Page 9 - Real Rochdale Issue 14 Summer 2022

Rochdale’s ‘gothic masterpiece’ Town Hall is being restored to its full glory

Often described as a ‘neo-gothic masterpiece’, the Small Exchange with its stone angel corbels and dirty work’ has already taken place, here – beautiful building that was made – not just for
Rochdale’s Grade-I listed town hall is considered – figures that jut out to support the structure including the removal of a lower ceiling. the people of Rochdale, but actually for people
to be one of the finest municipal buildings in – and decorative floral frieze. From here, it is across the country if not the world,” she says.
the country. Designed by William Crossland, on to the Mayor’s Reception, where careful Then it’s up to the Great Hall, where York
it opened in 1871 as a symbol of the town’s and painstaking work is taking place to restore Glaziers Trust is restoring the stunning stained “Its architecture and craftsmanship inside takes
industrial might – its ornate stylings are rivalled ornate ceiling panels to their original splendour. glass windows – depicting an unbroken line its symbolism and history from motifs across the
only by the Palace of Westminster, according to of rule from William the Conqueror to Queen world, so our aim is that it’s truly representative
Historic England. Featuring illustrations of swallows, the panels Victoria – to their original brilliance. The trust of everybody. It’s really important because it
are yellowed with age, with each one taking has a three-strong team based in Rochdale allows Rochdale to be put on the map as a place
While its imposing, quasi-medieval magnificence around five hours to clean up and remove the tackling ‘serious structural problems’ with the of historic interest.”
marks it out as one of the most impressive historic layers of varnish before the final finish windows, before any cleaning-up can take place.
buildings in the north, the ravages of time have is applied. Swallows are just one of the creatures Caroline recalls how the town hall was once
inevitably taken their toll. Problems blighting the depicted in some way at the town hall, with the A tricky job, but Nick Teed, of the trust, says the likened to an ‘oriental temple of intoxicating
building over recent years include a crumbling sharp-eyed sure to also spot the squirrels, eagles project is ‘now well on the way’. Work on the nine elegance’. “I suppose what we are trying to do
drainage system and a leaking roof, while a digital and even lions among the plethora of species. ‘enormous windows’ of the Grand Staircase has is make the building intoxicatingly elegant once
scan by Salford University revealed a treasure been completed while the Great Hall is not too more,” she adds.
trove of forgotten rooms and obscured features. Also in-situ are four corbels representing four far behind.
local dignitaries from the time of the hall’s She believes the revitalised town hall will
Now a £16m restoration of the Victorian gem opening – including the town mayor and the “It’s a fantastic project,” says Nick. “It’s great to make Rochdale a real destination, together
– part funded by the National Lottery Heritage designer, Crossland, himself. Next door is the work on a building like this which is absolutely with attractions such as Touchstones Heritage
Fund – is well under way. Around two thirds of Mayor’s Parlour with its vivid stained-glass lavish with decorative and architectural detail.” Library, Fireground and the Rochdale Pioneers
the Town Hall is being revamped under the first windows depicting the seasons through the 12 Museum.
two phases of the project, with a third possibly in months of the year. He also enjoys working alongside the
the pipeline. other tradespeople and craftsmen who are She adds: “When we reopen it will tell the story,
As in the reception room, meticulous work will rejuvenating the town hall. “It’s a real privilege to not just of the town hall, but as a lens into the
Scheduled to reopen in 2023, the revamp will be needed to return the decorative walls – work on a building like this,” he adds. last 150 years of Rochdale’s history.”
restore many period features within the building resplendent with songbirds – to their original
and create a new permanent exhibition as well lustre. A small area has already been completed, Those with a head for heights can then climb Mark Taylor, senior site manager for HH Smith, is
as boasting a heritage skills studio where local offering a tantalising glimpse of how the finished the scaffolding to the upper level of the Great similarly enthusiastic. “It’s an amazing project to
people can train in sought-after conservation version will look. Hall, where its cavernous scale can be truly be involved with,” he says.
skills. appreciated. Progress here is in its early stages
Electrics have been stripped out in readiness for with careful work needed to ascertain how best “The more we work within the building and work
Karen Heverin, of Historic England, says the the volunteers who will soon begin cleaning and to clean up the delicate roof tiles, before they around it, the more hidden features we see. It’s
heritage body is ‘incredibly supportive’ of the timber panelling under supervision. They will can be properly restored. just an amazing space.” A stonemason by trade,
restoration programme. She said: “It’s brilliant also play a part in transforming the old council he describes the restoration as ‘the pinnacle’ in
to see a project that’s bringing this fabulous chamber, where a glazed partition has been A similar approach also needs to be taken before his eyes.
building back into community use. removed, to be ‘repurposed’ further down the the fine detail can be brought out on the hugely
line. impressive angel carvings, fittingly found in the “I would love to try and rebuild something like
“It’s an amazing building; it’s got such incredible town hall firmament. For Caroline Storr, heritage this but nowadays we just don’t build them like
craftsmanship and the work you can see is This room celebrates the textile industry from engagement manager at Rochdale Council, the this; it’s one on its own really,” he adds. “It’s a
really suited to the brilliant architecture and the cotton fields of Egypt to the Victorian mills project represents a ‘fantastic opportunity to pleasure to drive to work to this job. It’s got
decorative detail we have got in this building.” of Rochdale – with the decor featuring names showcase the very best’ of the town. literally everything this project when you think
such as James Hargreaves, Samuel Crompton about it.”
Approaching the Mayor’s entrance, visitors and Lewis Paul. From here it’s through to the “I think the town hall has been piercing the
will notice work to install a lift shaft inside the Welcome Gallery, which is earmarked to become skyline of Rochdale for the last 150 years and Nick Statham
hall’s landmark clock tower. You then arrive in a new exhibition space. A ‘lot of stripping out now it’s our opportunity to let people into this Local Democracy Reporter

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