Brunner Guildhall

Brunner Guildhall – key facts

  • The Brunner Guildhall is a Grade II listed building located in Winsford, Cheshire
  • Given to Winsford in 1897 by Sir John Brunner (local MP and co-founder of Brunner Mond Ltd), as a Diamond Jubilee Gift in the 60th year of Queen Victoria’s reign
  • Designed by A.E.Powles, Northwich, and built by J.Fowles, Winsford, at a cost of £3,000
  • Opened by Sir John Brunner on 4th November 1899
  • More than 1,100 people processed from Wharton Recreation Ground to the Guildhall for the opening ceremony
  • Its use was probably modelled on the first Brunner Guildhall, opened in Runcorn in 1895
  • The Winsford Guildhall was to be used by Winsford and district trades unions, friendly societies, clubs and associations as a place for meetings and functions
  • Day-to-day affairs were in the hands of a Management Committee, made up of representatives from the town council and the building’s tenants

A video of the Brunner Guildhall can be seen below

Some of the early tenants to have used the Guildhall includes those listed below.

Agricultural SocietyJohn Brunner Freemasons’ LodgeOver Silver Band
Amalgamated Society of EngineersJoint Dance CommitteePing Pong Tournament Committee
British Women’s Temperance AssociationLawn Tennis ClubRed Cross Society
Carpenters and Joiners SocietyLiterary and Debating SocietySons of Temperance
Cheshire County CouncilNational Farmers UnionVale Royal Football Club
Christian BrotherhoodNorthwich Building SocietyWinsford Angling Society
Gymnasium ClassNSPCCWinsford Saltmakers Association
Independent Labour PartyOld Age Pensioners Committee
Independent Order of Rechabites (Temperance Society)Over Bowling Club

Brunner Guildhall – The Future

Winsford Town Council (which holds the Guildhall in trust for the people of Winsford) is undertaking a major project designed to restore the building and bring it back into use. The vision is to see the Guildhall provide a mix of commercial and social activity that meets the needs and interests of today’s residents of Winsford.

Grants from the Architectural Heritage Fund (£7,100) and Cheshire West & Chester local Members (£2,100) have been secured, enabling WTC to bring in expertise from consultants in conservation architecture, governance, heritage activity and community engagement (see individual profiles).

Under the terms of the AHF grant, WTC is now compiling a detailed report which outlines the scope of the restoration work, the future use and the governance of the Guildhall. The report is to be submitted to the AHF in September 2018, who will then submit it for independent scrutiny. Thereafter, the final report can be used as the basis for major grant funding applications from bodies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund.

 

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Wanted

Do you have any photographs or postcards of the Guildhall, or any stories or reminiscences about it? They will help us with our understanding of this landmark Winsford building. If you do, please contact us – we would be delighted to hear from you.

Contact

If you have any views on the building and its future use, or any other issue relating to the Guildhall, please contact Mark Bailey, Town Clerk on (01606 593582) or email at mail@winsford.gov.uk Alternatively, use the feedback form found here.

Venue

Brunner Guildhall
Winsford
Cw7 2AU