Llangennith Parish Hall has stood proudly at the heart of village life here in the north-west corner of the Gower peninsula for over 100 years. During that time it has evolved, developed and for the new Millennium transformed to meet the changing needs of our community and its visitors. Today it is a warm and welcoming space with the unlimited potential to accommodate a wide range of community uses.
With its pastel blue façade, fresh white paint, stained glass window, and 1920 date plaque, our Hall takes pride of place on the village green. Along with St Cenydd’s Church and the King’s Head Inn, it is a well-loved building that reflects what village life is all about.
Originally built by the people of the Parish of Llangennith for the people of the Parish of Llangennith, and despite its ‘chapel-like’ architecture, it has no religious foundations. Today it is run as a registered charity.
The Hall
The Halls doors are open to people of all faiths and those of none, from the local community and to all those visitors who are drawn to our lovely village of Llangennith.
The superb interior space and the adjacent playground/field space are places where you can come together and enjoy fantastic facilities and an open-ended range of activities and clubs.
“The Hall is at the heart of our community life. It’s a great place to catch up with friends and meet new people.”
Our Hall has a long and interesting history which has resulted in the wonderful space and community resource it is today. Whether it’s the past you’re interested in, or the fabulous facilities and range of activities & clubs of the present day, you’ll find it all here to be enjoyed.
Past to Present – a Village, its People and its Hall
For over a hundred years the Hall has played an active and integral part in the life of Llangennith. The village and the individuals and families who live here have ensured that the Hall has been a resource providing entertainment for children and adults, opportunities for groups and societies to meet, to raise funds, to eat together and to celebrate important event, such as Harvest Suppers and Christmas Parties. The Hall was built with money raised by individual donations/subscriptions from local people, these ranged from one guinea to £500 and much like today they organised fundraising events like a Ball and a Bazaar. The final cost of the first building in 1920 was £2,549.
The Hall secretary, Carol Green, has researched this interesting history of the Hall, so that it is not lost to time. Much of the information she has gathered on the activities in the Hall has come from the Gower Church magazines published monthly between the 1920s and the 1980s. The magazines reveal the names of Llangennith individuals and their achievements, and what activities they participated in at the Hall through those 60+ years. Many of the surnames mentioned are those of families still living in Llangennith today, and just like their ancestors, play an active part in the culture of the Hall.
1919/1920
Carol’s research reveals that the first meeting of the Committee appointed at the Parish meeting of 11/12/1919, to deal with the question of the proposed Parish Hall for Llangennith, took place at the King’s Head Hotel on Friday evening 23/01/1920.
1930s
Just a list of the cast of the operetta, ‘The Butterfly Queen’ performed on 14th December 1932 by the Sunday School shows names recognisable today: Nancy Bevan and Raymond Nicholas as boy and girl scouts; John Gibbs and Peter Behenna as Tweedledum and Tweedledee; Eileen Gibbs as a splendid Wood Ogre; May Wood as a fine Dame Snuffy; Averil Nicolas and Doris as first and second fairies; and, Joseph and Audrey Taylor as first and second schoolgirls. Other parts were fairies: Nina Beynon, Dora Nicholas, Miriam Morris, May Hughes; Imps: George Rees, Edward Rees, Clive Jenkins, Eric Gibbs, Leslie Brown and Kenneth Tidy.
Dances were a regular feature down the years and the record shows that people came from all over Gower from Rhosilli to Penclawdd transported by the Vanguard Bus Company and these events fostered many a romance and possibly even marriage.
1940s
The 40s saw the Hall play its part in supporting the village and its soldiers away at war. A National War Savings Group was formed for the Parish and the committee attended the parish hall every Wednesday evening from 8pm to 9pm to receive contributions. Educational activities were popular, such as the talk by Lt.-Col E Helme D.S.O. on the subject of Practical Hints for the Home Guard, A.R.P. and what to do in an emergency.
1950s
The 50s saw the Hall used as a Doctors’ Surgery, as a space to run Summer Fetes to raise money for the Vicarage, and saw the beginning of a Badminton Club
1960s, 1970s and 1980s
The 60s, 70s and 80s continued to see many the continuation of many of the activities activities run in previous years such as Annual Christmas Parties for the children, Harvest Suppers, Whist Drives, Meetings, Plays, Concerts, and Jumble Sales often organised by a very active WI.
1990s
Towards the end of the last Millennium, the Hall was the venue for Fitness Classes, Produce Markets and a thriving Badminton Club.
2000s to present day
The new Millennium saw a significant transformation of the Hall thanks to a Millennium Grant (2000) and Lottery money, which enabled the Hall to improve the facilities inside by installing a small gym, solar panels, new underfloor heating system. The Hall acquired the playing field adjacent to it and turned it into a playground and manicured field – a safe, green space at the heart of the Village which has enabled outside events and entertainment for today’s children of the village.
Past and Present – the people
The Hall would not exist today without the active involvement of individuals and families from those who became the first Trustees and Committee members who are listed below.
Llangennith Hall First Trustees (from the Trust Deed that transferred the land)
“THIS Indenture made the Twelfth day of July One thousand nine hundred and twenty BETWEEN PERCY STANLEY ROWLAND of 91 Walter Road in the County of Borough of Swansea Merchant of the one part and WILLIAM ACE of Broughton Farm, Farmer: WILLIAM BEYNON of Tankey-Lake, Farmer; GEORGE FRANCIS NICHOLAS of Hardings Down, Farmer; GEORGE ERNEST TAYLOR of Delvid, Farm Director of Limited Company; and GEORGE
HERBERT GORDON of Tyle Farm Burry Green, Farmer, all of the Parish of LLangennith in the County of Glamorgan the said PERCEY STANLEY ROWLAND and GEORGE HERBERT JONES of 14 Brynmill Crescent in the said County Borough of Swansea Metal Broker (hereinafter called the Trustees.”
First Committee
The Committee that managed the Hall included the Trustees (i.e. those included in the deed above) plus the following elected and co-opted members: John Rogers Junior; William Taylor (Cock St); Bernard Davies; Evan Jones (College); George Beynon Gibbs; Sidney Phillips; George Rees; Josiah William Rees; Thomas Rees (Hardings Down); George Jones; Fred Copper; Charles Woods; Gladys Jones; Ann Lewis; and, Mary Ann Daniel.
In 2023, the Hall continues to serve the Village as it has for over a century. Despite cancellation of the very special 100 year Anniversary Celebrations planned for 2020, due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, the Hall is re-building its activities thanks to the Village people and their continued involvement.
Llangennith Parish Hall Committee 2023
Steve Rimell – Chair, Carol Green – Secretary and Hall Bookings, Jan Rimell – Treasurer, Beryl Counsell, Bill Counsell, Dilys Mclean, Rachel Williams, Lisa Nicholas, Andrea Watkins, Gerwyn Jones.
Looking at the Hall from the outside, you perhaps wouldn’t realise the scope of the facilities within its walls. From a secure space to place your vote at election time, to an expansive space to play activities, watch films, or come together for village social events, it can accommodate them all.
Facilities at a glance:
Main Hall – suitable for various events and activities
Stage – suitable for drama performances – with control room at rear
Fully equipped Gym
2 meeting rooms
Kitchen
Disabled parking
Disabled access to the Hall and playground
Disabled toilets (inside and outside)
Showers (not accessible for the disabled)
Children’s playground and field
Defibrillator
Solar Panels
Ground Source Heat Pump
Underfloor Heating
Free Wi-fi
The Hall offers a range of clubs and activities, for those of all ages, who want something physically challenging, something more leisurely, or something cultural or creative.
ART CLUB
Thursday: 2.00pm-4.00pm
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SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday and Thursday: 7.00pm-9.00pm
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CHOIR
Wednesday: 8.00pm
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DRU YOGA
Thursday: 10.30am-11.30am
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FILM CLUB
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