As a result of the magnificent efforts of Mr Bell for the relief of distress in the village, close to 500 school children were entertained to a sumptuous tea at their respective schools - Fochriw, Penybank, and Pantywaun during February 1929. The school rooms had been gaily decorated with bunting, and the children were given a holiday. After tea, toys were given to each child. The boot repairing centre has been established, at which a number of the unemployed give their services, and during the last few weeks they have repaired about 300 pairs of boots, the work of repairing and collecting all being by unemployed men. The vicar, the Rev. J. C. Payne, preached at St. John's Church and St. Philip's Church, Kensington, by special request. Large congregations were attracted to hear the South Wales vicar, who was received with much warmth. London people had been very generous in forwarding large quantities of clothing and money to relieve some of the distress prevailing in the village.

During March 1929   it was advised that, since 25th January 1929, 300 persons had been assisted with clothing, etc., 400 cases had been relieved with vouchers, and hundreds of pairs of boots had being repaired by the unemployed at the centre. To their friends at Southgate, Fochriw people owed a great debt of gratitude for the noble sacrifices and great kindness in sending clothing and money.

During April 1929   a large number of cases were dealt with, and all relief available was granted. The people of Southgate continued to send clothes and money. The people of St Philip's, Kensington, also did noble work. New clothing had arrived from the Lord Mayor's Fund and was distributed. There were still about 80 to 100 unemployed in the village, a very large percentage of whom were not in receipt of unemployment relief. At the last committee meeting, a resolution was passed appealing to the Lord Mayor's committee to co-opt the following as members of the committee: Rev. J. C. Payne, vicar, and Mr. J. P. Isaac, headmaster of Fochriw School.

10 May 1930  Obituary: Mr. Richard Bell   Mr. Richard Bell, former Secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, and M.P. for Derby from 1900-1910, passed away last week. His memory will live long, and his great deeds of kindness will never be forgotten. He was one of the originators of getting Fochriw adopted by Southgate, and was instrumental in getting a large supply of clothing and money to the village.

The Distress Committee was finally wound up during December 1930 and it was decided to distribute the remaining surplus of money and goods amongst the most deserving cases in the district, after which the final audit would take place.

During August 1932 a well attended open air meeting of the unemployed persons living in the Fochriw District was held with the object of forming an unemployed lodge at Fochriw. County Councillor R. Roberts, Rhymney, gave a very interesting address on the problem of the unemployed, and pointed out how important it was that the unemployed should become more organised in the interests of themselves and their dependants. It was decided to form a Lodge.

In October 1932 a concert in aid of the unemployment fund for providing footwear for school children was held at Noddfa vestry. This was the first of a series of entertainments that was planned during the coming winter, and it was hoped that the public would rally round and support such a worthy cause.

During April 1933 a well attended meeting of the unemployed of the village was held at the Old Library. Several important subjects were dealt with bearing on the welfare of the unemployed, of whom there were about 150 in the village.