Cleckheaton Town Hall photographed on 22 June 2016.
The need to build a town hall was recognised in 1885 but it was not until 1887 that a committee was formed and a site it the town centre purchased for £3,550.
Construction work started and the foundation stone was laid by William Anderton, Esq JP on the 21st June 1890. The building was officially opened by Mr Joseph Law Chairman of the Town Hall Committee on 10th February 1892.
The opening day was declared a half day holiday and the celebrations included processions, a football match, a lavish ball and a magic lantern show in the town's market place.
The building contained offices for the local authority, a council chamber and a public hall. The architects were Messrs Mawson and Hudson of Bradford, the final cost including the site, furnishings and electric lighting was £13,900.
The Town Hall clock was supplied by William Potts & Sons, Leeds and the chimes provided by Taylor Brothers of Loughborough. The clock was presented to the town by Messrs J Walter and Fred Wadsworth as a memorial to their father Elymas Wadsworth, the first chairman of the Town Hall Committee who died 9 months before the official opening.
An article in the Spenborough Guardian dated 1892 said of the opening:-
“Amid signs of public rejoicing such as are rarely witnessed in the life of any community, the new Town Hall at Cleckheaton was formally opened and dedicated to public use.” “The architectural style of the new building is described as that of the Queen Anne period, freely treated” “Mr Law was requested to open the building and the same time was presented with a handsome golden key… Mr Law acknowledge the gift and having unlocked the gate, led the way into the building; the Royal Standard being meanwhile run up on a flag staff in front. The event was further signalised by the playing of the National Anthem by the Volunteer Band.” “Within the fine concert hall The Philharmonic Society gave the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah.” “Later in the week the children’s ball on Friday evening was one of the most successful of the week’s series of festivities. The juvenile dancers varied in age and proportion… there were (children of an older growth) too, who laughed as they had not laughed in many a long day”
The need to build a town hall was recognised in 1885 but it was not until 1887 that a committee was formed and a site it the town centre purchased for £3,550.
Construction work started and the foundation stone was laid by William Anderton, Esq JP on the 21st June 1890. The building was officially opened by Mr Joseph Law Chairman of the Town Hall Committee on 10th February 1892.
The opening day was declared a half day holiday and the celebrations included processions, a football match, a lavish ball and a magic lantern show in the town's market place.
The building contained offices for the local authority, a council chamber and a public hall. The architects were Messrs Mawson and Hudson of Bradford, the final cost including the site, furnishings and electric lighting was £13,900.
The Town Hall clock was supplied by William Potts & Sons, Leeds and the chimes provided by Taylor Brothers of Loughborough. The clock was presented to the town by Messrs J Walter and Fred Wadsworth as a memorial to their father Elymas Wadsworth, the first chairman of the Town Hall Committee who died 9 months before the official opening.
An article in the Spenborough Guardian dated 1892 said of the opening:-
“Amid signs of public rejoicing such as are rarely witnessed in the life of any community, the new Town Hall at Cleckheaton was formally opened and dedicated to public use.” “The architectural style of the new building is described as that of the Queen Anne period, freely treated” “Mr Law was requested to open the building and the same time was presented with a handsome golden key… Mr Law acknowledge the gift and having unlocked the gate, led the way into the building; the Royal Standard being meanwhile run up on a flag staff in front. The event was further signalised by the playing of the National Anthem by the Volunteer Band.” “Within the fine concert hall The Philharmonic Society gave the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah.” “Later in the week the children’s ball on Friday evening was one of the most successful of the week’s series of festivities. The juvenile dancers varied in age and proportion… there were (children of an older growth) too, who laughed as they had not laughed in many a long day”
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