Hanes / History

Yn Ionawr 1940, bu farw Mrs M E M Griffith Jones, Folkstone, a gadawodd weddill ei heiddio i bobl Llanarthne er mwyn codi Neuadd Bentref Newydd, ac at y pwrpas hwnnw yn unig yr oedd yr arian i’w ddefnyddio. Roedd gan Mrs M E M Griffith Jones gysylltiadau agos â chapel Saron.

Oherwydd yr Ail Ryfel Byd a phrinder deunyddiau, araf iawn oedd y datblygiadau. Ar ôl 5 mlynedd, gallai’r gymynrodd fod wedi ei throsglwyddo i elusen arall ac yn 1953 aethpwyd â’r Ymddiriedolwyr i’r Uchel Lys. Enillwyd yr achos hwnnw a chawsant gadw’r £1,500 er mwyn codi neuadd newydd.

Pan werthwyd cyfranddaliadau’r elusen yn 2007, derbyniwyd £187,000. Y trobwynt ar gyfer yr ymdiriedolwyr newydd, a benodwyd yn 1998, oedd derbyn y cae yn rhodd gan Mr a Mrs Evan Davies, Cliftonville, er cof am eu merch Mrs Margaret Bowen. Galluogodd hyn ni i gael caniatâd cynllunio ac yn ddiweddarach, i gyflwyno ceisiadau am grantiau gan 1 Gronfa Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin a Rhaglen Gymunedol Llywodraeth y Cynulliad. Rydym ys ddiolchgar i’r uchod am eu gweledigaeth, eu haelioni a’u cymorth.

In January 1940 Mrs M E M Griffith Jones, Folkstone passed away and left a legacy to the village of Llanarthne. The sole purpose of which was to build a village hall, for the benifit of the local community. Due to the stringency’s of the Second World War there was a lack of building materials, and plans had to be put in abeyance. The money was left in the hands of the charities commission where it was wisely invested on the stock market.

When cashed in 2007 the original £3,000 legacy, realised £187,000. Plans to build the hall were finalised when Mr and Mrs Evan Davies, Cliftonville, generously donated a field on the edge of the village, in memory of their daughter, Mrs Margaret Bowen. This provided a site on which to build the hall, plus grounds for a play area and car parking facilities.

Grants were accessed from 1 Fund, Carmarthenshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Goverment Communities Fund.

The design of the hall incorporates sustainabilty, including social, environmental and economic aspects, and sits sensitively in its environment. Geothermal heating in association with sola panels ensure that its carbon footprint is light.

Now that the hall is up and running, the committee organise several events during the year, but the building is also available to hire for wedding reception, parties, conferences, meetings and other events.