New Town Hall And Neeld Hall

CHIPPENHAM

ST9273SW HIGH STREET 930-1/10/55 (South side) 25/04/50 New Town Hall and Neeld Hall

GV II

Town hall. 1848 by J Thompson at the expense of Joseph Neeld, MP. Limestone ashlar front, rubblestone right return, slate roof with stacks to rear. PLAN: double-depth plan with market hall to the rear. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys; 4-bay front. The 3 bays to the left are symmetrical, the bay to the right is stepped forward and is 3 storeys, (described later). Simple cornice and blocking course with plain bands below, and at 1st-floor sill level. Semicircular arches to each light of 3-light small-paned sash windows with off-set sills over wide semicircular arches to a loggia. Plain pilasters on plinths flank the facade; those to the central bay, which is stepped forward, rise above to blocking course to support a parapet and elaborate carved Neeld Arms. Below the cornice a panel states "The Corporation of Chippenham erected the Arms of Joseph Neeld Esq, the founder of this Hall and Market Place in acknowlegement of his private munificence 1851". The bay to the right, probably earlier, has a balustraded parapet and moulded cornice; a 2-light sash window in a raised mullioned surround to the 2nd floor; platband; a full-height tripartite window under a cornice on consoles; sill band over a tripartite plate-glass sash window with a cornice and a blocked doorway to the right with a shallow hood on brackets. The right return has various C19 sash windows in C19 surrounds and door in plain ashlar surrounds. INTERIOR: the loggia has a stone vaulted ceiling. A fine facade, the plain, heavy pilasters contributing to a rather severe Classical style. Thompson was employed by Neeld on other projects, including Grittleton House, Grittleton CP.

Listing NGR: ST9203373309