GUILDHALL TO BE REPAIRED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 20 February 1941, Page 4

GUILDHALL TO BE REPAIRED

IN NO WORSE CONDITION THAN IN 1666 WORK OF CLEARING IN PROGRESS lU.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] London, Feb. 18. Though the Guildhall suffered much damage in the recent big incendiary raid on London, reports which circulated at the same time to the effect that the historic buildings was destroyed have no foundation. Though surrounding buildings—the Alderman’s Court Room, the Council Chamber and the town clerk’s office—have largely disappeared, the walls of the magnificent banqueting hall still stand. Indeed, they may be said to be in no worse condition than after the Great Fire of 1666. The modern roof has been burnt, but another can be erected. The work of clearing the Guildhall is in progress, and Sir Giles GilbertScot, who has investigated the position generally in collaboration with the City Surveyor, is about to present a report to the Common Council. It is proposed to erect a flat-pitched steel roof covered with asphalt at a cost of £2OOO. Without anticipating the report, it may be said that generally the walls remain sound, and there should be no difficulty in dealing with them in such a way that an equally beautiful roof may be substituted. Precautions against further destruction in the Temple precincts were taken yesterday when Sir Patrick Hastings, treasurer of the Middle Temple, presided at a meeting of the Middle and Inner Temples which was held to discuss an extension of the fire guard system to bring it into line with the fire-fighting order. Well-known barristers, including a King’s Counsel, are among the many lawyers who are already taking duty nightly to guard the 1 buildings against fire-bombs.