IN the heart of Cross Hands is the Cross Hands Public Hall and Cinema.

The building has been standing for more than a century, so here we take a look at what we know about the hall’s life.

Cross Hands Public Hall and Cinema was built in 1904 but was much smaller than the grand building seen today. It was built and used as a public hall for the local community.

In 1932, building work took place to revamp the hall, bringing it into the imposing structure seen now.

When finished, the building had ancillary rooms at the back of the building and there was an auditorium with balcony and stage which had original Art Deco plasterwork.

The auditorium’s ceiling had a French façade design, however, this now doesn’t exist. Local minters would contribute to the upkeep of the hall with 1p coming out of their weekly wages.

It is not known exactly who built the new hall but it is believed local stonemason Eddie Wilkins was involved according to CrossHandsHallandCinema.co.uk.

The hall provided a hub for entertainment with a range of weekly shows including appearances from actress Sybil Thorndyke, actor Huw Gruffudd and singers Cleo Lane and Johnny Dankworth.

The famed London Symphony Orchestra has also performed at the hall. There was also appearances from Welsh comedians Ronnie and Ryan.

Visitors to the hall would be able to watch variety shows, dramas, oratorios and opera.

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As well as the established acts mentioned above, the hall began the careers of local actors Ernest Evans and Buddig Williams who were known for playing Sgt Jenkins and Aunty Marion in Pobl Y Cwm respectively.

Over the following decades, as more and more people turned to the ever-increasing programmes on television and the coal industry declined, the hall was left to run into ruin.

It was closed in 1984 and for almost a decade, was stood in a ruinous state as an eyesore.

Cllr Bryn Davies had been fighting to keep the hall open and in 1991 when he was deputy mayor he started a quest for a grant to secure the future of the hall.

Support from the Welsh Office, Llanelli Borough Council and Carmarthenshire District Council meant that there was £640,000 available to help restore the hall to its former glory.

It took five years from the campaign for the grant until the hall reopened on April 26, 1996.

There was a concert from the Cross Hands District Ladies Choir, Cor-Y-Rhyd and pupils from Maes Yr Yrfa and Gwendraeth Secondary Schools.

It was opened the first chief executive of Carmarthenshire County Council which was formally set up earlier that month.

The hall has been in operation ever since and regularly shows new films in the cinema which is the majority of the entertainment on offer now, however, there is still the ability to host live stage performances.

The hall is now run by volunteers from the community under the banner of Cross Hands Hall management committee.

To find out more about the hall and see what’s on offer, visit https://crosshandshallandcinema.co.uk/