The Guildhall

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 4 July 2023 to amend the name

TM 16 SE 6/70

DEBENHAM GRACECHURCH STREET No 2

(Formerly listed as No.2 (The Guildhall), previously listed under High Street as The Cross and adjoining premises)

9/12/55

GV II*

Former market hall, erected on site of market cross. Upper room adapted for use as school in 1668, established under the will of Sir Robert Hitcham. Latterly shop premises; empty at time of survey (July 1987). Early-mid C17 (after 1621) with alterations of 1668. Timber framed and roughcast-rendered. Roof of mid C20 concrete plaintiles.

A freestanding building, approximately square on plan. Two storeys and attic. Gable ends to north and south have jettied upper floors carried on thick carved brackets, the bressummers carved with repeated geometric patterns, now much eroded. Slightly projecting gables, the tie beams also carved.

To north is a tripartite upper window, the projecting centre portion with original carved sill and renewed four-light window; the four-light side windows each retain one original ovolo mullion. C17 attic window. Large boarded and battened doors date from the use of the ground floor as a fire station.

To east, an original five-light mullion and transom window with renewed carved sill. To south, a pair of C20 mullion and transom windows on each floor, a C20 battened entrance door and a gable stack with small square shaft.

Interior. Gable ends were open to ground floor, with a central post and knee braces to the mid rail. Side walls on ground floor have widely-spaced studs and long straight braces. Similar infilling to gable ends. First floor studs quite widely spaced, with curved braces at the corners. Upper floor has on-edge plain joists. Plaster ceiling of upper floor is insertion of c.1668 when attic was made: centre band has repeated pattern based on half-circles; four moulded divisions with Fleur-de-lys, foliage and rosette motifs. Stack is founded on upper floor, an insertion of c.1668 to heat the schoolroom. The fireplace has a simple three-centred brick arch. Roof has clasped and butt purlins with arched wind-bracing.

For structural drawings see Mr T. Easton, Bedfield Hall.

Listing NGR: TM1737463265