Miners' Welfare Hall

A small hall located in the Dulais village of Cwmllynfell, near Neath. The Miners' Welfare Hall opened 4th September 1934, the architect was E.D. Jones of Pontardawe. Its style was of a typical welfare design with a brick built auditorium at the rear and extensive office accommodation at the front, which also contained a billiards room and reading room.

The auditorium had seating installed in stalls and circle levels. Cinema projecton equippment and a screen were installed in November 1935 and the first film to be screened was “Jenny Lind” on 7th November 1935. The projection box was located at the very top of the hall with the projectors being steeply angled. Typical of the silent and inflammable film era, the box had an exit door that opened onto a balcony to facilitate rapid escapes in the case of fire. At the right hand side of the balcony was an iron ladder that could be used to reach ground level in an emergency.

Live shows were also staged. It lasted as a full-time cinema until 1967, when part time bingo was introduced, and dances were held on Wednesday evenings. This mixed use policy lasted until 1970, when the building was closed.

It was demolished in May/June 2001, and a new community hall was built on the site that opened in May 2002.

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