The second episode of this first series of ‘Grundy’s Wonders’ produced by Tyne Tees Television and written and presented by architectural historian and broadcaster John Grundy. In this edition John travels the regions looking at the history and development of the local town hall before picking the worst that will be given the ‘Grundy’s Great Boot of History’ as well as the best from an architectural point of view. An animation of a book with its pages turning revealing different buildings...

The second episode of this first series of ‘Grundy’s Wonders’ produced by Tyne Tees Television and written and presented by architectural historian and broadcaster John Grundy. In this edition John travels the regions looking at the history and development of the local town hall before picking the worst that will be given the ‘Grundy’s Great Boot of History’ as well as the best from an architectural point of view. An animation of a book with its pages turning revealing different buildings and architectural styles ending on presenter John Grundy holding the programmes title card. Title: Grundy’s Wonders Sitting on the steps of the Richmond Obelisk on the Market Place in Richmond North Yorkshire, presenter John Grundy asks the viewer what do they expect of a town hall? Following a montage of John standing outside several townhalls the programme returns to him back in Richmond explaining that there are almost as many types of town hall as there are towns. He then asks the viewer to ‘pop off’ and see if they can find Richmond’s town hall which is followed by a montage of various buildings around the Market Place including its Market Hall and eventually the Town Hall itself. Stepping in front of the camera John states that as a building it is quite ‘low key.’ As John heads inside he gives a voiceover on the history of this mid-18th century building entering a large room that is the actual ‘town hall’ itself where a coffee morning is being held. As he wonders around the hall he talks about the various sections that make up a town hall including council chambers, mayor’s parlour and what John describes as a ‘really beauty’ of a court room where the mayor and alderman would preside over the town court where minor criminal cases were tried. Over a montage of town halls from across the region including Berwick-upon-Tweed and Morpeth in Northumberland, the Butter Market at Barnard castle in County Durham, Yarm-on-Tees and Stockton-on-Tees in the Tees Valley John provides a history of the town corporations who initially built town hall and are described by John as ‘a cosy little circle of the well to do.’ Standing outside Ripon Town Hall in North Yorkshire John talks about some of the architectural features of this neo-classical building including an interpretation of the inscription across its top. Inside he reads another great inscription and is taken-aback by the idea that the woman who paid for the town hall to be built also gave permission for it to be used in this fashion. Over a portrait of her handing in a council chamber, John explains that during most of the 18th century Ripon was run by and for a few rich families including the Allanson’s who owned the town hall. Most towns were like this explains John. Title: 1835 The Grundy Gazette. All Change for Town Halls In the council chamber at Middlesbrough Town Hall John sits in the Mayor’s Chair providing details on the Municipals Corporations Act 1835 which changed forever the appearance of town halls. Over various views of the room John explains that council were now elected and that these people brough aggressive new blood into local government. To show how Victorian local councils spent a fortune improving the health and wellbeing of its population a montage of examples including the Ryhope Pumping at Sunderland, Ripon Spa Baths and Saltwell Park and the Shipley Art Gallery both in Gateshead. Over external views of Middlesbrough Town Hall John conclude that at the heart of their work were building a grand new town hall. Returning to John inside Middlesbrough’s council chambers, he explains that while not necessarily the most expensive, a town hall was almost always the most imposing. Over external views of Middlesbrough Town Hall and its clock John quotes the great Victorian architect Charles Barry on how and why a town hall should be imposing. Closer views of what John calls the ‘dignified Gothic style’ with him pointing out some if its features both outside and on the inside such as its large municipal organ which is described as being essential for any self-respecting town hall to provide public concerts that would improve and educate the taste of the populous. On a wall of Newcastle’s Civic Centre, the sculpture of the River God Tyne. Over a montage of the centre and its other sculptures John explains that the best town halls continue to act as a showcase for art and a centre piece of civic pride. Across the River Tyne the Gateshead Civic Centre with local residences coming and going and John explaining that today town halls are first and foremost council offices for the growing number of departments that provide a welcoming rather than imposing presence. Outside John explains why he likes this civic building. Back inside a line of senior citizen waiting to be served at the staff subsidised canteen while others enjoy their meals at tables chatting with friends. An example, explains John, of another welcoming and democratic touch. Title: Grundy’s Wonders End of Part One Part Two Walking across Darlington Market Place John explains in voiceover that he can’t think of one town hall with no good qualities. While he admires its location across from the Market Place and next door to St Cuthbert’s Church, one of the finest Medieval churches in the North, he gives this week ‘Grundy’s Great Boot of History’ to Darlington Town which he sees as not very grand or approachable as well as dull and boring. An animation of a boot coming down on an image of Darlington Town Hall. Standing in a park John explains that the viewer has two choices for the best town hall. Over views of the town itself John provides a history on the borough and corporation of South Shields before looking at the details on the design and construction of its new town hall designed in 1902 and opened in 1910. Walking around the Edwardian Baroque exterior John points many of its positive attributes including its exaggerated features and a tower that is visible all over the town. Inside he heads up the marble staircase to the second floor describing the interior as beautiful with gorgeous details in stained glass, brass and woodwork. Following views of the council chambers John comes to stand outside another council room inviting the viewer inside. It is he council’s gentleman’s toilet which John describes as an example of the ‘Edwardian high-spot for fancy loo design.’ Heading out onto the roof of the townhall John makes his way up the tower to look out across South Shields from a balcony. As he makes his way up a ladder to the tower, he explains that by 1905, when South Shield built it’s town hall, the balance of power had shifted with the money no longer needing to come from rich families such as in Ripon, but from town corporations themselves. Looking out across the town John states this is the ‘absolute highpoint of townhall design, what could compete?’ A montage of the Civic Centre at Chester-le-Street in County Durham built in 1981 and according to John still has the power to shock. After giving a history of its development, he describes the building as high tech as the north has to offer with sleek and sophisticated skin of aluminium and glass. Heading inside he describes the interior as logical. As council workers go about their duties in their open plan office, John climbs a set of spiral stairs to an upper level where managers have their offices describing the accommodation as ‘cool… almost chilling’. In the council chamber itself he sits in the almost bare cool space as it were the set of a James Bond villains lair. Heading back outside again he concludes his description of the building as bold and beautiful as well as being approachable and usable. However, doe he prefers it to South Shields? Returning there he stands outside the Edwardian townhall and says no, he does prefer this grand and beautiful building making it the best town hall in the Northeast. An animation of a fanfare of trumpets over the following title. Title: Grundy’s Wonder Over the closing credits John once again looking around South Shields Town Hall. Credit: Written and Presented by John Grundy Camera Mike Parker Additional Photography Steve Falvey Sound Cliff Burr Lighting Lew Hedley Production Assistants Eileen Brown, Margaret McKie Title Music and Sound Dubbing John Cook Graphics Dave Richardson Editor Mike Pounder Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Producer & Director Steve Robins End title: A Tyne Tees Television production. © Tyne Tees Television MM