreed to set up a Building Preservation Trust to take things forward, as we believe there are a number of organisations willing to support a feasibility study.