Burslem - Old Town Hall

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No 45 - Old Town Hall, Burslem

Burslem Town Hall
Sid Kirkham

"on a little hill in the vast valley, was spread out the Indian-red architecture of Bursley - tall chimneys and rounded ovens, schools, the new scarlet market... and rows of little red houses with the amber chimney chimney-pots, and the gold angel of the blackened Town Hall topping the whole.
The sedate reddish browns and reds of the composition, all netted in flowing scarves of smoke, harmonised exquisitely with the chill blues of the chequered sky.
Beauty was achieved, and none saw it."

"Clayhanger", Arnold Bennett

The figures have naked torsos, their lower body and legs
have been replaced by a large scroll-like feature,
their arms reach up over their heads to support the bell tower.

"This powerful example of civic pride was, at one time, the centre of BurslerrTs life and is immortalised in several of Arnold Bennett's novels. It is the Italian-styled Old Town Hall, built of stone during 1852-7 by G. T. Robinson, of Leamington, to replace a smaller public hall that had stood for nearly a century. The foundation stone was laid on May 24th, 1854, by William Davenport, of Longport Hall. It has giant pilasters, a large west portico with clustered pillars surmounted by a baroque top, and a splendid entrance hall with a fine staircase.

There must have been some doubt about the accuracy of the original timepiece, because, in Bennett's "The Old Wives' Tale", Mr. Baines possessed a watch that he considered to be infallible and frequently, when it did not correspond with the Town Hall, he would expostulate: "Then th' Town Hall's wrong." The most well known adornment is the Golden Angel that stands precariously on a golden orb."

Neville Malkin 28th May 1975

1875 photograph of the Town Hall
This photo taken from Fountain Place end of Market Place
Behind the Town Hall can be seen the Burslem Meat Market

The 'angel'
Removed from atop the Burslem old Town Hall in February 1998
whilst refurbishment work took place for the Ceramica project.
The angel was on display in the Potteries Museum, Hanley
and then at the Royal Doulton Visitor in Burslem.

In December 2000 the angel was taken to the premises
of Bailey International Steeplejacks in Macclesfield
for restoration and re-guilding.

next: The Leopard, Burslem
previous: Queen's Hall
contents: index of buildings of Burslem