Bexhill Town Hall
Bexhill Town Hall honours for Henry Ward Architect
Although Henry Ward designed Hastings Town Hall in Queens Road Hastings that was opened on 24th September 1881 he actually did not win the competition the was held, but he did take part in a competition to design a new Town Hall for Bexhill on Sea. The Hastings & St Leonard's Observer reported that Ward had won with first honours and the article below describes the proposed building.
After a century of use, in 2021 plans have been launched for a £!4 million pound scheme that might refurbish the municipal building and create a small amount of new homes. Bexhill Observer February 2021. On 13th October 2022 the Rother Planning Board refused the development plans by 7 votes to 6 because the design was not acceptable.
After a century of use, in 2021 plans have been launched for a £!4 million pound scheme that might refurbish the municipal building and create a small amount of new homes. Bexhill Observer February 2021. On 13th October 2022 the Rother Planning Board refused the development plans by 7 votes to 6 because the design was not acceptable.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 10th 1892 Hastings & St Leonard's Observer
THE NEW TOWN HALL PLANS, AWARD OF ASSESSOR.
The plan of Mr Henry Ward, of Hastings, has been accorded first honours in the competition of designs for the new Municipal Building, Messrs Clarke and Hutchinson, London, being second, and Mr J. B. Wall, Bexhill, third. The plans were open for Inspection at the Assembly Rooms on Monday and Tuesday. There were between 20 and 30 competitors. Mr Card, of Lewes, adjudicated upon the designs, The plan is arranged with a central entrance approached from Station-road, having a good portico, vestibule, and entrance hall, immediately apposite which is a wide stone staircase, having double return dights, and lighted by a large stone mullioned cathedral glass window. East and west of the staircase run a well-lighted and spacious corridor, from which the several offices are entered, the most important positions being devoted to the Medical Officer of Health, the Board's Clerk's and Surveyor's departments. Good offices are also given to the Sanitary Inspector, Rate Collector, and Cemetery Clerk. Ample strong rooms, plan room, and stationery stores, etc., are provided. Separate lavatory accommodation a provided for the principals and clerks, east and went of the main staircase, each having disconnecting lobbies. The first floor is devoted entirely to the use of the Board. A large Board room occupies the centre of the main front, at either end of which is a committee room, each being the whole width of the Board Room, and separated from same by revolving shutters, enabling the whole to be used as one large hall for public meetings, entertainment, etc. At the angle of the building is provided a chairman's parlour, having a stone mullioned bay window, which forms also a pleasing feature on the elevation. A spare room is provided at one end, in close proximity to the large hall, and is intended for members' assembling room, cloak or dressing room, for entertainments, etc. Separate lavatories are again provided on this floor east and west of the main staircase, approached from the main corridor by disconecting lobbies. A small house for caretaker is placed at the rear of the west end of the main building, with entrance from same into main time ment building by the main corridor. opened although complete in itself, in specially arranged it's of with a view to future extension. All the rooms White aking are of good size, well lighted, and have special ish-r- means provided for ventilation. The style of the architecture adopted i French Renaissance, ating having three gables, with windows in the same the lighting the roof, which, it is suggested, might ba d for. useful for storage, or could at any future time be side assily converted into several useful offices, etc hore. It is intended to carry out the front in red brick, in our with stone dressings, the roof being slated.
THE NEW TOWN HALL PLANS, AWARD OF ASSESSOR.
The plan of Mr Henry Ward, of Hastings, has been accorded first honours in the competition of designs for the new Municipal Building, Messrs Clarke and Hutchinson, London, being second, and Mr J. B. Wall, Bexhill, third. The plans were open for Inspection at the Assembly Rooms on Monday and Tuesday. There were between 20 and 30 competitors. Mr Card, of Lewes, adjudicated upon the designs, The plan is arranged with a central entrance approached from Station-road, having a good portico, vestibule, and entrance hall, immediately apposite which is a wide stone staircase, having double return dights, and lighted by a large stone mullioned cathedral glass window. East and west of the staircase run a well-lighted and spacious corridor, from which the several offices are entered, the most important positions being devoted to the Medical Officer of Health, the Board's Clerk's and Surveyor's departments. Good offices are also given to the Sanitary Inspector, Rate Collector, and Cemetery Clerk. Ample strong rooms, plan room, and stationery stores, etc., are provided. Separate lavatory accommodation a provided for the principals and clerks, east and went of the main staircase, each having disconnecting lobbies. The first floor is devoted entirely to the use of the Board. A large Board room occupies the centre of the main front, at either end of which is a committee room, each being the whole width of the Board Room, and separated from same by revolving shutters, enabling the whole to be used as one large hall for public meetings, entertainment, etc. At the angle of the building is provided a chairman's parlour, having a stone mullioned bay window, which forms also a pleasing feature on the elevation. A spare room is provided at one end, in close proximity to the large hall, and is intended for members' assembling room, cloak or dressing room, for entertainments, etc. Separate lavatories are again provided on this floor east and west of the main staircase, approached from the main corridor by disconecting lobbies. A small house for caretaker is placed at the rear of the west end of the main building, with entrance from same into main time ment building by the main corridor. opened although complete in itself, in specially arranged it's of with a view to future extension. All the rooms White aking are of good size, well lighted, and have special ish-r- means provided for ventilation. The style of the architecture adopted i French Renaissance, ating having three gables, with windows in the same the lighting the roof, which, it is suggested, might ba d for. useful for storage, or could at any future time be side assily converted into several useful offices, etc hore. It is intended to carry out the front in red brick, in our with stone dressings, the roof being slated.
Julian Porter Curator at Bexhill Museum
has produced this informative document about Bexhill Town Hall.
1892 Award of assessor
1894 February Henry Ward Architect Builder Charles Thomas £5250
1895 April 27th Town Hall Opens
1908 Town Hall Extension New Chamber
1894 February Henry Ward Architect Builder Charles Thomas £5250
1895 April 27th Town Hall Opens
1908 Town Hall Extension New Chamber