SOCIAL LIFE

Many organisations, clubs and societies existed at various times from the 1800's when pigeon fancying became one of the earliest communal activities.  All ages and tastes were catered for and while many organisations were merely pleasant pastimes others were of a more serious nature.  A wide variety of sporting interests were catered for including pigeon racing, whippet racing, quoits, rifle-shooting, boxing, rugby, soccer, cricket, skittles, billiards and snooker.  Music also played a large part in the social life of Deri with the Deri Silver Band and various choirs.  The focal point of social activity in the Darran Valley for much of the 29th century was the Deri Working Men's Institute, known locally as the "Stute".

 The "Stute"

First opened in 1922 the  "Stute" served the community in many ways including band practices, choir practices and St John Ambulance practices.  There were also sewing classes, gymnastic classes, shoe repairing classes, horticultural classes and dances..  Here the Rechabites, Deri Harmonica Band and local council met, and  polling booths were placed at election times.  There was a reading room, and a library and it is from there that many a future professional got his first glimpse of the world beyond the slagheaps and away from the pits.

The "Stute" was the largest building in the village and became the centre of Deri's social and cultural life. It provided the means for Deri people to hold their concerts, their eisteddfodaau, their drama competitions, their variety shows and during the strikes, their soup kitchens.

In 1920 a committee was formed  to organise a hall "for the use and pleasure of  Deri people". Elected officers were John Evans (Long) as chairman, John Edwards (Shoeshop) as treasurer and Gwilym Llewellyn as treasurer.  Money required to build the new hall would be raised by making a deduction from the men's pay of one penny a week.  Much of the building work was done by the men themselves, especially the digging of the foundations.  The officers and committee gave their services free.  The first commmittee members were Rev Isaac Evans, W.J.Giles (draper), T.J.Holifield, John Owen, W.B.Todd, D.J. Meredith, D.A.Bowen an, Edgar Bowen (miners).

The first caretaker, who also doubled as librarian was Mr. W R John from Ynysybwl, appointed out of a total of 348 applicants from all parts of Wales.  He was a popular figure who became a local councillor and later chairman of the Gelligaer Urban District Council.  He was also appointed a Justice of the Peace  and became a member of the Glamorgan County Council.

During the long hard months of the 1926 lockout, special eisteddfodau, concerts, dramas and first aid competitions were organised to raise finds to provide a soup  kitchen which was held in the "top hall".