The Grandeur of Todmorden Town Hall's Frontage. January 2024
As you approach Todmorden, nestled amidst the Pennine Hills, a majestic sight unfolds: the imposing frontage of the town hall. More than just a grand building, it's a symbol of civic pride, rich history, and a vibrant present.
The frontage, spanning an impressive 53 feet, is a visual delight. Constructed in the Italianate style, it boasts a symmetrical design with towering columns, arched windows, and intricate stonework. The town hall opened on the 3rd April 1875, at a cost of £54,000. The original plans for the hall were conceived a couple of decades earlier, when architect James Green was charged with building a town hall for the town of Todmorden. Legal and financial problems saw this work grind to a halt by the mid-1860s. The Fielden family, a local owner of many of the town's cotton mills, purchased the site and took financial responsibility for completing the hall.
Look closer at the frontage, and you'll discover the symbolic language whispered in the stone. The pediment features two allegorical figures, representing Lancashire and Yorkshire, united by industry and prosperity. The friezes below depict scenes of cotton spinning and engineering, reflecting the town's heritage. The hall was built atop Walsden Water, the historic boundary of Lancashire and Yorkshire, to unite the town populace.
The frontage isn't just aesthetically pleasing; it's a window into the town's soul. Imagine grand balls held in the opulent ballroom, the echo of justice served in the former magistrate's court, and the countless community events that have brought laughter and life to these walls. Every scratch, every detail, whispers untold stories of the people who have walked these steps and made Todmorden what it is today.
The pictures below were taken on the 6th January 2024 with a Nikon d3300, they can also be seen on Clickasnap by clicking any of them(opens in another window).
