Preston pillars resurrected at wedding orangery
A forgotten part of a Lancashire city's history is being revitalised in an orangery.
The six giant pillars were rescued from Preston's old Public Hall, which was once attached to the Corn Exchange in Lune Street.
The historic venue stood in Preston for 165 years before being demolished in 1989.
Famous for its sprung floor, it played host to the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Franz Lizst, Anna Pavlova and a controversial Fascist rally organised by Sir Oswald Mosley in 1934.
But Janet Simpson, who regularly danced at the hall, refused to let that history die and bought its well-known cream pillars.
The hotel proprietor, who runs the Gibbon Bridge Hotel in Chipping, hopes they will add a special flavour to a new orangery she is building to host weddings.
It is thought to be the only "wedding orangery" in Lancashire.
She said: "I bought the pillars when the hall was pulled down.
"I wanted them as I thought it would be such a shame for them to be demolished.
"The hall was special. It had a wonderful spring floor for dancing.
"I used to dance there doing a bit of anything, including rock and roll and going to the farmers' ball dance. I also went to see Vera Lynn perform there in the sixties.
"The orangeries are quite popular now – I will be growing oranges.
It's an old thing to do from time gone before."
Edward Carson, owner of Martin Edwards builders' merchants in Bamber Bridge, is helping to restore the pillars after he helped rescue them 21 years ago.
He said: "We originally bought them when we were involved in the demolition. It was a big job. They are quite ornate but are nothing too over-the-top."
Aidan Turner-Bishop, chairman of the Preston and South Ribble Civic Trust, said: "The Public Hall will evoke many memories for older readers as it was the place, even until the age of the Beatles, who played there in their early days, where boys danced with girls.
"Many famous artistes performed there such as Franz Lizst and Anna Pavlova.
"It even had a Fascist rally there in 1934 addressed by Oswald Mosley. I suspect that Public Hall souvenirs and memories are squirreled away in many homes."
Preston man Brian Bell, who had his own film company for many years, filmed the demolition of the building.
>> The last days of Preston's Public Hall
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Friday 03 September 2010
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