THE campaign to save Newbridge Memorial Hall received a major boost last week as over 300 people packed into the old building.

It was this facility that formed the cornerstone of the community as a dance, drama and cinema venue throughout the last century.

In recent years however the venue known affectionately as the 'Memo' has fallen into decline but the old place was buzzing again last Thursday.

The reason - An Evening of Clairvoyance with Susan Clements - and judging by the reaction of the locals it couldn't have went any better.

Howard Stone, Chairman of the Friends of Newbridge - the group set up to raise funds for the hall - said the place was packed to the rafters with extra chairs having to be

brought into the hall to meet demand.

Over £1,000 was raised thanks to the efforts of renowned clairvoyant Susan Clements who performed on the night free of charge.

Mr Jones could not sing her praises highly enough."To do this for us for nothing was fantastic," he said. "The people really enjoyed it but we did not expect so many of them

to turn up."

The money will go a long way to help save the Memorial Hall as it has fallen into disrepair with it only been open for a dance night on a Tuesday in recent months.

In its heyday, The Celynen Colleries Workingman's Institute and Memorial Hall was the focus of social activities in Newbridge as a prominent centre for amateur drama and a

thriving cinema.

Earlier this year, more than 1,100 people signed a petition called for the hall to be restored and preserved.

More than 200 people attended a public meeting in April and Islwyn MP Don Touhig, who chaired the meeting, believes the people of Newbridge can help the venue recapture

its former glory.

"The people of the community saw the problems facing the memo and have come together to provide a solution for themselves," he said.

"This latest success(An Evening of Clairvoyance) shows that the community which built the memo is now making a future for it. They are doing a wonderful job, and I am

proud to support them - I will continue to do all I can to help."

The idea for the night came from Gerald Clements whose father was Master of Ceremonies at the Memorial Hall for thirty years.

He was convinced that his ex-wife Susan could help out and she had no hesitation in accepting the invitation.

She said: "It is so important to maintain the tradition and heritage of the building that was so important to so many people."