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Waun Llwyd Colliery Pithead Baths Opening Booklet.
This booklet was printed by the Western Mail and Echo Ltd, Cardiff. It was to commemorate the official opening of the Waun Llwyd Colliery Pithead Baths in October 1933.
The booklet is made from card and gloss paper. It has 24 pages of information and photographs. Size 8″ x 6″ inches.
The Waun Llwyd Colliery Pithead Baths Opening.
On Saturday 28th October 1933 the Waun Llwyd Colliery Pithead Baths were officially opened by Lady Beynon M.B.E., wife of Sir John Beynon, Bart C.B.E., chairman of the directors of the Ebbw Vale Company.
The Opening Ceremony.
Mr W. J. Oliver (Manager) presided over the opening of the baths with Mr Jack Griffiths J.P., (Miners Agent). Mr Leslie J. Davies of the contractors Messrs W. and A. Davies presented Lady Beynon with a gold key with which she opened the baths. Lady Beynon spoke of how every baths she had visited seemed better than the last, the Waun Llwyd baths was the best she had seen and said she understood it was the best in the country. After the opening ceremony the pithead baths were thrown open to the public for inspection.
Tea was later provided at the Waun Llwyd and Victoria Institute by the directors of the Ebbw Vale Company. A toast of the company was proposed by Mr W. G. Bull who referred to the interest taken by the company in the pithead baths movement and that they were indebted to the company for many good deeds.
Sir John Beynon replying said the Ebbw Vale Company was one of the oldest in South Wales, its history went back 150 years (1783) when they first started working coal in the outcrops. The company had good and bad times, other trades throughout the country were showing signs of improvement although as always, coal, the hand-maiden of industry was the last to feel any wave of prosperity and he said he was hopeful that an improvement would take place soon.
Mr Elgar Lewis on behalf of the baths committee presented Lady Beynon with an inscribed case containing a silver cigarette case, a silver match-box and a silver powder compact. A toast of “The Visitors” was proposed by Mr Jack Griffiths J.P.; – Responded to by Mr Aneurin Bevan M.P.; Mr J. Norton J.P.; Mr W. Darby and Dr F. M. Fonseca:
Mr William Garland.
Alderman George Williams proposed a vote of thanks to the directors of the company for providing the tea and Mr William Garland, one of the oldest workmen, who had been employed by the company for fifty-seven years seconded. Mr T. L. Mort J.P. (General Manager) responded.
The Contractors and Architect.
The contractor was Mr Leslie J. Davies of Messrs W. and A. Davies.
A Description of the Pithead Baths.
The baths were erected through the Miners Welfare Fund cost over £32,000. The building was built on a concrete raft foundation and constructed over two-floors entirely of Ebbw Vale red brick, finished with Ebbw Vale russet brown facing brick and it accommodated for more than 2,000 workmen. There were 172 bath cubicles 86 on each floor, with a total of 2,016 lockers, 1,008 pit-clothes lockers and 1,008 clean clothes lockers. The cubicles were constructed of white glazed bricks and the lockers were constructed of steel. There were first-aid rooms, attendants rooms, lavatories and boot cleaning brushes were provided. The whole building was scientifically heated with a hot and cold water supply.
The Baths Committee.
Standing – Mr W. S. Harrison (Secretary); Mr J. Price; Mr F. Hosking; Mr D. R. Williams; Mr J. Donovan:
Seated – Mr P. Kocks; Mr J. Griffith (Vice-Chairman); Mr W. J. Oliver (Chairman); Mr W. H. John; Mr D. P. Jones:
The Trustees.
Mr William Henry John; Mr David Phillip Jones; Mr William John Oliver and Mr Elgar Lewis:
The Management Committee.
Mr P. Kocks (Co-opted); Mr J. Griffiths (Co-opted); Mr F. Hosking; Mr J. Donovan; Mr D. R. Williams and Mr J. Price:
The general public were allowed to inspect the pithead baths throughout the week beginning Monday 30th October through to Friday 3rd November 1933.
First Day of the Pithead Baths.
On Monday 6th November the day shift colliers at Waun Llwyd Colliery used the baths for the first time. The men had to go to work as usual in their dirty clothes although bring their clean clothes with them in a parcel. Soap and a towel was provided free by the baths committee.