Dulverton Town Hall
Dulverton Town Hall
LocationFore Street, Dulverton
Coordinates51°02′24″N 3°33′02″W / 51.0401°N 3.5505°W / 51.0401; -3.5505
Built1866
Architectural style(s)Neoclassical style
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameMarket Hall
Designated4 August 1986
Reference no.1247925
Dulverton Town Hall is located in Somerset
Dulverton Town Hall
Shown in Somerset

Dulverton Town Hall is a municipal building in Fore Street in Dulverton, Somerset, England. The building, which is the meeting place of Dulverton Town Council, is a Grade II listed building.[1]

History

The first municipal building on the site was a market hall which was completed in 1760.[2][3][4] It was replaced by the current structure, which was designed in the neoclassical style, built in rubble masonry and was completed in around 1866. The design involved a symmetrical main frontage with seven bays facing onto Fore Street: it was originally arcaded on the ground floor, so that markets could be held, with an assembly hall on the first floor.[1] The first floor was fenestrated by sash windows.[1] After market traders moved to other towns, use of the market hall on the ground floor declined, and it was converted for retail use in the 1870s.[5] The openings in the outer and central bays were infilled with doorways, while the openings in the other bays were infilled with round headed windows with radiating glazing bars.[1] In the late 19th century, petty session hearings took place in the building.[6]

A porch and an external double staircase was added to a design by Sir Albert Richardson in 1927.[3] The staircase was straight rather than curved, was decorated by wrought iron railings and was supported by a stone arch: it led to a first-floor porch with wrought iron bars supporting a wrought iron frieze with triglyphs and a flat canopy.[1] The elaborate porch has been described by one architectural historian as "one of Richardson's best works".[7] The upper hall was fitted out with a proscenium arch designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens at this time.[5]

During the Second World War, the building was used a school to teach children evacuated from the major centres of population.[8] The upper hall was also used as a cinema for United States Air Force personnel based at Knightshayes Court and other USAF bases in the local area.[5][9] The lower ground floor was used as an antiques centre in the late 20th century,[10] and then became a thrift shop, operated by the town hall management committee, with the proceeds being applied to the upkeep of the building.[11] The lower ground floor also became the meeting place of Dulverton Town Council.[12] Meanwhile, the upper hall reverted to use as a cinema, trading as Dulverton Films, in 2010.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Historic England. "Market Hall (1247925)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  2. ↑ Pevsner, Nikolaus (2001). South and West Somerset (Buildings of England Series). Yale University Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-0300096446.
  3. 1 2 Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press. pp. 87–88. ISBN 1-874336-26-1.
  4. ↑ "Dulverton Conservation Area: Appraisal Document" (PDF). Exmoor National Park. 2019. p. 28. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "History". Dulverton Town Hall. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  6. ↑ Kelly's Directory of Somersetshire with the City of Bristol. 1883. p. 196.
  7. ↑ Service, Alastair (1975). Edwardian Architecture and Its Origins. Architectural Press. ISBN 978-0851393629. Some of the village halls, and Dulverton Town Hall, may ultimately be accounted Richardson's best work
  8. ↑ "Town Hall or Market House, Fore Street, Dulverton (Building)". The Historic Environment Record for Exmoor National Park. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  9. ↑ "Knightshayes Court". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  10. ↑ "No. 52940". The London Gazette. 3 June 1992. p. 9501.
  11. ↑ "Dulerton Thrift Shop raises £18,606 for the town hall". Somerset County Gazette. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  12. ↑ "Town Council". Dulverton Town Council. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
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