NEWBURY TOWN HALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR HERTIAGE OPEN DAY FESTIVAL!

Newbury Town Hall is throwing open its doors to the public on Saturday 9 September as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days Festival.

The public are invited to view the Council Chamber, The Civic Staircase, The Town Hall portraits, the Council’s maces and other civic regalia.  This includes the Town Hall Honours Boards, which list the Mayors of Newbury, going back to 1596 and features many well-known local families.  Although meetings in the Town Hall are open to the public, and there are often coffee mornings and other community events in the Chamber, it appears there are still a lot of Newbury people who have not visited the Chamber.

The event is FREE, including refreshments, and everyone is welcome.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Mayor of Newbury, Cllr Nigel Foot said: “We are lucky to have such a historic building in Newbury and this is an opportunity to visit the Town Hall and learn about 400 years of history at the same time. Find out what the maces are used for, and why Newbury has two of them. Discover why Newbury has a teazel on its flag and the name of the Mayor’s Bear.”

The Town Hall portraits are on the civic staircase, which leads to the Council Chamber are most impressive and include the portrait of “Jack of Newbury” dated 1550, as well as King

George III and Queen Charlotte.  “The Newbury Coat” is also on display, featuring a very famous story from Newbury’s industrial past.                                           

In the Council Chamber, as well as the Honours Boards, the Mayor’s Throne and the Council’s maces will be on display. The maces date from 1707 (Queen Anne) and 1758 (King George II).

The Victorian Town Hall (facing the Market Place) was built from 1876 to 1878 and The Town Hall clock and clock tower were added 3 years later, in 1881. The Municipal Offices (facing Mansion House Street) were built from 1909-10.

Contact:

Cllr Nigel Foot, Mayor of Newbury mayor@newbury.gov.uk 07970 790773