Further news of the refurbishment of Bridport Town Hall
Touching History
While working on the main Council Chamber in the Town Hall, joiners have discovered a carved wooden panel which has been hidden under the floorboards since 1787, the year the Town Hall building was completed.
The panel shows the initials W.L & I.C with the Latin word ‘Fecit’ which means ‘made’, followed by the date 1787. It is the latest of a number of historical discoveries made during the conservation project, which is repairing and restoring the building for the future.
Activities Coordinator, Crystal Johnson said, “it is very exciting to discover something so personal that has been hidden since the building of the Town Hall. We have looked through the records and haven’t been able to identify who W.L or I.C were, so can only assume that they were two of the original joiners who hid this carving as they worked on the building. There are other examples of local tradesmen leaving their mark on the building and numerous signatures dating back to the 1800s can be clearly seen in sections of the roof space and around the cupola. If anyone can offer us any information on who these particular individuals might have been we would love to hear from them”.
Up-lifting artwork
As part of the Bridport Town Hall Heritage and Conservation project, local artist Darrell Wakelam has been working with local disability groups and young parents to create a permanent artwork for the interior of the new lift at Bridport Town Hall. Involving over 50 participants, the workshops have used the history and heritage of the Town Hall as inspiration for cardboard and rope montages. The first workshops were held at Mountjoy School, where pupils created fantastic ships like those built at West Bay in the past. Further workshops have also been held at the Fisherman’s Arms day centre, with young parents groups in the town and in partnership with Artz+, who provide holiday activities for children with disabilities and their siblings. Helen Day, Artz+ Co-ordinator said “The children really enjoyed creating some fabulous fossils art and were pleased to contribute to the artwork planned for the Town Hall”.
All work produced during the workshop will be assembled into a single piece and photographed. The high quality photographs will then be reproduced to cover the interior walls of the new lift.
The workshops are part of a larger programme of activities to create permanent artworks in the restored Town Hall. Activities Coordinator Crystal Johnson said, “the project is a wonderful opportunity for the local community to make a lasting mark on their Town Hall. A key element of the restoration is the installation of a lift in the building, which will allow everyone access to the first floor. We are really excited that so many different community groups are engaged with the project which will not only contribute to the Town Hall’s local distinctiveness but also offer visitors to the building an insight into its history and heritage.”
For more information on the Town Hall project visit: www.bridporttownhall.org
