West Bromwich Town Hall

History

The town hall was commissioned at the instigation of the West Bromwich Town Improvement Commissioners, chaired by Reuben Farley. The site selected, known as the Lodge Estate, located on West Bromwich Heath, was purchased from the descendants of William Izon, a local iron-founder. The building, which was designed by Alexander & Henman of Stockton-on-Tees in the Italian Gothic style, was built in brick and stone by Trow & Sons of Wednesbury between 1874 and 1875.

The American singer and pianist, Jerry Lee Lewis, performed in the town hall in 1964 and, more recently, the People's Orchestra have given regular performances.

The town hall was the headquarters of the county borough of West Bromwich and initially remained the local seat of government after Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council was formed in 1974. However, the council moved to a modern facility, known as Sandwell Council House, in Freeth Street in Oldbury in 1989.

Description

The arches at the entrance of the building are decorated with carved heads representing the months of the year, while the corridor encircling the main hall is tiled with paving by Maw & Company of Coalbrookdale. The main tower is 130 ft high.

Grand Organ

The Grand Organ in the main hall was a gift from Alexander Brogden, MP for Wednesbury, in 1878. It was built by Forster and Andrews of Hull following the International Exhibition of 1862 and is one of twelve organs built for town halls up and down the country by the firm. In May 1997 the organ was awarded a certificate by the British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) as it was considered to be of historic importance for its musical and technical qualities. It was recorded as historic in the National Pipe Organ Register at Cambridge University. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

References

References

1. {{NHLE
2. "West Bromwich Town Hall". West Bromwich History.
3. "Reuben Farley". West Bromwich History.
4. (1976). "'West Bromwich: Other estates', in A History of the County of Stafford: Volume 17, Offlow Hundred (Part)". British History Online.
5. (1 November 2005). "West Bromwich Town Hall Complex Planning and Development Brief". Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
6. (22 September 2011). "Are you one of the audience members pictured with Jerry Lee Lewis at West Bromwich Town Hall in 1964?". Birmingham Mail.
7. (17 September 2013). "War to break out at West Bromwich Town Hall with The People's Orchestra". Birmingham Live.
8. "Local Government Act 1972". Legislation.gov.uk.
9. {{London Gazette. (13 July 1984)
10. "Honest Buildings".
11. The ceilings, the iron work, the walls and pillars have been decorated from designs by the architects and the "harmonious blending of colours, and the magnificent stencil work costing many days of artistic and patient labour, cannot be too highly praised and words can hardly express the charming effect they have produced."''West Bromwich Weekly News'', August 1875
12. (2005). "Public Sculpture of Staffordshire and the Black Country". Liverpool University Press.
13. {{National Pipe Organ Register. N04938