HISTORY REVEALED DURING LLANELLI TOWN HALL WORKS

Small glimpses into Llanelli’s past are being uncovered by workmen renovating the historic Town Hall.

During work to replace the roof and repair lead, steel and stonework in the building’s clock tower, tradesmen working for council contractor John Weaver have found a bundle of inventories listing costs and materials for the build of ‘housing for the working classes’ dating back to 1920.

They include detailed information relating to the construction of several cottages and houses in the town’s Llanerch area, recorded by George Watkeys, the Borough Surveyor at the time.

They were built to the specification of designs from the Ministry of Health, in accordance with the Housing, Town Planning, etc, Act of 1919.

One ‘bill of quantities’ describes a pair of ‘class B, urban type’ cottages which included a ‘parlour, living room, scullery, larder, bathroom, w.c., and coals on the ground floor, and three bedrooms on the first floor’. The total estimated cost for the pair amounted to £2,118.50.

Another document lists the various tradesmen working on a build and their rates of pay, including the ‘general foreman’ who was being paid three shillings an hour.

Staff from the council’s Property Services team, part of the Environment department, are overseeing the renovation of Llanelli Town Hall to prevent further damage from rainwater.

The grade II listed building, designed by William Griffiths and built between 1892 and 1896, needed a new roof to stop water leaking in to the attic areas, and the replacement of lead and steel lintels in the clock tower.

Work has already been undertaken to repair damage to windows and internal walls, and further work will be required in the summer to complete redecoration of areas that have become damaged.

Council building inspectors have worked closely with CADW throughout.

The town hall has been clad in scaffolding during the works, but access to the building has been maintained.

Cllr Hazel Evans, Executive Board Member for Technical Services, said: “It has been exciting to see small pieces of the town’s history uncovered during these essential works. We have a legal obligation to maintain this grade II listed building, but I know our staff and our contractors are enjoying the opportunity to get up close and personal with it.

“So far, the work is running to schedule and we’re aiming to bring the scaffolding down later in the summer. We’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding whilst this essential work is underway.”