Shire Hall bust, Brecon

There was a time when most counties had a Shire Hall. This was a focus of the administration of the county and often included courts of law. Examples near where we currently live can be found in Hereford, Monmouth, Gloucester and Worcester. Some of these buildings still house their original activities: others have been taken over by lesser services, and many incorporate museum-like features. The Shire Hall at Brecon presents its former courts as an attraction for visitors, and interestingly, displays busts by the local sculptor, John Evan Thomas. I don't know whether they formed part of the original courts - I doubt it - but they make a good addition to the building.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Lantern, Shire Hall, Monmouth

The rear staircase that was added in 1830 to Monmouth's Shire Hall is quite an unimpressive structure simply folding back and forth as it rises. That is until the top floor is reached when we find above us an unfluted Greek Doric arcade that helps to support a rather fine octagonal lantern that lights the staircase. This appears to have been recently restored as the Wedgwood blue and white paintwork shows. In the centre is a feathered flower that is the focus of eight bead strips. The octagon sits in a square with each of the four corners featuring a fluted, shell-like fan.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Shire Hall, Monmouth

The administrative headquarters of English, Welsh and Scottish regional government is (or was - some have acquired different uses) the Shire Hall or the County Hall. These usually date from the eighteenth, nineteenth or twentieth centuries. Monmouth's Shire Hall is quite a typical example. It is an imposing Baroque-style limestone building of 1724 - quite a late date for this particular look - that was built on the site of its 1571 predecessor. The architect of the main elevation was Fisher of Bristol. Work in 1828 by Edward Haycock remodelled the courtrooms and added rear stairs. The Shire Hall lost its purpose in 1974 when the county of Gwent was created and the courts were moved to Abergavenny. The building hosts Monmouth Town Council and is currently in the process of accommodating the exhibits of the town's museum which was formerly housed in the old market hall of 1837-9.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5