History
Victorian Tile Sponsorship Opportunity
Be a part of the town’s heritage
Following the Great Fire of Blandford in 1731, the Town Hall and Shambles were designed and constructed by the Bastard brothers in 1734. The Corn Exchange was added later, in 1858, and in 1891 the hall was richly decorated with faience tiles. These decorative tiles have been concealed beneath plywood boxing for several decades, and we now look forward to their restoration and reinstatement as part of the refurbishment of the town’s stunning Grade I Listed building, which is the jewel in the crown of Blandford Forum.
A specialist consultant in historic tiling assessed the condition of the tiles and provided recommendations for their repair and replacement. There are 23 different types of tile, with around 1,200 in total, and the restoration process is expected to take nearly 1,000 hours to complete.
Among the decorative details is the face of Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture, featured on some of the tiles. As a revered figure in ancient Greek religion and the deity of harvest, grain, and fertility, her presence is especially fitting in the Corn Exchange, where corn was traded in the 19th century.
The Town Council is pleased to offer the community a unique opportunity to be part of this historic building’s restoration by sponsoring a tile. Whether you’re an individual, business, group, or organisation, you can leave your mark on the Corn Exchange. The name you choose will be proudly included in a list of sponsors on display within the building.
Tiles can be sponsored for £30 (including VAT). You can pay by card or cash in the office, or by bank transfer. The Town Council’s bank details are Blandford Forum Town Council – 30-90-92 / 00489333 – please ensure you also email us to confirm payment and your chosen name to appear in the display. Please let us know if you require an invoice or receipt for your records.
The Corn Exchange
THIS VENUE IS CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT AT THE MOMENT.
For more information on the project please click here.
Market Place, Blandford Forum, DT11 7AF
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The Corn Exchange is the largest of the Town Council’s venues available for hire by members of the Public.
It has a large stage making it suitable for public performances with rear dressing rooms and toilet facilities. The main hall is large enough to hold “table-top” sales, markets, private functions and receptions. The floor is ideal for dancing. A kitchen is available for use and is equipped with refrigerator, urn, cooker and cups and saucers for 200. Pay and Display car parking is available within easy walking distance. There is disabled access at the main entrance where there are also toilet facilities including disabled. Wifi availability.
History
The buildings, colloquially known as “The Corn Exchange”, are centrally situated in the Market Place, the main shopping area. They carry a Grade I statutory listing and are located at the heart of a conservation area described as “the most complete and cohesive surviving example of a Georgian country town in England” in the 1970 Donald W. Insall report commissioned by the County Council to assess the area.
The facade of the Town Hall, built in 1734, is a uniquely important and pivotal feature in the centre of the Market Place in Blandford. Its size, design and use of Portland stone facade set it apart from its mostly red-brick Georgian neighbours and afford it a unique position in the 18th century townscape.
This complex of buildings comprise the “Shambles”, the Town Hall room, and Council Chamber, all housed in the original Town Hall building. They are linked by a single storey extension to the Corn Exchange, built in 1858, which has a opening cut through its northern wall to form a proscenium arch into another single storey building which forms the stage. This stage building is in turn is joined to the modern Council Offices built at the back of the complex in 1990. The entire site is wholly owned, run and maintained by Blandford Forum Town Council. The ‘Corn Exchange’ has been the centre of civic functions since 1734 and over its 289 year lifespan has periodically seen injections of local public money to adapt it for uses contemporary to the times
The Shambles
THIS VENUE IS CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT AT THE MOMENT.
For more information on the project please click here.
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The area inside the gates at the front of the Corn Exchange.
The Town Hall
THIS VENUE IS CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT AT THE MOMENT.
For more information on the project please click here.
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Situated on the first floor, access is via lift or stairs, at the front of the Corn Exchange. The Town Hall is suitable for group meetings and courses and can accommodate 50 people maximum. Pay and display car parking is available within easy walking distance. Wifi availability.
The Council Chamber
THIS VENUE IS CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT AT THE MOMENT.
For more information on the project please click here.
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Next to the Town Hall the Council Chamber, access via lift or stairs and offers a traditional setting for formal meetings or smaller groups and can accommodate up to 15 seated around the large meeting table. Wifi availability.
