New life hope for NHS birthplace

Aneurin Bevan set up the NHS based on the scheme in Tredegar

The home of a small medical self-help group which helped inspire the National Health Service could be reborn at the heart of a south Wales community.

Number 10, The Circle, once housed the offices of the Tredegar Workmen's Medical Aid Society.

Tredegar-born Health Minister Aneurin Bevan used the scheme as a model for the NHS when it was founded in 1948.

The building's trustees have now been given £50,000 which they hope will pave the way to its restoration.

The Tredegar Development Trust bought the building after fears it would be demolished when it fell into disrepair, and the money will be used to pay for consultancy work on its future use.

The trust regards this building as of national importance because of Tredegar's pioneering role in the development of the NHS Graham Hathaway, Tredegar Development Trust

It is hoped eventually the building will be used as a self-sufficient community enterprise.

The trust stepped in to buy it after years of neglect meant it had fallen into disrepair, with damage to the structure and vandalism to windows and doors.

Bevan based the NHS on the community health scheme which covered nearly all of the town's residents during the 1920s and 1930s through weekly subscriptions.

This entitled members and their dependants to the best in medical and dental care.

The derelict building was once the hub of the health scheme

The building was used as the scheme's administrative headquarters in 1919, and it was eventually sold after the NHS was founded.

Since the trust bought the building last May, some temporary repair work has been done to prevent further damage. Funding has been agreed with the Heritage Lottery Fund to pay for consultancy work to decide the options for the future.

"This is an exciting project for Tredegar," said trust director Graham Hathaway. "The trust regards this building as of national importance because of Tredegar's pioneering role in the development of the National Health Service.

"It presents a unique and important challenge for us. We also want to see how the community feels it should be developed."

The trust's Howard Davies said suggestions for the building were welcomed.

Temporary repair work has been undertaken at the building

"We would like it to be a community use building, but it has to be sustainable - it has to pay for itself," he said.

Ideas have included a Bevan museum and a community arts studio.

But the trustees admitted their dream remains a long way from reality, and they still face the hurdles of grant applications for funding.

It is not just important for the people of Tredegar but the people of Wales to celebrate what Aneurin Bevan did for us Darren Jones

Project manager Irena Morgan said: "Fingers crossed, it will at least be part up and running by the time of the 60th anniversary of the NHS in 2008.

"This £50,000 is the first step for us achieving that."

The idea appears to have local support. Darren Jones, 41, who works for steel firm Corus, said: "It was originally the place where the NHS was set up and I think it is excellent that they are trying to restore the building.

"It is not just important for the people of Tredegar, but the people of Wales to celebrate what Aneurin Bevan did for us."

Angela Williams, 51, said: "It's very important to remember that the NHS was set up here in Tredegar.

"But I just hope that the building is used for the young people in the town.

"They don't have anything much to do here and it would be a good thing for them to have somewhere to go," she added.