The restoration work at Shire Hall is making good progress the Secretary of the Shire Hall Stewards said this week.

Barbara Wright is pleased with the developments:

"We have all watched in wonder as the scaffolding has encased the Shire Hall, the tin roof is expected to be in place during the next two weeks, with the completion of the scaffold work after Christmas.

"During the internal investigations a hidden door was found in the position required for a lift entrance.  The door, with panelled surround, was at one time the entrance in Borough Court, originally one of the three Court rooms in the building, later to become Monmouth Library, then later in 1994 the Community room. John Hanmer, the Linford Site Project Manager, said that the door and panelling will be packed and stored with all the doors in the building.

  "The decision regarding the future repositioning of the hidden door will be taken at a later date.

"A monthly record is being kept, of the progress of the work during the renovation of the Shire Hall.

"During October the work of protecting the historic features of the building took place. The flag stones, cobbles and floor boards were covered with boarding. The Victorian Post Box was originally planned to be removed and stored, because this may have caused damage to the cobbles and the Post Box, it has remained in position safely packed in a wooden box.

"Under the arches the flagstone in the area of the proposed glass lobby were removed and numbered for storage, ready to be returned after under-floor heating is installed.

"The staircases and the Court room furniture have been covered with sheeting and boxed in with wood for protection during the internal renovations.

"Doors as seen in the Council chamber are being removed, packed and stored for protection.

"Partition walls have been removed opening up the area under the stone stairs on the ground floor, and straw was used as insulation in the wall separating the Court from the Probation room, that once had tiered seating for the public to watch the Court proceedings.

"We are available to give a monthly update of photos showing the work, to groups and organisations in a wide area of Monmouthshire.  Anyone who'd like us to give them a presentation should phone 01600 772 686."