Dawley Town Hall to gain new lease of life
A keen group of volunteers will be rolling up their sleeves to start to clean up the much loved Dawley Town Hall and its grounds from Friday 3 February.
Local residents are being invited to attend the clean up event between 10.30am-2pm to talk to the volunteers including Capgemini, the Phoenix secondary school and representatives of the Dawley Regeneration Partnership sub group about fond memories they hold of the building and their ideas for its future.
Plans are to develop ‘A Friends of Dawley Town Hall’ group with those residents and local businesses who want to be involved in securing the buildings future.
Neil Stonehouse, Head teacher of The Phoenix School, said: “Like Phoenix school, the Dawley Town Hall has played a significant part in the community for a number of years. Working in partnership with others in this way will help us all improve facilities and opportunities for the Dawley community. We are really excited to be part of the project.”
Councillor Shaun Davies, Cabinet Member for Environment, Co-operative Council and Partnerships, said; “Talking to residents in Dawley it is absolutely clear that the Town Hall has played host to many important and cherished family occasions throughout the years.
“From fond memories of weddings to family gatherings and functions the Dawley Regeneration Partnership aims to keep these memories alive by restoring this iconic building so that more people can enjoy this facility.
“Working in partnership with local people, schools, and businesses; to name just a few, is exactly what the Co-operative Council’s vision is and I know that together we
will be able to give this building the best chance of survival and success.”
Originally built in 1873 as a Temperance Hall, the building was passed to Dawley Urban District Council who adopted it as the Town Hall. The Council let the building for public meetings, concerts and dances.
During the 1920s and 1930s the building was used as a variety theatre with regular shows taking place. Following the Second World War, a nonconformist group used the hall, and in 1958 it held Roman Catholic services because of the lack of a Catholic church in town.
If you would like to get involved contact a member of the Priority Action Team on 01952 382131.
