The Rhondda Powerhouse is a Grade 2 listed building at the heart of the Rhondda Valleys. In 1905 the Powerhouse was built by the then owner Archibald Hood as part of the Cambrian Colliery complex. In 1910, the Powerhouse was damaged during riots after lock-out notices were issued to miners after they refused pay cuts in August that year. Three months later an official strike began by all of those employed by the Cambrian Combine. By 7 November, work at all the Cambrian Combine collieries had stopped, with the exception of the Llwynypia pit. Tension turned into violence as some strikers tried to stop others from going to work, and there were riots at Tonypandy

and at the Powerhouse, where windows were smashed . There was open fighting between workmen and the police, shops and other properties were destroyed. After the rioting, the Home Secretary, Winston Churchill, sent troops into the area to keep the peace. They stayed there for weeks and this made him unpopular in the area for many years. The workers were on strike until October 1911 when they were forced to return on the owners' terms and conditions.

The building, which comprises of a vast open space, has been in a poor state of repair. The Grade 2 listing was recently down ranked from 2 star due to the poor condition, but is still capable of refurbishment.

 

 

 

                              

 

In 2005 a group of like minded people began working together to discuss how they could redevelop this building and in June 2006 a feasibility report was completed by consulting agency, Hyder. End uses for the building include a café/bistro, flexible office and community space and a bunk house. In August 2006, the Rhondda Powerhouse Trust became a constituted group and applied for registration with Companies House and the Charity Commission and are currently working towards becoming a Building Preservation Trust.

The group are working on all aspects of the development of the building including centenary celebration projects to commemorate the 1910 Tonypandy riots in which the Powerhouse was a main feature.