Thetford Town Council has secured a £70,000 grant from Historic England to support the next phase of restoration works at the Guildhall, a Grade II listed building at the heart of the town centre.
The funding will support Phase Two of the wider restoration programme, following the successful completion of Phase One, which saw the full restoration of the Guildhall’s Clock Tower and Cupola, reinstating one of Thetford’s most recognisable landmarks.
This next phase will focus on reinstating the Dorma window that once sat above the porchway but was removed due to deterioration. The grant will also fund further structural investigations into the vented cupola and internal areas of the building, helping the Council better understand what is needed to safeguard the building for the long term.
Historic England’s support is a welcome recognition of the Guildhall’s significance as a heritage asset with both local and national value. Referenced in the Domesday Book and formerly home to the town’s Assizes Court, the Guildhall continues to serve as a symbol of Thetford’s civic history and community identity.
Councillor Ann Blackbourn, Chair of Thetford Town Council’s Heritage and Events Committee, said, “We are incredibly grateful to Historic England for their support. The Guildhall is not only a central part of Thetford’s rich history but also a vital asset for our community. This funding enables us to move forward with Phase Two of the restoration, helping to preserve this iconic building for future generations.”
Phase One of the restoration was completed earlier this summer. On 9th July, the welcome sound of chimes resonated across Thetford town centre as the clock mechanism in the Guildhall was recommissioned and reset by Smiths of Derby. The original clock mechanism and bell date back to around 1800, with the bell still in its original condition. The clock underwent refurbishment around 1900, during which additional mechanisms were added, resulting in the complete structure that stands today.
The team at Smiths of Derby removed the clock for refurbishment while work was completed on the cupola and clock tower, performing a full service and reinstating the clock, making it active and chiming once more. The refurbishment included the repair and restoration of original features that had suffered extensive weathering and damage, which led to extensive wood rot and deterioration. This work involved replacing pillars around the cupola, repairing the lead work around the dome and the clock face, and stripping back the clock face surround. Areas of rotten wood were repaired, and the individual carvings surrounding the clock faces were carefully restored. Each section was crafted in segments, using repurposed original wood wherever possible. A small team of carpenters meticulously hand-carved the designs and assembled them to recreate the original heritage pieces, in keeping with the original design.
Thetford Town Council collaborated with heritage restoration experts to ensure the structure was refurbished to a high standard. This work ensures the beautiful feature of one of Thetford’s most historic buildings can be enjoyed by future generations. The scaffolding on the front of the building has now been removed, and the area has been thoroughly steam cleaned. The final sections of bird netting are being added and it is expected that the last sections of the scaffolding will be taken down by early August.
Thetford Town Council will open its doors during the Heritage Open Days events in September, offering behind-the-scenes images and information about the restoration. They will also continue to explore additional funding and partnership opportunities as the restoration programme develops. For updates on this and other Council projects, follow Thetford Town Council social media or the website at www.thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.
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