The Guildhall, Oswestry
The home of Oswestry Town Council
OUR MISSIONSTATEMENT
GUILDHALL ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE FOR HIRE
The Guildhall
This is the message that Oswestry Town Council is delighted to extend to visitors to the refurbished, Grade II listed building. Due to the vision and commitment of the Council, and the financial support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Guildhall at the start of the new Millennium is now an important community facility for Oswestry and the surrounding areas. The Guildhall is also now the proud home of the Attfield Theatre and Oswestry Town Council.
The need for significant repairs to the Guildhall surfaced as far back as 1990. A structural inspection highlighted defects in many areas and a priority need for re-roofing. Dry rot was evident and significant finance was immediately directed at identifying the source of the problem and prevention. The Council also took the controversial step to terminate the lease in respect of the Magistrates Courts and Registrar accommodation. This was on the basis of health and safety requirements and a policy decision to eventually return the Council back to its original home.
The establishment of the National Lottery and one of the original five good causes, the Heritage Lottery Fund, provided the opportunity to put together a comprehensive scheme to benefit a building that is a feature and landmark of the town that had suffered by poor tenant repairs, loss of status and unsuited usage. It was clear that without major external funding, and the return of the Council, then the future of the Guildhall was threatened.
The Council painstakingly studied the lottery criteria and submitted a bid in December 1995. That bid included for refurbishment, resolving dry rot problems, providing external disabled access and internal disabled access by installing a four level lift, creation of a Civic Centre with rooms for hire and central accommodation for the Town Council.
A key part of the bid was the town archives dating back to 1324 and located in the Guildhall basement. The Guildhall had been appointed a place of deposit under the Public Records Act 1958 and since this recognition in 1989, tremendous onus had been placed upon maintenance and environmental conditions. The archives hold considerable local and countywide importance. The bid therefore placed emphasis on improving the search facilities for local records, together with security improvements and accessibility.
Two other elements were included in this submission. These reflected on the need to improve access for the Attfield Theatre in respect of elderly and disabled persons and the siting of the Oswestry Parish Maps in the foyer area. The maps created by the Lorne Street Day Care Centre Group involved a series of decorated panels using a variety of media such as silk painting, tapestry, ceramics and photography. They celebrate the history, topography and people of the Oswestry area.
The Council waited with anticipation as the application was processed and assessments undertaken. An offer of £225,300 out of a total project cost of £300,400 was received and accepted in September 1996. English Heritage were appointed Project Monitors and a series of meetings began in January 1997. The following months brought confusion, disappointments and frustration as the goal posts moved, the specification was challenged by English Heritage and dry rot problems increased. The Council became caught up between the English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund, as monitoring and management became confused.
Due to the increasing dry rot problems a supplementary bid was launched and in September 1998 the Heritage Lottery Fund increased the grant offer to £326,300 out of a total project cost of £435,066. The balance to be met by Oswestry Town Council.
The County Court took a decision to leave the building during the refurbishment and in December 1998 the main contractor, Pavaways moved in. The whole building was scaffolded and enclosed in an envelope that was visible on the skyline from many points within the town.
The Council proudly returned to the building in September 1999. Since that time local groups and organisations have visited for a tour and talk package and commercial and community interest in hiring accommodation has been developed. Anyone interested should contact Oswestry Town Council.
The Council were extremely proud to invite the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire Algernon Heber-Percy J.P. to formally open the Guildhall on 18th April, 2000. This ceremony celebrated the many years of planning to secure the long term future of Oswestry Guildhall and also mark its exciting new future as a true community facility for Oswestry at the outset of a new millennium.