Newbury Arts Centre The Temperance Hall (Now Used As Newbury Arts Centre)

1. NORTHCROFT LANE 5127 The Temperance Hall (Now used as Newbury Arts Centre) SU 4767 SW 6/178

II GV

1. Circa 1859 Temperance Hall in Gothic style. A remodelling of 5 old cottages previously used by the Blue Coat Charity School. Two storeys. Gabled symmetrical front to road. Tiled roof with coped gables surmounted by tall iron wind vane. Red brick with freestone dressings. Arched openings with keystones and hoods; windows with glazing bars. Central doorway with fanlight and panelled door. Stone plaque over entrance inscribed 'Temperance Hall'. Four tablets at plinth level inscribed 'Wine is a mocker/Strong drink is raging/It stingeth like an adder/The drunkard shall come to poverty.' The hall is now used as a store. The Blue Coat Charity School adapted existing cottages on this site for use as a school when the establishment was transferred here in circa 1722 from the Cloth Hall (see Museum, Wharf Street). The school remained here until circa 1859 when the St Nicholas (National) School, Enmore Road (qv) was built. Listed for historical and sociological interest. (VCH Berkshire 4, 146; Newbury Buildings Past and Present (1973) 94).

Listing NGR: SU4703867220