Reading Town Hall

Last updated

Reading Town Hall
Reading Town Hall Frontage.jpg
The town hall in 2018
Location map United Kingdom Reading Central.png
Red pog.svg
Location within Reading Town Centre
General information
Type Town hall
Architectural style Italianate
Classification
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated22 March 1957
Reference no. 1113400
Location Reading, Berkshire, UK
Coordinates 51°27′25″N0°58′12″W / 51.45695°N 0.97005°W / 51.45695; -0.97005 Coordinates: 51°27′25″N0°58′12″W / 51.45695°N 0.97005°W / 51.45695; -0.97005
Construction started1786
Completed1875;148 years ago (1875)
Design and construction
Architect(s) Alfred Waterhouse

Reading Town Hall is the town hall of Reading, Berkshire, England. The town hall was built in several phases between 1786 and 1897, although the principal facade was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1875. Situated close to the site of Reading Abbey, it is adjoined to the north by the Hospitium of St John and to the south by St Laurence's Church. [1] [2]

Contents

No longer the home of the town's administration, the Town Hall now houses the Reading Museum, a large concert hall, several smaller halls and conference rooms, a marriage Ceremony Room, and a public cafe. It is a listed building, with the block designed by Alfred Waterhouse being listed grade II*, whilst other parts of the building are listed grade II. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

History

The northwest corner of the town hall Northwest Corner of Reading Town Hall.jpg
The northwest corner of the town hall

The first recorded town or guild hall for Reading was known as the Yield Hall and is known to have been situated beside the River Kennet near the current Yield Hall Lane. However, by the middle of the 16th century this had proved too small, and the spoils of the dissolution of the monasteries were to provide both of the town's next two halls. Initially, in 1543, the town was granted part of the former friary that was later to become Greyfriars Church. [8]

However Greyfriars did not prove a successful town hall, and some twenty years later the council created a new town hall by inserting an upper floor into the former refectory of the Hospitium of St John, Reading Abbey's hospitium. The lower floor of this building continued to be used by Reading School, as it had been since 1486. For the next 200 years, the old monastic building continued to serve as Reading's town hall, but by the 18th century it was suffering from structural weakness. [9] [10]

Between 1785 and 1786, the old hall was dismantled and replaced on the same site by the first of several phases of building that were to make up today's Town Hall. This part of the building later became known as the Small Town Hall or the Victoria Hall, to distinguish it from the much later concert hall. The new hall was designed by Alderman Charles Poulton, a cabinet maker by trade, and is today largely hidden behind later extensions. The rear elevation and four sash windows with semi-circular tops can be seen from St Laurence's churchyard. [1] [4] [10]

In 1864, the 1780s building was redecorated in an Italianate style by William Henry Woodman, the borough surveyor. At the same time an organ, built by Father Willis and presented by the Reading Philharmonic Society, was installed. [1] [4] [11]

In 1875, an extension and new frontage was designed in Victorian Gothic style by the architect Alfred Waterhouse, involving partial demolition of the 1780s building but retaining the core hall. The new frontage was built with red and grey bricks, together with terracotta ornaments, all of which were products of the town's Colliers' brickworks. This extension added a council chamber and offices to the building, and the clock tower over its entrance (which is still a distinctive Reading landmark). [1] [3] [11] The tower contained a clock and carillon by Gillett & Bland, which played 14 different tunes on ten bells. [12]

Alfred Waterhouse was subsequently asked to design a further extension including a new concert hall, museum and library, but this was thought too expensive. Instead the council decided to hold a design competition, and this was won by Thomas Lainson with a design that continued Waterhouse's Gothic styling. Again an Italianate style was used for the interior, and Lainson designed a new Baroque style case for the organ, which was enhanced and relocated into the new concert hall. The concert hall opened in 1882, and was followed by the museum and library in 1883–4. [1] [5] [11]

Reading Town Hall, c. 1900 by Henry Taunt. The far end is Waterhouse's work, the nearer work is by Lainson Municipal Buildings, Reading, c. 1900.jpg
Reading Town Hall, c. 1900 by Henry Taunt. The far end is Waterhouse's work, the nearer work is by Lainson

A final extension opened in 1897 and contained an extension to the library and an art gallery. This was designed by William Roland Howell, and includes the frontage on Valpy Street. In 1943, during the Second World War, the southern end of the building suffered serious damage during an air raid. The scars of this attack remained visible until restoration work was carried out some 50 years later. [1] [11] [13] A gala ball and a cabaret were held in the town hall that year as part of the borough's fund raising efforts for Wings for Victory Week. [14]

By 1951 the administration of the town had overflowed the available offices in the Town Hall, and the council decided to build new civic offices. Finally in 1976, the civic offices moved out to the newly built Reading Civic Centre. In 1985 the library moved to a new central library building on King's Road, leaving only the museum and concert hall in use. After some debate, plans to demolish the Town Hall and replace it with a new cultural centre were dropped, and in 1986 refurbishment of the building started with the closure of the concert hall. The refurbishment was completed in 2000, bringing the concert hall back into use and providing several new galleries for the museum and art gallery. [1] [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reading Abbey</span> Ruined Abbey in Reading, Berkshire, England

Reading Abbey is a large, ruined abbey in the centre of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. It was founded by Henry I in 1121 "for the salvation of my soul, and the souls of King William, my father, and of King William, my brother, and Queen Maud, my wife, and all my ancestors and successors." In its heyday the abbey was one of Europe's largest royal monasteries. The traditions of the Abbey are continued today by the neighbouring St James's Church, which is partly built using stones of the Abbey ruins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reading School</span> Grade II listed grammar school in the United Kingdom

Reading School is a grammar school for boys with academy status in the English town of Reading, the county of Berkshire. It traces its history back to the school of Reading Abbey and is, thus, one of the oldest schools in England. There are no tuition fees for day pupils, and boarders only pay for food and lodging. Reading is one of the best state schools in the UK according to the GCSE and A-level tables and has consistently ranked in the top ten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greyfriars Church, Reading</span> Church in Berkshire, England

Greyfriars Church is an evangelical Anglican church, and former Franciscan friary, in the town centre of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. The church forms part of the Church of England's Diocese of Oxford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hexagon</span> Multi-purpose arts venue and theatre in Berkshire, United Kingdom

The Hexagon is a multi-purpose theatre and arts venue in Reading, Berkshire, England. Built in 1977 in the shape of an elongated hexagon, the theatre is operated by Reading Borough Council under the name "Reading Arts and Venues" along with South Street Arts Centre and Reading's concert hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reading Civic Centre</span> Municipal building in Reading, Berkshire, England

Reading Civic Centre was a civic centre in the town of Reading, itself in the English county of Berkshire. The centre dated from the mid-1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad Street, Reading</span> High street in Reading

Broad Street is a main pedestrianised thoroughfare and the primary high street in the English town of Reading. The street is situated in the town centre, running for approximately 0.25 miles (0.40 km), from west to east. The western end of the road lies at the crossroads with Oxford Road, West Street and St Mary's Butts. The eastern end continues as King Street after the junction with Minster Street and Butter Market.

Thomas Lainson, FRIBA was a British architect. He is best known for his work in the East Sussex coastal towns of Brighton and Hove, where several of his eclectic range of residential, commercial and religious buildings have been awarded listed status by English Heritage. Working alone or in partnership with two sons as Lainson & Sons, he designed buildings in a wide range of styles, from Neo-Byzantine to High Victorian Gothic; his work is described as having a "solid style, typical of the time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watlington House</span>

Watlington House is a 17th-century building, with a large walled garden, in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. The building is brick built and is reputed to be the oldest surviving secular building in the town. It is a listed building, being listed grade II*. The information on the Historic England website is https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1321898

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friar Street, Reading</span>

Friar Street is a thoroughfare in the English town of Reading. It runs parallel to Broad Street, connected by Union Street, Queen Victoria Street and Cross Street. At the western end is the Greyfriars Church and at the eastern end are the Town Hall and St Laurence's Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Victoria Street, Reading</span>

Queen Victoria Street is a pedestrianised thoroughfare in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. It connects Broad Street with Friar Street and Station Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Butts</span>

St Mary's Butts is a thoroughfare in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. On its west side is the Broad Street Mall. It is connected to the north with Broad Street, the pedestrianised primary high street of Reading. St Mary's Church and Butts are where the town of Reading originally grew from.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oracle (workhouse)</span> Workhouse in Berkshire, England

The Oracle was a workhouse that produced cloth in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The Oracle shopping centre, which now occupies a small part of the site, takes its name from the Oracle workhouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The George Hotel, Reading</span> Building in Berkshire, UK

The George Hotel is a hotel and former coaching inn in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It is situated in the eastern end of the town centre, on the corner of King Street and Minster Street, next to The Oracle shopping mall. It is a Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malmaison Hotel, Reading</span> Building in Berkshire, UK

The Malmaison Hotel Reading is a grade II listed hotel in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It is situated at the junction of Blagrave Street and Station Road, directly opposite the main entrance to Reading railway station. It was opened in 1844, shortly after the Great Western Railway opened its line from London, and is thought to be the oldest surviving purpose-built railway hotel in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Bridge, Reading</span> Bridge in Reading

High Bridge, sometimes known as Duke Street Bridge, is a bridge across the River Kennet in the town centre of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It links Duke Street, to its north, and London Street, to its south. High Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge across the Kennet, and is a grade II listed building. It comprises a single arch of vermiculated Portland stone, with a plain keystone of ashlar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Peter's Church, Caversham</span> Church in Reading, England

St Peter's Church is a Church of England parish church in Caversham, a suburb of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It is situated close to the River Thames in Caversham Heights.

Occupation at the site of Reading may date back to the Roman period, possibly as either a trading port on the River Thames, or as an intersection on the Roman road connecting London with Calleva Atrebatum near Silchester.

Samuel Watlington was a cloth merchant and leading citizen of the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. He held the office of Mayor of Reading in 1695 and 1711. In 1688, he and his wife Anne had Watlington House, reputed to be the oldest surviving secular building in Reading, built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hospitium of St John the Baptist</span> Hospitium

The Hospitium of St John the Baptist was the hospitium, or dormitory for pilgrims, of Reading Abbey, which today is a large, ruined abbey in the centre of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. The hospitium was founded in 1189, and at its maximum comprised a range of buildings that could accommodate 400 people. The main building has survived, and is grade II listed. Much of the remainder of the original hospitium was located where Reading Town Hall now stands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Wycombe Town Hall</span> Municipal building in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England

High Wycombe Town Hall is a public building located on Queen Victoria Road in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. The building, which is used as an events venue, is a Grade II listed building.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Reading Town Hall" (PDF). Reading Museum Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2006. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Town Hall". Reading Arts. Reading Borough Council. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  3. 1 2 Historic England. "Town Council Chamber and Offices with Clock Tower (1113400)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Historic England. "Small Town Hall (1321989)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  5. 1 2 Historic England. "Municipal Buildings – Concert Hall (1113401)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  6. ↑ Historic England. "Municipal Buildings – Art Gallery and Museum (1321990)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  7. ↑ holland, magicmilo. "Ceremonies". www.reading.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  8. ↑ Phillips, Daphne (1980). The Story of Reading. Countryside Books. p. 37. ISBN   0-905392-07-8.
  9. ↑ Phillips, Daphne (1980). The Story of Reading. Countryside Books. p. 42. ISBN   0-905392-07-8.
  10. 1 2 Phillips, Daphne (1980). The Story of Reading. Countryside Books. p. 88. ISBN   0-905392-07-8.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Phillips, Daphne (1980). The Story of Reading. Countryside Books. pp. 134–5. ISBN   0-905392-07-8.
  12. ↑ Pickford, Chris, ed. (1995). Turret Clocks: Lists of Clocks from Makers' Catalogues and Publicity Materials (2nd ed.). Wadhurst, E. Sussex: Antiquarian Horological Society. pp. 81–94.
  13. ↑ Phillips, Daphne (1980). The Story of Reading. Countryside Books. pp. 158–9. ISBN   0-905392-07-8.
  14. ↑ Bilton, David (2020). Reading at War 1939-45. Pen and Sword. ISBN   978-1473891012.
  15. ↑ Phillips, Daphne (1980). The Story of Reading. Countryside Books. pp. 168–9. ISBN   0-905392-07-8.
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.