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In 1647, Cardigan's burgers petitioned Parliament for the provision of a free school for the town. The plot of land that houses the Guildhall complex today, was purchased and Cardigan Corporation Free Grammar School was built there in 1653. It received an endowment from Lady Letitia Cornwallis in 1768, and was rebuilt in 1791.
In 1854, the Mayor of Cardigan, William Griffith George, instigated the idea of building a new Market House for the town. Three years later, the Grammar School was demolished and the Cardigan Market and Improvements Bill was passed by Parliament. The new building, designed by R.J. Withers, was the first municipal building in Britain to follow the Ruskinian style of architecture. The foundation stone was laid in 1858 and the complex was officially opened in 1860, housing the corn, wool, meat and produce markets, the Borough Council Chambers and the Mechanics Institute as well as a new Grammar School room. In 1866 the Mechanics Institute section had to be rebuilt as it began to collapse.
In 1871, Cardigan's russian field gun (donated in memory of Lord Cardigan's brave but ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava) was placed on the Guildhall steps, where it can still be seen.
In 1874, the front of the Guildhall had to be "stayed" to the back. A new town clock was presented by David Davies, Stanley House in 1892, a new clock turret being added to the structure to house it. In the infancy of cinema, Velograph Moving Pictures were shown at the Guildhall in 1898.
Today the complex includes an upper and lower market and a Senior Citizen's Social Centre.
In 1387, Eleanor Blakeney leased a hall to the authorities for holding the Great Sessions and that hall may have stood on the site. Deeds of 1566 refer to a ".. guild hall .." in this location. Henry Davies, Mayor of Cardigan in 1712, was asked to provide a place for "burning malefactors" i.e. torturing criminals at the hall.
In 1762, John Lloyd of Coedmore set up a fund towards rebuilding at a cost of £590. Work began the following year and was completed in 1764. Renovations were constructed in 1797 and the architect David Evans altered and enlarged the building between 1827 and 1830. In 1843 , part of the north wall collapsed - undermined by footings for a new house. Repairs were conducted, and the following year a new facade complete with dated clock was unveiled.
In 1889, the Assizes were removed from Cardigan and in 1894 Thomas Watkins of Rocklands bought the property.
It has since served as a warehouse for the Swansea Old Brewery, a motor garage for S.T. Jones and a furniture showroom for Vernon Smith.
It is currently vacant.
In 1791, the architect John Nash was paid £48.17s.0d, for plans for a new gaol for Cardigan. James Rees was employed as the mason and Richard Oliver, the carpenter. Work was underway in 1793 when the new edifice was described as "a handsome pile of masonry", and Nash continued to pay visits. Completed in 1787, the building was described as "a masterpiece" with its complex of cell blocks, communal area, chapel, gaoler's house and inspection tower. The only drawback seemed to be the lack of a water supply.
In 1812, William Langdon, the original gaolkeeper, reported that a prisoner, Thomas Evans, had escaped. In 1817, a water pump was, at last, installed. Due to famine the gaol was full of starving beggars and debtors. In 1824, The House of Correction was enlarged to serve the whole county.
In 1827, a vagrant named William Andrews pleaded guilty to stealing some rags from a house at Aberporth, but in his defence pointed out that the clothes were fit for only a scarecrow or a tramp. He was found guilty, sentenced to death and hanged at the Gaol three days later.
In 1875, a prisoner escaped - only the second in the history of the Gaol - but was quickly recaptured. In 1877, the treadmill was abolished and, in 1878, following years of speculation, closure was announced. In 1880, it was sold for materials and building plots.
Stanley House was built on the site of the Governor's House for David Davies, Wine and Spirit Merchant, in 1880.
The central block became Cardigan Police Station in 1880.
John Price, convicted of murdering his wife, was the last person to be hanged there in 1885.
In 1894 it was offered for sale - a new Police Station was being built in the town, and it was purchased by Thomas Watkins of Rocklands.
In 1898, Highbury and Brooklands were being constructed. The Highbury is now a fine hotel.
In 1824, it was a meeting place for "Cwmrugwddion Aberteifi" - a Welsh language society. In 1847, it became a temporary Government barracks for the 77th Foot Regiment, and temporarily housed the Police Station and a Grammar School in the 1850's. Above all else, the property remained one of the principal hotels in the town with good stabling. Actor Gregory Peck paid a visit here in 1954.
Lots more to come. Watch this space.
For an insight into the history of Cardigan Castle you must read Glen Johnson's A History of Cardigan Castle, available at Books in Cardigan and other outlets.
