I wasn't aware until recently that in 1934, an extension to the museum was erected which joined the Cloth Hall to the Granary. The pictures below show the back and the front of the new extension which forms the museum building which we have today.
The plaque on the front was taken from the plinth of Queen Victoria's statue when she was removed from the Market Place. It is interesting to note the winds of change. The flags on the plaque are pointing to the right. On the Town Council logo, they are pointing to the left. Unless of course this is a political statement.
Although that actual bit appears to be a 1934 extension, judging by the quality of the brickwork at the back, what was there before as every picture I have seen going back to the late 1800s show the two buildings connected. We already have a picture posted in the old photo section which to save you the trouble I have taken the liberty of pirating it to here.
Not entirely - there was a scheme a few years ago that envisaged a large glass structure all along the back of the museum. I'm pretty sure that this is not what they are planning at present.
I think Meddler is referring to a comment made by Pamela Bale, councillor in charge of the Vision for Newbury. She told a recent executive meeting that it could: "make a similar statement" to the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris.
Oh for the love of God....please, please tell me she was joking....
Please tell me that this Ms Bale isn't so full of pomposity and self-delusion that she REALLY thinks that anything W.B.C. could come up with could in ANY way match, rival, or be similar to the Pei's Pyramid(s) at the Louvre.
The last thing they commisioned was the design of the market place, and even then WBC went and changed the sight-lines afterwards...(because, of course, they knew better)
A library (complete with sagging roof) A new road (by SCATS - comes with its own dead end) A new school at Trinity - so what that the kids are getting worse grades. They turned Shaw House from a ramshackle mansion into...er....new council offices. St Johns Roundabout - nuff said.
They turned Shaw House from a ramshackle mansion into...er....new council offices.
Remember we had a conversation on here some while ago about using Shaw House as the Newbury/West Berks museum. Seems like the council have had the same thought OR lifted it from this board.
Quote..NWN 11th June.
Mrs Bale said "The Council has investigated moving the museum to Shaw House and giving the buildings away [The cloth hall and Corn Store] but heritage organisations are understood to be reluctant to take on the responsibility" "That is certainly an option on the table, but it would cost us money to give the buildings to somebody. We would effectively have to give them with a dowry"
Unquote
So, that's that then, not sure why they need to gift the buidings although the precedent has been set by the "Car Parks for a Pound" Also, interested to know what heritage organisations heve been approached and why are they reluctant.
Remember we had a conversation on here some while ago about using Shaw House as the Newbury/West Berks museum. Seems like the council have had the same thought OR lifted it from this board.
I hope it was obvious enough for them to think of it themselves!
Mrs Bale said "The Council has investigated moving the museum to Shaw House and giving the buildings away [The cloth hall and Corn Store] but heritage organisations are understood to be reluctant to take on the responsibility" "That is certainly an option on the table, but it would cost us money to give the buildings to somebody. We would effectively have to give them with a dowry"
So, that's that then, not sure why they need to gift the buidings although the precedent has been set by the "Car Parks for a Pound" Also, interested to know what heritage organisations heve been approached and why are they reluctant.
They could try to sell them but their listed status and the need for extensive repairs would not attact many buyers. They have neglected them - so its their own fault.
However, their desperation to turn Newbury Museum into West Berkshire Museum leaves a gap that needs to be filled with a Newbury Museum - perhaps the Town Council would take on the Cloth Hall and the 1930s bit as a Newbury Museum (naturally the Newbury specific collections would stay). The Granary (why are they trying to rename it as the Corn Store?) could be let as boutique shopping (upstairs and downstairs).
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