From The Voice September 23rd 1961:
ONCE DERELICT BUILDING IS NOW AN UP TO DATE BALLROOM
Only a few months ago the Premier Dance Hall Ystalyfera was looked upon as a derelict building, almost an eyesore. It has now become one of the finest ballrooms in the locality, this being completely due to the initiative and enterprise of Mr George Nicholas, an Ystradgynlais businessman.
This dance hall has given Ystalyfera and the people of the locality a mecca for entertainment and the business people of the village a much improved custom.
The old Premier was originally a billiards hall and cinema but was converted into a dance hall before the Second World War. At that time it was a popular meeting place with dancing enthusiasts. Later it was taken over as the school canteen by the County Council.
When Mr Nicholas bought it, as a keen ballroom dancer, he saw the possibility of the Premier again attaining the title: the leading ballroom in the district.
So despite protests from some church groups dancing was becoming popular after WWI. The annual trips to the sea side and the outings in the Charabanc, weather permitting, but what else entertained the local residents.
The picture houses were also very popular: the Coliseum in 1915 being described as the 'cosiest'
Ystalyfera was also visited by Bostocks and Wombells Travelling Zoo
Yeargroup was sent several photographs by Mr Cliff Davies of his grandfather Mr George Ernest DAVIES taken possibly in the late 1920's, showing George at the centre of his harmonica band and dressed in his 'pierrot' costume. George was described in the 1919 paper as the versatile local comedian entertaining returning prisoners of war
1917 saw the first annual show of the Ystalyfera Poultry and Pigeon Society held in the Ystalyfera Church Hall.
And last but not least 'Pibau coed' an instrument in olden Wales [Bagpipes] played before the harp became popular. I must admit I had to look this one up.
Val Trevallion