on Hadleigh’s Guildhall
A new book charting the fascinating history of one of Hadleigh’s oldest buildings has been launched by The Hadleigh Society. Entitled A History of the Guildhall, Hadleigh, Suffolk, it is the result of over three years of meticulous research by the Society’s History Group who first produced a timeline revealing information on the building not previously known.
Research was primarily from original manuscripts and documents, many having to be translated from Latin.
In six chapters, the book recounts significant changes in use during the building’s incredibly varied history. Over its 600-plus years of life it functioned as a guildhall, market hall, cloth hall, grammar school, almshouse, workhouse, house of correction, hospital, assembly room, courthouse, fire engine store, civic centre – and even a corset factory!
Well-illustrated, the book includes the full timeline dating from May 1252 to August 2023, the authors are Sue Angland, Roger Kennell, Mark Lawrence, Sally Looker, Jan McNelly and Margaret Woods, who each researched a different aspect from the Guildhall’s medieval origins through to the 20th century.
They tell the story of its life and the significant role it played – and continues to play – in the development of the town. It was summed up neatly by Caroe Architecture, commissioned to make a report on the building:
“Decisions which would shape Hadleigh’s history were made within its walls.”
Opening the launch, Sue Monks, mayor of Hadleigh said: “We are so fortunate to have this wonderful group of buildings. From their construction they have belonged to the people of Hadleigh. We should be proud keepers of this building and it is still being used for the purposes for which it was built – a civic and community centre.”
“Hadleigh’s magnificent Guildhall has been deemed of exceptional national and international significance,” said Sue Angland, the group’s chairperson. “Nobody has done the sort of research that we have, and this is the first and only book devoted solely to the Guildhall.”
Publication of The History of the Guildhall, Hadleigh, Suffolk, was sponsored by Hadleigh Town Council, the Suffolk Local History Council and The Hadleigh Society. It is available through selected local booksellers and via Hadleigh Society’s website: https://hadsoc.org.uk Price £10.
- The Hadleigh Society was formed in 1982 with its primary aim: To protect and enhance Hadleigh’s heritage and environment by supporting and promoting high standards in planning, conservation, regeneration and development of features deemed to be of historical or environmental significance in the town.
4th November 2024
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE HADLEIGH SOCIETY, c/o 6 LISTER ROAD, HADLEIGH, SUFFOLK IP7 5JN T 01473 827891
Picture: Had. Soc.
Hadleigh Society History Group authors, at the launch of their new book A History of the Guildhall, Hadleigh, Suffolk. They are, l to r, Roger Kennell, Sally Looker, Margaret Woods, Sue Monks (Hadleigh mayor), Jan McNelly, Sue Angland, Jan Byrne (Hadleigh Society president) and Mark Lawrence.
Picture: Had. Soc
A History of the Guildhall, Hadleigh Suffolk, has been published by The Hadleigh Society after three years research by the History Group.
Picture: Had. Soc.
Hadleigh’s Guildhall which has been deemed of national and international significance.