Morley Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morley Town Hall |
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Morley Town Hall
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| Location | Queen Street, Morley |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Henry Holtom and George Arthur Fox |
| Architectural style(s) | Neoclassical style |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 12 March 1980 |
| Reference no. | 1135112 |
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Morley Town Hall is an important building in Morley, West Yorkshire, England. It's a place where local leaders meet to make decisions for the town. This historic building is so special that it's officially protected as a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered very important and needs to be kept safe for the future.
Contents
Building Morley's Town Hall
Why Was a New Town Hall Needed?
Before the current Town Hall, local leaders in Morley met in a small room on Queen Street. But in 1885, Morley became a 'borough'. This meant it was a more important town and needed a grander place for its government.
Designing the New Building
The first Mayor of Morley, Joseph Schofield, held a competition to find the best design for the new town hall. Many people entered, with 73 different designs submitted! The winning design came from Henry Holtom and George Arthur Fox, two architects from Dewsbury. They designed the building in a style called Neoclassical, which looks a bit like ancient Greek or Roman buildings.
Construction and Opening Day
The first stone of the new Town Hall was laid on 8 October 1892 by Tom Clough, who was the Mayor at the time. The building cost over £41,000 to build, which was a huge amount of money back then! It has tall columns, fancy carvings, and a clock tower that stands 160 feet high. A special clock with "Cambridge Chimes" was put in the tower in April 1895. It was named the "Sam Rhodes Clock" after a local councillor. The Town Hall officially opened on 16 October 1895. A famous person named H. H. Asquith, who was born in Morley and later became Prime Minister, opened the building.
Art and Royal Visits
Art Inside the Town Hall
Inside the Alexandra Hall, there are three beautiful artworks called bas-reliefs. These are sculptures that stick out slightly from a flat surface. They were made by an artist named Ellen Mary Rope in 1895. The artworks are named "Faith," "Hope," and "Charity."
A Visit from the Queen
On 28 October 1954, a very special guest visited Morley Town Hall: Queen Elizabeth II! She came with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. They met with the town's leaders and had coffee.
Challenges and Changes
The Fire of 1961
On 18 August 1961, a fire broke out at a nearby building called Albert Mills. As the mill burned, sparks and burning paper flew onto the Town Hall's dome. The dome, which was made of wood, caught fire and was destroyed within two hours. The clock also stopped working. Luckily, the dome was repaired and finished on 14 December 1962.
Morley Town Hall Today
For many years, Morley Town Hall was the main office for the local government of Morley. But in 1974, the government system changed, and Morley became part of the larger Leeds City Council. Even though it's no longer the main government office, Morley Town Hall is still very important. It's now the meeting place for the Morley Town Council, where local decisions are still made.
Town Hall as a Venue
Morley Town Hall is not just for meetings; it's also a popular place for events!
- In 1999, the famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band recorded one of their albums, "Brass From The Masters," right here in the Town Hall.
- The building has also been used for filming! In spring 2007, the popular ITV show Emmerdale used the Town Hall for both inside and outside scenes.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in West Yorkshire
- Listed buildings in Morley, West Yorkshire
