The Mechanics Institute
or
The Town Hall
Click The images for a better picture
1912 - 1997
The Mechanics Institute
or The Town Hall
Pudsey's first purpose built Mechanics Institute was opened in
November 1880 by the Prime Minister's son. The Institute or College
stood on part of the old Waver Green. The total cost of construction
including land, design and construction was around £5,000. In 1900
an extention was built at a cost of £3,000. Around the time the
extension was completed state education was becoming compulsary and,
unlike the Institute free. The extension did house a Secondary
School for a short time because of pressure from the County Council.
The Secondary School moved around 1911 to a purpose built School on
Richardshaw Lane. When the School moved the Institute had debts of
£8,000 and an empty extention. Pudsey Council made an offer to take
over both the building and the debts. After long deliberation
the Councils bid was accepted. In 1912 building was re-opened as
Pudsey Town Hall after having its interior re-designed at a cost of
£9,000. The photograph on the right hand side was taken in 1997
looking the up Lowtown hill towards the town centre. The spire of
the building was taken down around 1965 when it became unsafe.
The Town Hall at War
Throughout the war Pudsey Town Hall took to wearing an overcoat
made of sand bags for protection.
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