Campaign to turn back time to restore neglected town hall

Jan 15 2008 By The Journal

Historic buildings are often precious to the communities they serve and time is telling on one of Teesside’s. Joanne Welford reports on a campaign to restore Thornaby Town Hall to community use.

THE 70ft tall town hall clock tower that stands over the Teesside town of Thornaby has chimed out the hours for more than a century. And 115 years of history have seen it stand proud through the boom years of Teesside’s industrial and shipbuilding might, the First and the Second World Wars and all the changes 21st century life has wrought on the landscape. The tower is an integral part of the town hall building that has been home to Thornaby’s decision makers since the first ever council meeting was held in its chambers in November 1892.

Back then the town’s motto was ‘Always Advancing’.

It still is, and they still are, especially when it comes to the campaign to restore the building to its former glory for the use of the community.

Stockton Council, owners of Thornaby Town Hall, recently announced the building is being marketed in a bid to attract investors.

It is investing £300,000 on repairs to the roof, but says its doesn’t have the funds for the much needed full refurbishment – and the solution could involve selling or leasing all or part of the building.

Campaigners in Thornaby, though, have different ideas.

They want to see the rapidly deteriorating Town Hall brought back into community use, perhaps housing a heritage museum, a register office, an education centre and arts centre, souvenir shop and restaurant or café.

The building means such a lot to local people, says Eileen Craggs, a Thornaby councillor who chairs the town’s Heritage Group, and it should be saved and restored.

“The Town Hall was built with Thornaby money and it is Thornaby heritage, we should have it for public use,” said Coun Craggs.

“Thornaby used to be a very rich borough. When it started out there were 6,000 voters and we had 11 of the major employers in the area here.

“The Heritage Group is still going to seek funding for the building, Thornaby’s motto is ‘Always Advancing’ and that’s what we’ll do.

“It could be part of the regeneration of the area and developed – if not it will be sold, which would be an absolute disgrace. The passion of people in Thornaby for it is great.”

Thornaby Town Council continues to meet in the building, even though it has fallen into a state of disrepair, says Coun Craggs.

The group has put 2,000 questionnaires out to local people seeking their views and is exploring ways of trying to attract funding for the restoration of the building, which stands on the town’s Mandale Road.

Durham University has also offered to carry out the business plan for the funding.

There is no doubt the Town Hall is viewed with affection by the people of the town.

The foundation stone for the landmark building was laid in 1890 by John Steel, chairman of the local board.

It was designed by James Garry of West Hartlepool and built in brick and stone in a ‘free renaissance’ style, according to the history books.

The 70ft high clock tower stands on the corner of Railway Terrace. The clock was set in motion in 1892.

The building has always been home to Thornaby’s council and boasts what must once have been an impressive council chamber inside its walls – last used around 20 years ago.

It is also Grade II-listed and, estimates the Heritage Group, would need around £3m spent on repairs and refurbishment.

They want to see the council chambers restored and the building put back into community use – perhaps even incorporating a museum to mark Thornaby’s proud aviation history.

“The response from the Thornaby community has been fantastic,” added Coun Craggs. “It is such a shame to see a building like that neglected.”

For its part, Stockton Council says it has received a number of proposals for the Town Hall, and part of its development brief includes commemorating the heritage and history of the town.

The council says the brief highlighted the potential for funding from European or other sources and it would be happy to work with any partner who can put forward proposals to access such funding.

What is certain is that the grand old building is in need of a bit of TLC.

But only time will tell how Thornaby Town Hall will, like the town motto, ‘always advance’.