'Save our centre' (From Barry And District News)

'Save our centre'

A NEW group has been formed to try and save a 120-year-old building in Barry from being demolished by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Friends of Cadoxton House was created three weeks ago, after local residents learned of the council's decision to close the building, as it was becoming too expensive to maintain.

Cadoxton House was built in the mid-1890s by John Jewel Williams for Dr Edward Treharne, whom Treharne Street was named after.

Mr Williams, who came from North Devon and who was a veteran of the Siege of Sebastopol, also built the Royal Hotel and Jewel Street.

The building, however, is no longer being used as a family home but has found a new role as a council-run community arts and education centre.

The classes that are taught in the building are to be transferred to the Palmerston Centre.

A member of Friends of Cadoxton House, Annette Nesbitt, said: "Cadoxton House has run at a loss for a number of years, and this together with the lack of appropriate funding to maintain the building, is the main reason for closure.

"Palmerston Centre has recently spent a sum in the region of 30,000 on the creation of a one-room art block which is currently cited as an alternative venue following the closure of Cadoxton House.

"However, this provision would be vastly inferior and quite inadequate."

Last year four artists who take classes at Cadoxton House formed Barry Community Arts in an attempt to ensure the continued use of the building.

Mrs Nesbitt added: "Barry Community Arts would wish to emulate the fine example of Llanover Hall in Cardiff and to provide Barry with a thriving arts centre, offering a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities as well as a facility for the local community.

"A local caterer has already expressed interest in setting up a caf on the premises and rooms could be available for hire to local groups for meetings etc."