"Griffithstown Distinction"

 

Mr John Walters, The croft, Griffithstown, who has been admitted to membership of the Order of the British Empire, is administrator of Baldwins Auxiliary Hospital, Griffithstown, in which capacity he had rendered great service in brightening the lot of wounded soldiers. He has been a member of the Panteg Council for many years, and one of the original members of the Eastern Valleys Sewerage Board, Panteg Food Control Committee, War Pensions Committee, and Pontypool Local Advisory Committee (employers’ side). He is also chairman of the Panteg Area Comforts Fund, and a senior deacon at Crane Street Baptist Church, Pontypool.

 

Panteg House, originally Belvedere, was built in the 19th Century as a residence for the manager of Panteg Steelworks, in 1873 Isaac Butler and his family moved in when he was brought in as an engineer from Swansea, one of three who implemented a reorganisation if the works. In 1920 the house was given for the benefit of the Panteg Employees’ Club and Recreational Institute.

 

During WW1 it was taken over as a military hospital, and in WW2 it was again requisitioned by the military.  After WW2 it was left in a poor state.  The assembly room was used by the team of draughtsmen responsible for the designs of the planned British Nylon Spinners that was built at Mamhilad. Panteg house has outlived both BNS and Panteg Steelworks. Today it houses a variety of local clubs and organisations.

 

"Griffithstown - The Story of its origin and the development of its Social Organisations  with the expansion of the Railway and the Steel Industry." (by Arthur J. Pritchard)

 

For many years past, the proprietors of Panteg Works have believed in the policy of what may be described as “Sociability,” indeed it may truthfully be said that the late Sir J. C. Davies was one of the pioneers of this policy in the country. The development of this policy by subsequent management has resulted in the provision of a most efficient Welfare section at the Works and an excellent “Social club” at Panteg House where all grades of management and workmen may beet in complete and mutual freedom.  The house, long the residence of the Managing-Director of Panteg Works, has been transformed and now contains reading rooms, games rooms, a lounge with bar and a large room for concerts, dinners and social meetings of all kinds with modern kitchen and equipment. Based on “the house” are all kinds of sport and games, including football, cricket, lawn tennis and bowls, billiards, table-tennis and other table games in season, with provision for music and the Drama. Nearer the Works Canteen has been designed so that it can be used for a variety of purposes and contains a piano and wireless set for music and dancing and a stage for concerts and plays. The Works has its own medical service with a well equipped surgery and a doctor who is available for consultation by any employee in whatever department he or she may work. The St. John Ambulance movement has always been very strong at Panteg and classes and lectures are regularly held under the direction of enthusiastic members, some of whom are veterans and hold orders in the Association.

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