Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
The Last Decade.
Throughout the 1990’s the Liberal Snooker club, though still successful in the Abergavenny Snooker League, went into decline. Many older members had passed away and the club reached out to the younger generation which only had a minimal effect.
Sadly, the Liberal Club’s successful past could never be regained and with the loss of many members, lack of interest in the sport in general and with losing revenue from the loss of the Citizens Advice Bureau, took its toll, financially the club could not hold its head above water.
For years, the club had been struggling and had it not been for the hard work by its officers, it would have closed long before it did. To try and revitalise the club once again and perhaps attract more players plans were put in place to reconstruct the first floor, removing all the partitioning that had been there from the Citizens Advice Bureau, install new central heating, spectator seating, set-up and to place the Joe Davis championship table upstairs as a center piece. An architect was required to draw up plans for its internal reconstruction and after that the club could apply for a grant from the Sports Lottery of Wales for help with the project.
Building Problems.
During refurbishing the upper floor problems was found with the internal floor joists, this had to be overcome before moving forward and a contractor was brought in to replace and to repair the affected joists. During this work asbestos was found in the ceiling and specialist asbestos removers were called to remove the offending material. These problems, although easily remedied, were very expensive to fix and ate into the money allocated for the renovation of the club. A further set-back was encountered when the Sports Lottery of Wales refused to grant any aid, owing that the club was a private men only club they refused to allot the club any funding.
Even though the club was financially burdened and affected by these set-backs the officers and committee, with the help of a few members, forged on with the plans and voluntarily helped with getting the furnishings and decorating accomplished to a satisfactory standard and requirement.
The Upper Floor Completed.
In about 2004, the first floor was opened out into one large room, it refurbished and the Joe Davis championship table was moved upstairs into it, an alcohol licence was obtained and a bar serving drinks was added (first time in over 100 years), along with two brand new pool tables, generously provided by the treasurer Mr Dennis Edmunds, at his own expense, widescreen TV and other amenities.
Financial Difficulties.
Though despite all the efforts and hard work by all of those involved, many who (provided their services free of charge) the club was not able to stay open. The everyday running costs, wages, gas, electric, public liability insurance and many other bills heavily outweighed the income of the club. The decision to close the club was not taken lightly but there was no other option available.
The Closure of the Liberal Club.
On Monday 5th of March 2007, the committee at the club held their last meeting, it was decided we had no option but to close, so ending 105 years of Liberal Club, billiard and snooker history in Abertillery.
On Thursday 12th of April 2007, the Liberal Club had closed its doors for the last time. Most of the personal effects, cues and cases, etc, were given back to the members, present and past. Cups and trophies donated to the museum, the seating and chairs were sold off to clubs and pubs with the money from the sales being put back into the accounts to be shared when the club was finally sold. All that was left were the four snooker tables, the club was only open on request to prospective buyers.
On Wednesday 2nd of May 2007, the Abertillery Council put in an offer for the club. The council wanted it for a headquarters for the contractors and workers who were construct the new Foundry Bridge.
On Monday 9th of July, the Abertillery Council finalised the purchase of the club. The money from the sale was shared by the members of the Liberal Club over the age of eighteen, who were all shareholders of the club.
The Later Years.
In 2014 planning was put forth for the premises to be converted into a convenient store and post office.