AFTER years of campaigning and fundraising, work will finally start on the £5.6m restoration of Newbridge's much-loved Memo this week.

The fight to save the grade II listed Newbridge Memo and Institute has been a long ordeal, with thousands of people making donations and taking part in fundraising events, as well as the dedicated trustees of the project working tirelessly behind the scenes to apply for grants.

In 2004 the Argus launched a successful campaign to raise £1.5m towards funding the project, which is home to various community groups, arts and fitness classes, dance groups, as well as being used for concerts, wedding receptions and parties.

But now, thanks to a helping hand from Caerphilly council, the scaffolding is set to go up this week and work will start on February 7.

Howard Stone, Memo chairman, explained that work on the project had stalled due to cash flow problems, but Caerphilly council has stepped in and agreed to pay all invoices up front to allow the builders to start.

£4.1m already earmarked by organisations such as the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations, CADW, the Assembly Government and European Union will be given back to the council when it comes in, meaning work won't be held up by waiting for grants to arrive.

The agreement with the council was signed last week and now the initial phase will see six first floor windows in the Institute replaced and double-glazed.

Work will then begin on the roof of the Memo to stop leaks which have damaged various rooms, including the ballroom, over the last year.

Mr Stone added: "It’s been a very convoluted process with so many hoops to jump through and red tape. Luckily, the team fought through it and now we have brought all the funding streams into one workable project."

He said talks with Caerphilly council had been drawn out as the local authority needed to know the funding was guaranteed and it wasn’t risking taxpayers money.

Caerphilly Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Ron Davies said he was delighted with the partnership and is looking forward to seeing this historic venue restored to its former glory.

The restoration work on the grade-two listed Memo and adjoining Institute will see them turned into facilities to be used by the whole community.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Restoration joy for Memo

AT last!

Today we report on how the £5.6 million restoration of Newbridge Memo is to finally start after years of hard work.

Scaffolding is set to go up and repair work on the roof will then begin.

Readers will know of the long struggle that has gone on to reach this point.

Several years ago the Argus campaigned for the Memo for refurbished and brought back to life as a valuable community centrepiece.

It’s certainly been a rollercoaster of emotions but at last it looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel.

We should pay a special tribute to Howard Stone, the Memo’s chairman.

He has worked tirelessly for years to reach this point and he must be delighted to have reached this stage.

Well done to Mr Stone and everyone else involved in this wonderful project.