Henry Ward ARIBA
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The Observer Printworks Building at 53 Cambridge Road is a Hastings landmark designed by the architect Henry Ward ARIBA
After being empty and unused for 34 years a future for this building with its Hathernware frontage seems to be more secure. As well as the printworks are shown a range of the buildings that Ward designed during his life working in Hastings. The last building he designed before his death was the Debenhams shop formerly Plummer Roddis completed in 1928. Below an obituary. A GREAT ARCHITECT DEATH OF MR.HENRY WARD MONUMENTS TO A DISTINGUISHED CAREER We deeply regret to record the death at the climax of a long and distinguished career, of Mr Henry Ward, A.R.I.B.A., the well-known architect. After a long illness Mr Ward died yesterday (Friday) morning, at the age of 73, at his residence, 22 Magdalen-terrace, Bohemia Road, St.Leonards. Last year Mr Ward underwent an operation, and appeared to recover his health. He was again taken ill on July 5th this year, and after lying in a slowly weakening condition ever since, he passed away yesterday. Many monuments to the ability and artistic skill of the late Mr. Ward remain to keep alive the memory of a man who was widely known and respected throughout the town and indeed, in professional circles throughout the country. Mr Ward began to study art and architecture at the early age of 15 in the office of a well-known London architect. Thence he pursued his studies in Paris for some time and eventually returned to London. Never enjoying really robust health, he first came to Hastings for that reason, about 50 years ago. It was while he was at Hastings on holiday that Mr Ward began his association with Mr Vernon, a celebrated local architect, whom he was eventually to succeed. He entered Mr Vernon's office to help him for a fortnight, and remained there as a valued assistant. After a very short time he achieved a triumph which established his reputation in the town. He entered the winning design in the competition for the Hastings Municipal Buildings, which were constructed to his plans in 1881. The site of this building is a particularly awkward shape to deal with, and there can be no doubt but that the winning design wasa clever piece of planning. It brought the youthful architect recognition in his election as an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects - an honour conferred in those days only after some practical success. After that Mr Ward's success was assured, and as has been said, he succeeded Mr Vernon as principal of the business, which he has carried on for the last 40 years at 8, Bank Buildings. In the years that followed he designed many large buildings and churches, in addition to innumerable residences throughout the south of England, where his reputation was widespread. Among some of the larger buildings in this locality designed by him are the Robertson-street Congregational Church, and the village churches associated with it; the "Observer" building in Cambridge-road; a new front and an additional storey to the Victoria Hotel, St. Leonards: the new Plummer Roddis building in Robertson-street; St. Stephens Church in Bexhill; the Municipal Buildings, Bexhill; and the Congregational Churches in Bexhill and Eastbourne. He has been responsible for the design of many fine buildings at Guildford and Aldershot. A particularly artistic piece of work was the the design of an establishment for Messrs. Blundell Bros., at Luton. Mr Ward has designed all the shops at various southern towns for Messrs. Plummer Roddis Ltd., with the sole exception of their premises at Bournemouth. The late Mr Ward's skill and artistic ability is too widely known and recognised to need further praise in these columns. The new Plummer roddis building was the climax of his career. It was one of the finest designs that ever came from his board, and he had spent infinite pains and time in its production. He lived to end his task in that connection, finishing his own part of the work on July 4th. Next day he was taken ill. He had lived to see practically the completion of one of the dreams of his latter years. Essentially a modest and retiring man, he lived a simple and unassuming life though his genial personality made him a most popular man among a host of friends. He took no part in public or political life, being entirely wrapped up in his home and his professional work. For many years he was one of the directors of the Hastings Building Society and he represented his profession at the Rotary Club. He leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Mr Henry D Ward, who is almost as well known as his father was, has been associated with him professionally for several years, and will continue the business at Bank Buildings. |
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The following information is from sussexparishchurches.org/architectsandartistswxyz/
and is reproduced below.
H Ward H Ward and Son
Henry Ward (1854-1927) was a Londoner who studied in Paris. For the sake of his health, he moved to Hastings, where he designed the Town Hall in 1880 and was by 1881 Borough Surveyor (BN 41 p343). In private practice, he worked with Walter Liberty Vernon (1846-1914) on mainly public and commercial buildings in Bexhill, Hastings and Eastbourne, probably until Vernon emigrated to Australia at some point in the 1880s. After this Ward appears to have worked on his own, though the change in title of the practice to Henry Ward and Son implies that at least one of his two sons, Henry Dorrington Ward (1883-1968) or Frank Dorrington Ward (1885-1972), both of them architects. joined him. It still went by this name in 1950, though in 1938 it appears as Henry Ward, Son and Ray (KD). Nothing is known of Ray.
Lit: BAL Biog file
Designed: Bexhill, – St Stephen (1898-1900)
Restored/altered: Hastings, – Christ Church, Ore (1950 as – HW and Son); – Holy Trinity (1906)
and is reproduced below.
H Ward H Ward and Son
Henry Ward (1854-1927) was a Londoner who studied in Paris. For the sake of his health, he moved to Hastings, where he designed the Town Hall in 1880 and was by 1881 Borough Surveyor (BN 41 p343). In private practice, he worked with Walter Liberty Vernon (1846-1914) on mainly public and commercial buildings in Bexhill, Hastings and Eastbourne, probably until Vernon emigrated to Australia at some point in the 1880s. After this Ward appears to have worked on his own, though the change in title of the practice to Henry Ward and Son implies that at least one of his two sons, Henry Dorrington Ward (1883-1968) or Frank Dorrington Ward (1885-1972), both of them architects. joined him. It still went by this name in 1950, though in 1938 it appears as Henry Ward, Son and Ray (KD). Nothing is known of Ray.
Lit: BAL Biog file
Designed: Bexhill, – St Stephen (1898-1900)
Restored/altered: Hastings, – Christ Church, Ore (1950 as – HW and Son); – Holy Trinity (1906)