MADAM,
I feel sorry for the problems the Council are having with the Shire Hall.
In the early sixties as everyone knows a fire destroyed the market building at the Beacon Office in Priory Street. The Borough Council at that time were anxious to rebuild with a modern interior whilst keeping the character of the outside. After much discussion a London architect drew up the plans. These consisted of a new post office, museum, a large library and a cafe.
The library at that time was very inadequate and was housed upstairs in the Shire Hall. Monmouthshire County Council agreed to lease this new library for the town and county district. A few days before the lease was to be signed, I had an urgent phone call from the Town Clerk, Mr Roy Wallis.
At that time in 1965 I was the Borough Mayor and was very anxious to do my best.
I was informed by the Town Clerk that a letter, from the County Council, had arrived stating that unless the Town Council took over the Shire Hall the County Council would not sign the lease for the new library!
In those days Monmouth was by no means a rich town with no private estates or few, for income. So there was no way we could take on this responsibility.
An extraordinary council meeting was held and it was decided not to give in to blackmail.
The result was Monmouth did not get its library, which had to be used as offices, for many years until the Rolls Hall was converted.
So I can understand the worries of the Council and hope their dealings with the County Council will be more honourable than in the past.
Christine Smith
Dixton Road,
Monmouth