1st July 2015

DORCHESTER: Lottery backing to turn Shire Hall into tourist attraction

By Trevor Bevins

[email protected]

Building in ‘historic quarter’ will be devoted to the Tolpuddle Martyrs

The redevelopment of Dorchester’s Shire Hall into a tourist attraction – devoted to the Tolpuddle Martyrs is to go ahead.

There has been confirmation this week that a £1.5million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund has been awarded to the project.

Backers of the scheme hope that the project will become the hub of what many would like to see known as the county town’s ‘Historic Quarter.’

There are also hopes that the development will increase the chances of traffic calming in High West and High East Streets and see some traffic diverted away from one of the busiest roads through the town centre.

The Shire Hall, previously part of the West Dorset District Council offices and prior to that the former court building, will be transformed into a major visitor centre with exhibitions and teaching facilities for school visits.

What remains uncertain is whether an original plan to include a new Tourist Information Centre for Dorchester within the site will still be included. Only last week a review of all of the district’s tourist information centres, was announced.

The grant money goes to West Dorset District Council (WDDC) and London Dorchester Committee Trust (LDCT) who are behind the conversion plan.

The project aims to renovate and conserve the historic building and to convert it into a visitor centre, bringing to life the cases which were heard between 1800 and 1955 when it was a functioning court and cells. The project will also explain how life in Dorset and the justice system has changed throughout the life of the building.

The Shire Hall was built between 1796-1800 and designed by architect Thomas Hardwick. It hosted the Crown Court and travelling Assize court, and was also the scene for the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834. Half a century later, the author Thomas Hardy served there as a magistrate.

Said leader of the district council, Cllr Anthony Alford: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support. The Shire Hall is a truly unique building with a fascinating history that deserves to be opened up to residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Jon Murden, Chair of the London Dorchester Committee Trust and also Director at the County Museum, added:“We are extremely pleased to have secured this investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund for Dorchester’s historic Shire Hall. It will secure the future of this internationally significant building and make sure that the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the evolution of social justice in Dorset is interpreted and made accessible for generations of visitors to come.”

WDDC will use the grant to complete the detailed design of changes to the building and the permanent exhibition.

WDDC and LDCT aim to have the building open to the public by autumn 2017.

The project requires a total funding of £2.9m, which has so far been made up of £1.1m from WDDC and £100,000 from Dorset County Council, (in addition to the £1.5m grant from the HLF. The remaining £200,000 is being sought from other organisations.

One building work and an internal re-fit has been completed the district council will lease the building to the London Dorchester Committee Trust.

The project has the support of a wide range of organisations including the Trade Union Congress, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester Arts and Thomas Hardy Society. The new attraction will be themed around Justice and Workers’ rights, and local Dorset history.

CAPTION: Dorchester’s Shire Hall – new grant money will allow the building to become a new visitor

DORCHESTER: Lottery backing to turn Shire Hall into tourist attraction

Comments

Add new comment