Parish Rooms

Ynysawdre Parish Room was built 100 years ago following a meeting of local people known as a Parish Meeting. Before the hall was built, the council and parish meetings were held in local public houses including the Llynfi Arms and the Fox and Hounds as well as a Coffee Tavern in Tondu. The new parish hall or “Room” as it was then called played an important part in the early development of education in the Parish.

Ynysawdre Parish Council was established under the Local Government Act 1894. It’s first chairman was Councillor W. Parker. At parish meetings held in the Fox and Hounds 31st March 1896, the Council decided to build its own hall. A lease was acquired from Lord Dunraven on a plot of land adjoining Mr. Hurley’s workshop at Felin Fach farm.

The Council had a loan of £350 to pay for the building of the hall by a firm of Messrs Rattery and Jenkins. Meanwhile the Education Board, who had applied for a pupil teacher, asked the Council for permission to hold classes in the Hall; cloakroom and toilets were added along with a moveable partition to divide the room for boys and girls. This work was undertaken by Mr. G Mathews of Aberkenfig at a cost of £98.

The first recorded meeting of Ynysawdre Parish Council in the new Parish Room was on 29th November 1898.

Mrs Magor was appointed as cleaner. From 1899 until opening of the Brymenyn County Primary School in 1913, classes were held at the “Ynysawdre School”. The head teacher was Mr. D. John assisted by Miss Sarah Thomas and Miss Sarah Jane Howells (who on 19th December 1911 lost her life attempting to save a pupil called Bertie Gubbins from the nearby Lynfi river).

The Hall was later used for many years as a School Cookery room. In 1974 a community run playgroup was opened in the Hall. Today the Hall continues to be used by the Village Playgroup.

The Council meet in the Parish Hall on the third Tuesday of the month .