Newport Guildhall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Newport Guildhall
Newport Guildhall
Location	Newport, Shropshire
Built	1400
Architectural style(s)	Medieval style
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated	28 April 1952
Reference no.	1177807
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The Newport Guildhall is a big building made mostly of wood in Newport, Shropshire, England. It's a very old and important building. Because of its history, it is officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a special building that needs to be protected.

What is the History of Newport Guildhall?

The Newport Guildhall you see today replaced an even older building. That first building was mentioned in a document from 1252.

When Was the Guildhall Built?

The southern part of the current building was built around the year 1400. It started as one large room. This room might have been a meeting place for a group called the Guild of Newport. A guild was like a club or association for people who did the same job or had similar interests.

The building was made in a typical medieval style. This means it had wooden beams that you could see from the outside. The spaces between the timbers were filled with bricks, which were then painted white. Later, another floor was added inside this original hall. Scientists used a method called dendrochronology to study the wood in the roof. They found that the current roof was added in 1486.

How Did the Guildhall Grow?

The northern part of the building was added later, in the late 1500s. It was built in a similar style to the older southern part. Inside, some of the wooden beams on the ground floor were decorated. They had patterns like zigzags (chevrons), antlers, and leaves. There were also pomegranates, which are a type of fruit. Pomegranates were often linked to Catherine of Aragon, a famous queen.

In the early 1800s, the two parts of the building were joined together on the outside. They were given one continuous roof. There's a wooden beam on the front of the building that says "Wm Gregari" and the year 1615. This beam wasn't part of the original building. It was probably taken from another local building, like a pub. It was added in the late 1800s to make the Guildhall look even older and more historic.

Who Owns and Cares for the Guildhall Today?

On June 13, 1991, a group called the Boughey Trust bought the building. This trust was set up by Lady Boughey to remember her husband, Sir Thomas Fletcher Fenton Boughey.

The Boughey Trust lets the Newport Town Council use the Guildhall for free. The Town Council then worked with English Heritage to fix up the building. English Heritage helps protect historic places in England. The Guildhall was officially opened again on March 25, 1995. A special guest, Algernon Heber-Percy, helped with the opening.

In 2019, more improvements were made. They put in a new boiler, new carpets, fresh paint, and better lighting.

What is the Guildhall Used For Now?

Today, the Newport Guildhall is a busy place. The ground floor of the southern part is an information center for the town council. You can go there to get information about Newport. The ground floor of the northern part is a tea room, where people can relax and have a drink.

The Town Council usually holds its meetings in the council chamber. This room is on the first floor of the building. The council chamber is also used for special events like weddings and other town ceremonies.