Before local boundary changes extinguished Islwyn Borough Council, one of their last acts was to acquire the Risca Colliers’ Institute by means of a European development grant, to house the museum and extend the facilities of Oxford House Adult Education Centre.

This working relationship continued under Caerphilly County Borough Council until cuts in their budgets forced them to review their Adult Education Services. Following this review, they decided to transfer the running of the Colliers’ Institute by means of Community Asset Transfer. This resulted in a large increase in the running costs for the Museum.

As the Museum is run by volunteers and relies for it’s funding on donations from members of the public, it was decided to launch Friends of Risca Museum.  This gave anyone who wished to support the continuing existence of this unique institution the opportunity to support us by giving  an annual donation of £10, not much more than a couple of pints of real ale. Some Friends have arranged standing orders and we hope all our Friends will renew their contribution for in the future. However, we also need many more to join to guarantee the long term future of the Museum. 

By becoming a Friend, you will receive a regular newsletter letting you know what is happening in the Museum and and informing you of new acquisitions or special events. Please help if you can. What about making someone a Friend as a present? You can do this by filling in the form here or just call in to the Museum on a Saturday between 10.00 am and 12.30 pm.

Membership Application Form

Please print the form, complete all the details and post back to us.

Alternatively, bring it along to the museum any Saturday between 10 am and 12.30 pm.