The buildings of Wycombe: The former Town Hall

When I say former town hall, it is now officially part of the Swan Arts Centre and sadly Wycombe no longer has a dedicated single use town hall which I think is a great shame.

In the early part of the 20th Century Wycombe was rapidly expanding town and a new purpose built town hall was commissioned as the Guild Hall which doubled up as the town hall was just too small.

Designed by the architects C E Bateman and Alfred Hale of Birmingham the foundation stone was laid on 5th November 1903 however the building did not open until 1904.

As can be seen from the picture taken in 1910 (see links below) this building pre-dates the others in Queen Victoria Road.

Not only did the new building have a large hall for municipal functions but on the first floor was a purpose built council chamber (known as the Red Room) for the then Borough of Chepping of Wycombe.

In 1911 five large stained glass windows were installed in the Red Room as a gift from Charles Walter Raffety.

In total 22 local people are commemorated in the stained glass windows. The theme of the main window was progress and featured a chair to represent Wycombe's main industry while the other four windows honoured John Hampden, William Penn, Edmund Burke and Benjamin Disraeli.

Between 1914 and 1918 the Red Room was refitted with luxurious oak panelling and renamed the Oak Room.

The ornately carved stonework on the outside of the building is of very high quality.

On each side of the building are two stone faced towers which frame the building. At the top of each tower is a circular window and above that is carved the swan emblem of Wycombe.

To the right of the magnificent heavy oak door is the foundation stone laid by the then Mayor of Wycombe Daniel Clarke in 1903.

In the middle of the roof is a clock tower with black numerals on each of the dials however the clock does not chime. I'm not sure if it ever did (perhaps a reader can enlighten us?) but never less the clock tower compliments the magnificence of the building.

Thankfully the building was afforded Grade II listed status in January 1996 making it one of the more recent buildings in Wycombe to be protected.

Over the years the former town hall has been a focal point for the people of Wycombe. It has hosted banquets, concerts, election rallies and entertainment events.

I find it such a shame that it is now part of the Swan entertainment centre and as a result its use is purely theatrical rather than hosting the multitude of functions for the whole community that you would expect of a town hall. Wycombe really needs a town hall that is a focal point for the whole community.

Next time you pass by just think this building is 107 years old. If only the buildings of today were as magnificent as our former town hall think what Wycombe would be like.

What do you think?

Here are some links to the wonderful SWOP site showing pictures of the town hall though the years:

SWOP – Laying the foundation stone (Nov 1903)

SWOP –Banquet in the Town Hall (Nov 1904)

SWOP – The new Town Hall (c.1910)

SWOP – The Town Hall (1935)

SWOP – The Town Hall (1960)

SWOP – Refurbishment (July 1973)

High Wycombe Society – The Oak Room Windows

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