On the muddy banks of the River Usk
Over a century ago
Lysaght built his steel works
And the workers came in tow.
They left their homes in Wolverhampton
For a new job, new home, new life
The work was hard and life was too
Filled with joys, and danger and strife.
They worked the gantry, they worked the race
And toiled for a pittance of pay
They took home to their cramped dwellings along Corpa Road
To keep the rentman at pay.
And so these men who owned nothing but pride
Had a vision and dared to dream
That they could own their own building
And so they started their scheme.
Their meagre wages they pooled and saved
And united in purpose stood straight
And too their delight Lysaght's Insititute opened
In Nineteen Twenty Eight.
Children's parties, ballroom dances
Boxing bouts all followed suit.
Evening dinners saints and sinners
All came to Lysaghts Institute.
For generations she stood strong
White pillars glistened in the sun
But now alas she stands alone
And is boarded up to everyone.
Her paint has peeled, her roof caved in
Fenced around and gone to rot.
And the men who worked to build her?
Well their heritage is long forgot.
And so her future is uncertain
Will she be restored as a jewel of the town?
Or for the sake of glorious redevelopment
Like the rest of Newport, be torn down?
Rachel Meates - October 2006
Lysaghts Memories by Herb Light
your comments
Mary, Sheffield
I remember Albert Davies. I think he had something to do with the founding of Lysaghts Institute. He came from the Midlands - he was a great worker for the people. He later became the Chairman of the Mary Dunn Club. There was a painting of him on the wall there which my dad (PJ Dolan) commissioned. In the mid 70's Dad used to hold the St Patrick's Night Dinner Dances at the Lysaght's Institue. There was a great stage and dancefloor there if I remember correctly.
Thu Sep 27 09:48:53 2007
Jane and Martin Dean from Newport
Spent many a evening in the stute when we were younger. Had our engagement party there, Jane's 21st birthday and our wedding reception - what a place. Now look at it, something should be done to restore the old beauty. Remember the afternoons after payday????
Mon Jul 16 10:51:59 2007
Tracey Lysaght from Birmingham
I noticed the building and could not belive my eyes as the same name. Trying to find more information?
Tue Apr 10 10:59:07 2007
Ronald Smith from Newcastle, NSW, Australia
My grandfather came from Wolverhampton to work at Lysaghts - he lived in Corporation Road Newport, married my grandmother Lillian Young and with their 3 children came to Australia in 1917 aboard the "Thermistocles", with the 'pioneers' to set up Lysaghts in Newcastle, New South Wales. Of course Lysaghts Australia had an Institute for the benefit of the kids of Lysaght employees. Mr Eric Hill was general manager of Lysaghts and he was a great supporter of the Institute.
Mon Dec 18 11:42:42 2006
A Stokes, Newport
I noticed my son had written here about his wedding reception in Lysaghts Institute. He is the second son to have his there. When we were single, my friends and I always went dancing there twice a week. It was wonderful. Ahhh memories.
Mon Dec 11 16:25:27 2006
Dave Lloyd, Newport
As a "Corpa Boy" the "Stute" was a big part in all our lives. We had the annual Xmas show when we all got a brown bag with fruit, sweets and a half crown as well. Then of coarse we had the summer trip to Barry, when the families all had a great day out never mind the weather. Lysaghts was the place that provided jobs for all the family and all my mates. The Stute was brilliant with the addition of a beer-garden (where we all had our first drink)made it a great place on a summer night when the men were playing skittles and us kids ran wild. The steward I remember first was named Grant and I used to play with his son Hedley. To see the building now falling to pieces makes me very annoyed, after all who is responsible for it??
Great times and a great place, don't let it follow the Art College in Clarence Place.
Wed Nov 22 14:17:42 2006
David Stokes from Newport
Nice memories - I had my wedding reception there in 1984, still going strong after 22 years!
Mon Nov 20 12:56:22 2006
Haydn Garrett
Great Saturday dances at the 'stute'. Johnny and the Hurricanes belting it out. Amongst my first illeagal pints (a brown top, I believe it was). Hot & sweaty, the inevitable fight about 10.30pm. However you could then get out quick, rescue your chosen lady for the evening from harm, and look like a hero!!!
Wed Nov 15 10:06:15 2006
Janet Puckett nee Hultberg
My grandfather was one of the steelworkers who came from Wolverhampton - Thomas Arthur, he lived in Magor Street with my nan Sally. They had 4 girls and a son, my mum was the youngest. I was also born in Magor Street. My dad went to work at Lysaghts after he came back from the war. I remember waiting for his wages on a Friday so I could pay the rent. He would walk home - I would catch the bus with all the work men and go to town, had to get that free week at Christmas and get the rent paid on time. I also remember the parties at the club and in the summer - I was all but 10 years of age! Thanks for the memory.
Fri Nov 10 09:49:28 2006
A poem by Rachel Meates
