You are in: Places > Piercy (1828) > THE TOWN HALL.

THE TOWN HALL.

The Georgian Town Hall

It is greatly to be regretted that whilst other places have had their historians, and their draughtsmen, Retford should for centuries have been devoid of both; this deficiency cannot however, be said to have arisen from a lack of objects, because, (until within the last century’) few places of the same size could boast of a greater variety, amongst which the old Moot Hall, may not inappropriately he mentioned; now however, no traces of it are left, and no sketch, to my knowledge, at present in existence. In form it was something similar to the present one, though of smaller dimensions, built on the same site, chiefly of wood, in the post and pan style ; the roof very long, and covered with heavy slates; the windows, of which it contained six, were totally devoid of glass, its place being supplied by iron stauncheons, with doors of wood inside to prevent the intrusion of the weather; the main front was to the east, with the entrance in the centre, its approach being by a flight of very broad stone or wooden steps. The roof was surmounted by a small cupola, of a very antiquated appearance, containing a bell, but no clock.; this bell was rung at the commencement of the markets, and was also used for summoning the inhabitants to attend the courts, the sessions, &c. Underneath the hall, were the shambles similar to the present. The body of the hall was usually appropriated to the performance of theatrical and other amusements, until at length it was deemed imperatively necessary to take it down, to prevent it from falling, and on the 6th of August, 1764, the Corporation resolved upon its demolition.

The foundation of the present structure was laid in the year 1756; great precaution was used to secure its permanency, in consequence of the defective state of the sub-soil, the corners as well as some other parts were laid upon old millstones: the elevation is from two plans, one by Mr. White, and another by Mr. Watson; the former gentleman devised the decorations over the centre window, the latter nearly the whole of the remainder. In the tympan, which forms a triangular projection, are placed the armorial bearings of the town, which are two falcons respecting each other, upon a handsome shield, cut in freestone. The centre of the roof is finished by a neat cupola, surmounted by the four quarters of the horizon and a weathercock; under this the bell on which the clock strikes, is suspended, and a dial is placed on each of the principal quarters. The entrance is at the north end, and the visitor is particularly struck with the neatness and elegance which presents itself to the eye on entering the place; at the upper end of the room,—which is seventy feet by twenty-six feet, and twenty feet high, is an elevated bench, and upon the floor, a table, &c. used for the purposes of the quarter sessions which are here held for the borough, as well as those for the northern division of the county; this end is circularly finished, and the diameter is supported by four light fluted pillars of the Tonic order, which make an elegant finish to the part appropriated to the administration of justice. This room is extremely well lighted by twelve square-headed windows, the upper parts of which are plain and neat: on the inner side, over the entrance, is a triangular pediment highly ornamental, the upper angle of which is terminated by an artificial basket of flowers, executed in a superior manner: the workmanship of the ceiling displays considerable taste, more especially the centre and spandrills; the trellis work being completed by four ornamental knots; the whole finished by a rich and handsome cornice. To the left of the magisterial bench is a pair of folding doors leading to the council room, which is used by the Grand Jury at the sessions: this room is twenty feet by twenty-six feet, and though completed in a plain manner, with the exception of having a cornice similar to that in the great room, yet a degree of neatness characterizes the whole.

Over the fire place is a well executed portrait of King James the First, in his full robes of state, presented to the Corporation by His Grace the Duke of Newcastle: to the left is a large closet where the books belonging to the Retford Bench are kept; and to the right is the hutch where the charters and other documents, pertaining to the Corporation, are deposited. In this room the meetings of the body Corporate are held, and here also, the county Magistrates hold a petty session every other saturday. The great room is appropriated to the assemblies of the gentry of the town and neighbourhood, which are here, like angels’ visits—"few and far between" other public meetings too, are by permission of the bailiffs, generally held in this place. Underneath these two rooms are the shambles; the situation is perfectly adapted to the purpose, and great care has been taken in their formation for cleanliness and convenience, so much so, that a recent traveller describes them as being "the best in the county."

[<<Previous] [Next>>]