THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
Join the residents of Rhosllannerchrugog and the surrounding area to celebrate a building which has been at the heart of the community and an inspiration for the arts for a hundred years.
At the end of September 2026 the Miners’ Institute ( the Stiwt ) in Rhos will celebrate the centenary of the opening of the building in 1926 ( the year of the General Strike) built with contributions from the local miners of 2d a week from their wages for almost a decade.
Designed as a centre to promote culture, entertainment and education in the area it inspired many politicians, educators, musicians and actors in Wales. Faced with the closure and threat of demolition of the Stiwt in the 1970s, the local community set out to raise funds and work voluntarily to save the building, and in 1997 the refurbished Stiwt was reopened, once again becoming a stronghold for culture and the Welsh language on the border.
Over 30 years later we want to remember the past, celebrate the present and ensure a future for the building through a number of exciting events held in the area throughout 2026, culminating in a special weekend 25th-27th September to mark exactly one hundred years since the building opened.
We are keen to collect archive, stories and also record the unique vocabulary of the area to create a special volume to be published to celebrate our dialect.
A local committee has been formed to steer this special year (which will also form part of Wrexham’s Year of Wonder) and we are keen to welcome other to join us to support the initiative. We are grateful and proud of support already offered by partners such as The National Eisteddfod, National Library of Wales, Wrexham University, Theatr Clwyd, Minera Studios Cymru; and supporters such Ty Pawb, Avow, Screen Alliance Wales, Ffilm Cymru/Wales, BBC Cymru/Wales, Menter Iaith Fflint a Wrecsam, together with the Wrexham Borough and local councils and community organisations.
THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES, WREXHAM AND DISTRICT
2-9th August 2025
During the Welsh National Eisteddfod Stiwt-related events on the field will include:
- Sunday 3rd August 15.15 – 16.00. A session at the prestigious Literature Tent about the dialect of the area.
- Tuesday 5th August 7.30 – 8.30 pm. An entertainment event at the Encore stage to promote the centenary.
Look out for other locally focussed events on the Eisteddfod Field throughout the week
Further information will be updated on this page once confirmed, so remember to visit often and keep an eye out for a public meeting at the Stiwt to share the vision and invite ideas, support and contributions to this special year.
You can also offer your help by emailing here ( add Stiwt2026 in the subject line) including your name, contact details and how you would like to contribute – as a member of the steering committee, through contribution in kind of financially or to offer ideas for events and local words, phrases and nicknames.
Join the celebrations! Enjoy the Events! Contribute to the Cause!
Events: January/February 2026.
One of early opportunities will be for up to 8 emerging film maker in the area.
Ffilm Cymru/Wales has funded this project through Red Seam Productions, with the support of Minera Studios Cymru.
Applications will be invited in September/October 2025 – keep an eye on our website for further info.