West Bromwich Town Hall

West Bromwich Town Hall is a municipal building in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England. It is a Grade II listed building.[1]

West Bromwich Town Hall
West Bromwich Town Hall
Location within the West Midlands
General information
Architectural styleItalian Gothic style
Classification
Listed Building – Grade II
Designated29 September 1987
Reference no.1077117
LocationWest Bromwich, West Midlands
CountryEngland
Coordinates52°31′14.16″N 1°59′53.15″W
Construction started1874
Completed1875
Design and construction
Architecture firmAlexander & Henman
Main contractorTrow & Sons of Wednesbury

History

The town hall was commissioned at the instigation of the West Bromwich Town Improvement Commissioners, chaired by Reuben Farley.[2][3] The site selected, known as the Lodge Estate, located on West Bromwich Heath, was purchased from the descendants of William Izon, a local iron-founder.[4] The building, which was designed by Alexander & Henman of Stockton-on-Tees in the Italian Gothic style, was built in brick and stone by Trow & Sons of Wednesbury between 1874 and 1875.[4] The existing reading room was converted into an enlarged council chamber in 1924 and the building was extended to create a new reading room at that time.[5]

The American singer and pianist, Jerry Lee Lewis, performed in the town hall in 1964[6] and, more recently, the People's Orchestra have given regular performances.[7]

The town hall was the headquarters of the county borough of West Bromwich but ceased to be the local seat of government when Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council was formed in 1974.[8]

Description

The arches at the entrance of the building are decorated with carved heads representing the months of the year, while the corridor encircling the main hall is tiled with paving by Maw & Company of Coalbrookdale.[2] The ceilings, the iron work, the walls and pillars have been decorated from designs by the architects and the "harmonious blending of colours, and the magnificent stencil work costing many days of artistic and patient labour, cannot be too highly praised and words can hardly express the charming effect they have produced."[9] The main tower is 130 feet (40 m) high.[2] The fine carvings are by the local sculptor, John Roddis, and depict the labours of the 12 months of the year.[10][11]

Grand Organ

The Grand Organ in the main hall was a gift from Alexander Brogden, MP for Wednesbury, in 1878. It was built by Forster and Andrews of Hull following the International Exhibition of 1862 and is one of twelve organs built for town halls up and down the country by the firm. In May 1997 the organ was awarded a certificate by the British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) as it was considered to be of historic importance for its musical and technical qualities. It was recorded as historic in the National Pipe Organ Register at Cambridge University. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[12]

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References
  1. Historic England. "Town Hall, Sandwell (1077117)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. "West Bromwich Town Hall". West Bromwich History. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  3. "Reuben Farley". West Bromwich History. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  4. Baggs, A P; Baugh, G C; Johnston, D A (1976). "'West Bromwich: Other estates', in A History of the County of Stafford: Volume 17, Offlow Hundred (Part)". London: British History Online. pp. 20–27. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  5. "West Bromwich Town Hall Complex Planning and Development Brief". Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. 1 November 2005. p. 32. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  6. "Are you one of the audience members pictured with Jerry Lee Lewis at West Bromwich Town Hall in 1964?". Birmingham Mail. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  7. "War to break out at West Bromwich Town Hall with The People's Orchestra". Birmingham Live. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  8. "Local Government Act 1972". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  9. West Bromwich Weekly News, August 1875
  10. "West Bromwich Town Hall and the birth of the town's coat of arms". Business Live. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  11. Noszlopy, George Thomas; Waterhouse, Fiona (2005). Public Sculpture of Staffordshire and the Black Country. Liverpool University Press. p. 184. ISBN 978-0853239895.
  12. "NPOR N04938". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
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