Bangor Town Hall

Last updated

Bangor Town Hall
Native name
Neuadd y Dref Bangor
Town Hall (1).jpg
Bangor Town Hall (with the administration building of Bangor University in the background)
LocationFfordd Deiniol, Bangor
Coordinates 53°13′39″N4°07′43″W / 53.2274°N 4.1285°W / 53.2274; -4.1285
Builtc.1546
Architectural style(s) Vernacular style
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameTown Hall
Designated27 May 1949
Reference no.3951
Gwynedd UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Shown in Gwynedd

Bangor Town Hall (Welsh : Neuadd y Dref Bangor), formerly The Bishop's Palace (Welsh : Plas yr Esgob), is a municipal building on Ffordd Deiniol, in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. The structure, which is now used as a museum, is a Grade II listed building. [1]

Contents

History

Bishop's Palace

The building was commissioned by the Bishop of Bangor, probably Arthur Bulkeley, as his residence and was completed in around 1546. [2] [3] The original design involved the right-hand part of the present central block, facing south towards Bangor Cathedral, and the east wing, which was projected forward. It was considerably extended at the request of the then-bishop, Henry William Majendie, creating a west wing, the left-hand part of the present central block and additions at the rear of the central block in 1810. The central wing then comprised six bays with a two-storey jettied and gabled porch in the second bay from the left. The other bays were fenestrated by tri-partite sash windows on both floors. The four bays on the right also contained dormer windows at attic level. The ends of the wings, which were projected forward as pavilions, were fenestrated with bi-partite sash windows on both floors. A slate plaque was installed reading: "Dominus Gulielimus Episcopus Aedificavit AD - 1810" (English: The home of Bishop William erected in the year of our lord 1810). [1] The building ceased to be used as the bishop's residence in 1900. [4]

Town Hall

After the borough council was reformed under the Municipal Corporations Act 1883, [5] the new civic leaders decided to acquire the building and to convert it for use as its headquarters in 1903. The building was renamed "Town Hall" (despite Bangor being a city) in 1908. [6] Internally, the principal new room established was the council chamber, which featured a vaulted ceiling, on the first floor. [1] It continued to serve as the local municipal headquarters when Arfon District Council was formed in 1974, [7] [8] but ceased to be the local seat of government when the enlarged Gwynedd Council was formed in 1996. [9] However, it continued to be used as an area office of Gwynedd Council until 2013. [10]

Storiel Museum

In March 2014, an extensive programme of refurbishment works costing £2.6 million was initiated, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to convert the building into a museum. [11] [12]

The Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, which had been located in The Canonry in Tan-y-Fynwent, relocated to the former Town Hall, which re-opened as the Storiel (a portmanteau formed from the Welsh words stori (story) and oriel (gallery)) on 30 January 2016. [13] [14] [15] The collection, which includes items assembled by Bangor University since it first opened in 1884, features a Roman artefact known as the "Segontium Sword", found at the Roman fort of Segontium. [16] [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caernarfon</span> Town in Gwynedd, Wales

Caernarfon is a royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales. It has a population of 9,852. It lies along the A487 road, on the eastern shore of the Menai Strait, opposite the island of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is 8.6 miles (13.8 km) to the north-east, while Snowdonia (Eryri) fringes Caernarfon to the east and south-east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwynedd</span> County and preserved county in Wales

Gwynedd is a county in the north-west of Wales. It borders Anglesey across the Menai Strait to the north, Conwy, Denbighshire, and Powys to the east, Ceredigion over the Dyfi estuary to the south, and the Irish Sea to the west. The city of Bangor is the largest settlement, and the administrative centre is Caernarfon. The preserved county of Gwynedd, which is used for ceremonial purposes, includes the Isle of Anglesey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangor, Gwynedd</span> City and community in Wales

Bangor is a cathedral city and community in Gwynedd, North Wales. It is the oldest city in Wales. Historically part of Caernarfonshire, it had a population of 18,322 in 2019. Landmarks include Bangor Cathedral, Bangor University and Garth Pier. The Britannia and Menai Suspension bridges connect the city to the Isle of Anglesey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pwllheli</span> Town in north-west Wales

Pwllheli is a market town and community of the Llŷn Peninsula, north-western Wales. It lies in the traditional county of Caernarfonshire, but is currently administered as part of the unitary authority of Gwynedd. It had a population of 4,076 in 2011 of whom a large proportion, 81%, are Welsh speaking. Pwllheli is the place where Plaid Cymru was founded. It is the birthplace of the Welsh poet Sir Albert Evans-Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">District of Arfon</span> Former district of Gwynedd, Wales

The Borough of Arfon was local government district with borough status from 1974 to 1996, being one of five districts in the county of Gwynedd, north-west Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Segontium</span> Roman fort in Gwynedd, Wales

Segontium is a Roman fort on the outskirts of Caernarfon in Gwynedd, North Wales. The fort, which survived until the end of the Roman occupation of Britain, was garrisoned by Roman auxiliaries from present-day Belgium and Germany. It was the most important military base and administrative centre in this part of Britain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Hall, Caernarfon</span> County building in Caernarfon, Wales

County Hall is a former municipal facility at Castle Ditch in Caernarfon, Wales. The County Hall, which was the headquarters of Caernarfonshire County Council from 1889 to 1974, is a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montgomery Town Hall</span> Municipal Building in Montgomery, Wales

Montgomery Town Hall is a municipal building in Broad Street, Montgomery, Wales. It served as the meeting place of Montgomery Borough Council and is a Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beaumaris Town Hall</span> Municipal Building in Beaumaris, Wales

Beaumaris Town Hall is a municipal building on Castle Street, in Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales. The structure, which is the meeting place of Beaumaris Town Council, is a Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laugharne Town Hall</span> Municipal Building in Laugharne, Wales

Laugharne Town Hall is a municipal building in Market Street in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The structure, which is the meeting place of Laugharne Corporation, is a Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bala Town Hall</span> Municipal Building in Bala, Wales

Bala Town Hall, known in the late 19th century as the County Hall, is a municipal building in Bala, Gwynedd, Wales. The structure, which is now used as a restaurant, is a Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tremadog Town Hall</span> Municipal Building in Tremadog, Wales

Tremadog Town Hall is a municipal building on Stryd Fawr, in Tremadog, Gwynedd, Wales. The structure, which was most recently used as a shop, is a Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Market Hall, Blaenau Ffestiniog</span> Municipal Building in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales

The Old Market Hall is a municipal building in the Market Place, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, Wales. The structure, which also served as the Town Hall, is a Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Hall, Dolgellau</span> County Building in Dolgellau, Wales

County Hall is a municipal building in Smithfield Street, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales. The structure, which was the headquarters of Merionethshire County Council, is a Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neuadd Dwyfor</span> County Building in Pwllheli, Wales

Pwllheli Town Hall is a municipal building in Penlan Street, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, Wales. The structure, which now operates as an arts centre, is a Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crickhowell Market Hall</span> Municipal Building in Crickhowell, Wales

Crickhowell Market Hall, formerly Crickhowell Town Hall, is a municipal building in the High Street, Crickhowell, Powys, Wales. The structure, which accommodates market stalls on the ground floor and a café on the first floor, is a Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caernarfon Criminal Justice Centre</span> Judicial building in Caernarfon, Wales

The Caernarfon Criminal Justice Centre is a Crown Court venue, which deals with criminal cases, in Llanberis Road, Caernarfon, Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kidwelly Town Hall</span> Municipal Building in Kidwelly, Wales

Kidwelly Town Hall is a municipal building in Lady Street, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The structure, which was last used as a public library but is currently vacant, is a Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llantrisant Guildhall</span> Municipal Building in Llantrisant, Wales

Llantrisant Guildhall is a municipal building on Castle Green, Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. The structure, which is used as a visitor centre, is a Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cawdor Hall</span> Municipal Building in Newcastle Emlyn, Wales

Cawdor Hall, also known as Newcastle Emlyn Town Hall, is a municipal building in the Market Square, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The structure, which is currently used as a theatre, is a Grade II listed building.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cadw. "Town Hall (3951)". National Historic Assets of Wales . Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Building History". Storiel. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. ↑ Haslam, Richard; Orbach, Julian; Voelcker, Adam; Alfrey, Judith (2009). Gwynedd Anglesey, Caernarvonshire and Merioneth (Buildings of Wales Series). Yale University Press. p. 243. ISBN   978-0300141696.
  4. ↑ "Bishop's Palace; Town Hall; Neuadd y Dref". Coflein. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  5. ↑ Municipal Corporations Act 1883 (46 & 46 Vict. Ch. 18) (PDF). 1883. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Bangor Town Hall". Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald. Caernarfon. 10 January 1908. p. 6. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  7. ↑ Local Government Act 1972. 1972 c.70. The Stationery Office Ltd. 1997. ISBN   0-10-547072-4.
  8. ↑ "No. 52305". The London Gazette . 18 October 1990. p. 16245.
  9. ↑ "Local Government (Wales) Act 1994", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1994 c. 19, retrieved 8 November 2022
  10. ↑ "Jobs could be created at Bangor Town Hall". North Wales Live. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "Heritage Lottery funding boost for Gwynedd's Heritage". National Lottery Heritage Fund. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "Gwynedd Museum may move to Bishop's Palace in Bangor". BBC. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  13. ↑ Williams, Mike (23 February 2016). "Bangor's new Storiel centre saw 5,000 visitors before it even officially opened". North Wales Chronicle. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  14. ↑ "Bangor museum Storiel open to public". Seren. 14 February 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "New museum and gallery opens doors in Gwynedd". North Wales Live. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "Sword from the Roman fort of Segontium (Caernarfon)". People's Collection Wales. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  17. ↑ "A History of the World: The Segontium Sword". BBC. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.