History
Todmorden Town Hall opened on 3rd April 1875 amidst festivities on an extraordinary scale. Newspaper reports describe half a dozen triumphal arches set up across the streets, bearing such mottoes as ‘Success to the Town and Trade of Todmorden’
The Hall was designed by John Gibson, a successful architect, with work across the country including in London, Glasgow and Birmingham.
The Fielden Family paid for the construction of the Town Hall, and subsequently gave the Hall to the town on the 6th August 1891. The Fieldens were thanked for their "“noble and generous gift of the handsome and unique structure”
For many years the Town Hall has been the centre of the local government within Todmorden, with the Town Council still meeting in the Council Chamber. This room was also the Magistrates Court, used for 117 years to administer justice in Todmorden, ending in 1993 when court business was removed to Halifax, being amalgamated into the Calderdale Magistrates Court. Although under Calderdale Council, Todmorden Town Council still operates.
The first recorded event in the Hall took place on 7th April 1875, with the “4th annual gathering of old folks”. Social events such as these have been responsible for a significant amount of the Hall’s usage over the 150 years.
Another regular feature at the Hall is music, with the first concert performed there held 16th April 1875, and the Great Hall became a regular host for the Todmorden Orchestral and Choral societies.
The Great Hall has also been used for theatrical performances, political speeches and lectures, and more modern entertainments such as radio and television recordings, including the BBC’s Children’s Hour, as well as illusionist Derren Brown’s programme, The Secret of Luck.
While the Town Hall is no longer the seat of local justice, and the elements of local governance it houses have changed radically in the last 150 years, the Town Hall continues to fulfil many of the functions it was designed for.
Community groups regularly meet in the Town Hall, as well as concerts from local groups and performers. The Town Hall has also acted as an emergency venue during floods, such as in 2015 when it was used as a centre for collection and distribution of food and supplies.
The Town Hall has also continues to live on as a commercial venue, being available for hire, particularly for weddings.
In the 21st Century, many efforts are being made to protect the town hall and keep it in use. Volunteers play a key part, delivering tours of the Grade 1 listed building, providing further appreciation to the heritage of the “handsome and noble structure”.
