A VALLEYS workingmen’s club threatened with closure is thriving once again, after a determined committee and loyal punters put it back at the heart of the community.

In December 2009, Twyn-y-Ffald Constitutional Club in Cefn Fforest was facing ruinous debt and the possibility of closure.

The workingmen’s club - which is more than 100 years old - had been hit hard by the smoking ban, and then the recession, before it was served with a £15,000 VAT bill.

But when new chairman Ian Smith took over, he was determined not to let the club go.

Mr Smith said: “I sat down, sorted out a payment plan, and started to put the club back on its feet.”

Mr Smith and his committee introduced later opening hours at weekends, disco and karaoke nights, and shows every Sunday afternoon.

Two and a half years on, the club is out of debt, its weekly turnover has tripled, and a £30,000 refurbishment has helped bring it right into the 21st century.

Mr Smith, who also acts as the club’s steward, said: “We used those things to bring it back to life. It’s still a very traditional workingmen’s club, but we’ve got younger people coming in too, which will keep it going in the future.”

Weekly takings are up from £2,000 to £6,000, the club has taken on two new staff and membership has risen from 180 to 240 members.

The club has also started allowing female members to join - one of the few in the area to do so.

Mr Smith now wants to encourage other clubs in the area not to give up in hard times.

He said: “Do not give up. The first day I became chairman this lady walked in with bad news from the VAT office, but you can do it.

“It would have been so missed in the town, but we are now the strongest club in the village.”

  • Twyn-y-Ffald Constitutional Club is running a “Top Clubs Got Talent” competition for over 18s on Friday nights from 7.30pm. Entry is £1 and proceeds will go to the children’s cancer unit in Cardiff.