Renovation work underway at Telford memorial hall
Scaffolding is up and long-awaited restoration work is under way at a historic community building in Telford.
Specialist masonry contractors have moved into The Anstice Memorial Hall, in Madeley, to restore the front porch ahead of a revamp of the main building next year.
The premises will have its interior and the front of the building modernised under a £1.1 million overhaul.
Building owners Madeley Town Council said events booked for the festive period will be going ahead as planned and will not be affected.
These dramatic pictures taken by Anstice Community Trust member Dot Holden show the porch without its roof as the Cannock based contractors Croft Building & Conservation Ltd get stuck into the effort to replace the rotting rafters.
Town council regeneration officer Andy Rose said: "We are doing the porch ahead of the main restoration because we need a specialist to do it. Croft successfully tendered for it and they started last week on the porch.
"All the rafters have got rotten. They have ripped off the roof and will replace the beams. They will be stripping off all the white paint to check the original sandstone and brick work underneath. Over the years the wall has been painted a number of times using paint that was not breathable and as a result it has suffered frost damage.
"When the walls are stripped we will make a decision over what further repairs may be needed in the porch. We are trying to get this part of it done ahead by the end of this month as we have quite a few bookings in place for Christmas.
"If any more repairs are required those will be done in January."
The main refurbishment will focus on bringing the whole building back into use and will for the first time include a lift and toilets for disabled visitors.
Long-term plans will see Madeley library relocated into the hall, two shop units will be created for commercial letting and a community cafe.
Planning permission was recently granted for the scheme with funding coming from Telford & Wrekin Council, Madeley Town Council, a loan from the Public Works Board and other agencies. In addition residents are being urged to attend concerts as part of efforts to generate funds.
Just 29 tickets are left for UB40 tribute act Johnny2bad on December 22. Tickets costing £12 advance are on sale at Jubilee House, in High Street, or phone 01952 567286.
