Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
The Abertillery British Legion Club.
The British Legion at Abertillery, prior to 1921, was known as the Abertillery branch of the Welsh National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers Association or D.D.S.S. for short. They formed the association at Abertillery after the Great War 1914-1918 and they held their meetings at the Palace Cinema, Carmel Street, Abertillery.
In 1919 the D.D.S.S., wanted a club house and institute of their own, they set up a fund to collect donations from the public to help with the formation of their own premises. Mr Sheehan one of the deputation was awaiting a reply from Mr Williams the manager of the Cwmtillery Colliery as to whether the colliery company would donate to the fund. Mr Williams had promised to consult the directors of the company who were still paying 10 shillings per week with coal to the wives of serving employees.
The association later acquired Norman House, on the junction of Mitre Street and King Street, Abertillery.
The Announcement of a New Club at Norman House, King Street.
On Sunday 14th of September 1919, a meeting was held at the Palace Cinema presided over by Mr A. J. Legge. At this meeting, Mr W. Davies (Secretary) announced that the new club at Norman House, King Street (as seen to the left in the main featured image above) would be formally opened on the Wednesday 15th of October 1919.
The photograph in the main featured image, taken in the 1970’s was kindly provided courtesy of Abertillery Museum. Copyright unknown.
The First Steward and Stewardess.
The chief business of the meeting was to elect a steward and stewardess for the club. The committee went through the applications and Messrs J. Ellaway, M.C., J. Harris and R. Hoskins were chosen to go before the meeting. The vote results were as follows – Messrs Ellaway 74 votes, Messrs Harris 96 votes and Messrs Hoskins 21 votes. Mr and Mrs Harris were elected to be the steward and stewardess.
The Official Opening of the Club and Institute.
On Wednesday 15th of October 1919, the Welsh National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers Association Club and Institute was officially opened. Over three-hundred ex-servicemen assembled at Trinity Corner, Division Street and preceded by the Abertillery Workingmen’s Club Silver Band under the conductorship of Mr J. Probert and two members of the branch Messrs A. Bushell and J. Musselthwaite bearing large Union Jacks marched through Church Street, Somerset Street and on to the new club premises.
The opening ceremony was performed by Mr Frederick Mills J.P., D.L., and Mr B. Owen M.E., presided. Mr John Phillips said that after the opening ceremony members of the branch would be invited to a luncheon at the Drill Hall, Abertillery. The association stated that the club would be a place where the ex-servicemen could spend an enjoyable evening, he thought it would become a success and that shares in the club would be a great investment.
Proposal for the Extension of the Club.
On Sunday 22nd of February 1920, a meeting of the Welsh National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers Association held at the Palace Cinema Abertillery, Mr John Phillips presided heard from Mr T. Crook the chairman and secretary told the members that they had been in talks with the owner of the premises next door to Norman House with a view of buying the property for a much-needed extension of the club.
The Official Opening of the Extension of the Club.
On Saturday 4th of September 1920, the extension of the Welsh National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers Association Club and Institute was officially opened. The additions to the club were a bar-room downstairs with a concert-room and a small attic on the first and second floors.
The opening ceremony was performed by Sir John W. Beynon, Bart, O.B.E., accompanied by Mr B. Owen M.E., (President of the Club), Messrs T. Crook (Club Secretary); M. Sheehan (Branch Secretary); I. Skidmore (Vice-Chairman) and Mr Aldridge (Ex-Gunner): Ex-gunner Aldridge presented Sir John W. Beynon with a key to open the new premises. It was stated the cost of the club premises were as follows – The purchase of Norman House with alterations £1,272, the extension and improvements £2,200, total cost £3,472.
Before and after the ceremony, the band of “D” Company, 3rd Battalion of the Mon Territorials under Sergt Derrick played a selection.
The British Legion.
The British Legion was founded on the 15th of May 1921. This was the new name for the association and it replaced the old National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers Association. Thereafter the club was known as the British Legion Club.
Mr and Mrs E. H. Hill.
On Saturday 28th of August 1954, the stewardess Mrs Emily Edith Hill collapsed behind the bar and sadly died. Mrs Hill was 55 years of age.
The Closure of the British Legion Club.
The British Legion Club closed in the mid 1970’s. I have no official closing date although the records from the London Gazette states the society to which the club had belonged had cancelled their registration in June 1977.
The Notice of the Cancellation of the Society – London Gazette.
On the 14th June 1977 the London Gazette recorded the following – Notice of cancellation pursuant to section 16 of the Act Notice is hereby given that the Central Office have, pursuant to the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965, this day cancelled the Registration of Abertillery British Legion of Ex-Servicemen’s Club and Institute Limited (Register No. 7241R), the registered office of which is at Norman House, King Street, Abertillery, Gwent, on the ground that the society has ceased to exist. The society ceases to enjoy the privileges of a registered society, but without prejudice 10 any liability incurred by the society, which may be enforced against it as if such cancellation had not taken place. — Dated 8th June 1977.
K. Eroding, Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies.
A List of Stewards and Stewardesses.
Some of the stewards and stewardesses at the British Legion Club were as follows –
Mr and Mrs Harris (1919)
Mr William James Moy (1920’s)
Mr Richard Richards (1930’s)
Mr and Mrs Ernest Henry Hill (1950’s)
Mr Leyshon Glyn Morgan (1960’s)
Mr and Mrs Ronald Pickford (1967-1968)
Mr John R. Coombes (1970)
Mr John T. Carver (1971)
Mr David G. J. Morris (1972-73).
The list of stewards and stewardesses was kindly supplied courtesy of Mr Bryan Boots.
The Sale of the old British Legion Club Premises.
In March 1979, Gregory and Phillips estate agents offered the British Legion Club at Mitre Street, Abertillery for sale. Advertised as a large freehold club premises with vacant possession or to let on lease.
The Abertillery and District Pool Club.
In July 1979 the club seemed to have been purchased and was converted into a pool hall, a private members pool club. It was well advertised in the Gwent Gazette and it had its official opening on Wednesday 11th of July 1979.
The ground floor consisted of an adult section with – Members lounge, snack bar and committee rooms. It had three 7′ ft x 4’ft tables and two 6’ft x 3’ft tables. The adult section was open to members 18 years and over.
The first floor had a teenage section with – Snack bar, juke box and amusement machines. It had eight 6’ft x 3’ft tables. The teenage section was open to members 13 years to 18 years.
Application for membership – Single membership, male or female £1.00: Husband and wife £1.50: Block membership – 1 to 50 persons £50p each: 50 and over £20p each: Teenagers £50p:
The club offered facilities for major competitions plus the use of the committee rooms for meetings etc. In conjunction with A.F.M. Leisure Ltd. Telephone Terry Millard, Abertillery.
There were no other reports on the Pool Club.
Planning Application for a Bar, Lounge and Restaurant.
On Thursday 23rd of February 1984, the Gwent Gazette reported that Mr Maldwyn Preece of Nantyglo applied for planning for the reservation of the old British Legion Club, Abertillery and for a bar, lounge and restaurant. The renovation scheme, estimated at £80,000 was objected to by the police, fire service, many licensees and over fifty residents. The report also stated that the applicants brother had previously made an application in the mid 1970’s.
The Proposed Council Offices at Mitre Street.
On Thursday 23rd of July 1987, the Gwent Gazette printed – The proposed development of the site of the old British Legion Club on the junction of King Street and Mitre Street, Abertillery. The report stated it was for the development of a three-storey building for use as a Council District Office.
Traffic Congestion Concerns.
In March 1988 the council reported concerns at Mitre Street, Abertillery as building work on the new offices was causing congestion. They wanted a weight restriction order put in place.
The Opening of the Council Offices.
On Saturday 10th of December 1988, the council staff moved into the new offices at Mitre Street, Abertillery and on Friday 3rd of February 1989 the new council offices were officially opened.
Points of Interest – In October 1893 Mr Hill, a tobacconist occupied Norman House. Later it was a music warehouse which was occupied by Mr Walter Prosser as early as 1895 and in 1903 Mr Henry Hayman opened a refreshment house at Norman House, he advertised the building as a tearoom with sitting room, bedroom and a large club room to let. At this time Mr Walter Prosser was trading from Somerset Street, Abertillery.