Our restored railings & gate
Posted: 21st May 2024The Clarence Hall is not only a lovely old building, but it is also a classic example of Victorian architecture and decor. Thanks to Hall Trustee and Director, David Jeremiah, we’re very excited that our railings and gate have been restored and reinstated!
David has also written an update to our Gems series…
Phase one of the refurbishment of the Clarence Hall is nearing completion and as a result the “little gems”, (those artefacts that were removed for safe keeping) are being replaced. The first replacement is the wrought iron gate and railings to the right of the hall – our new entrance. These items have stood the test of time. They have been taken for granted and, for the most part, been unnoticed for over a hundred years. They have stood up to the weather, avoided going for “metal salvage” during two wars and escaped from the heritage vandals who in the sixties and seventies hideously “modernised” many of our civic buildings. Now they are back in place restored and painted in the original colours – take a look. Notice the nicely worked finials – painted gold – and the natty hinges and the almost total lack of corrosion.
I am sure the geeks amongst our readers would agree that if there is one material which epitomises the Victorian era it is wrought iron. It was, and still is, a magical material. By composition, it is almost pure iron infused with silica strands, a sort of ancient resin/glass fibre material. It is malleable, corrosion proof, durable and easily worked. It was used to form the hulls of ships like the SS Great Britain and to build the great steam engines that underpinned Victorian commerce. And, of course, the fences and frames of Victorian expansion!
