Heritage Open Days at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls
Lancaster City Council is running free guided tours of Lancaster and Morecambe's town halls as part of this year's programme of Heritage Open Days (September 13 and 14).
Lancaster City Council is running free guided tours of Lancaster and Morecambe's town halls as part of this year's programme of Heritage Open Days (September 13 and 14).
Visitors to the two buildings will be able to explore parts which are normally out of bounds or rarely available to view.
In Lancaster these include:
* The imposing Council Chamber with the grand Mayor's chair.
* The Mayor’s Parlour with the fine collection of civic silver and Gillow furniture including the magnificent centrifugal table.
* The majestic Ashton Hall with its grand concert organ and the fine display of heraldic art on the ceiling.
* The former Magistrate’s Court Room complete with the original furniture. From the prisoner’s dock visitors will be “sent down” to view the atmospheric subterranean police cells, which in 1935 held Lancaster’s notorious double murderer, Dr Buck Ruxton.
Over at Morecambe visitors will have the chance to discover many hidden treasures including a mosaic of the Morecambe Coat of Arms at the foot of the impressive staircase, the Scroll of the College of Heralds and the Morecambe Mace.
The book of Honorary Freemen, which includes the admission of 1930-40s comedian Albert Modley, will also be available for viewing.
Morecambe Town Hall is also home of the ship's bell of HMS Morecambe Bay which is often visited and rung by the relatives of those who served on her.
Tours of Lancaster Town Hall take place at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Tours of Morecambe Town hall take place at 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4pm.
Admission is by ticket only. They are available in advance from Lancaster Town Hall Customer Service Centre for the Lancaster tour or Morecambe Town Hall Customer Service Centre for the Morecambe tour.
All tours can be pre-booked and tickets will be issued in advance (to be collected).
They always prove to be very popular so book now to secure your place.
For more information before the weekend of September 13/14 telephone 01524 582491.
For information during the weekend telephone 01524 582565 or 01524 582549.
For details of other events taking place in the district visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Date Updated: 19/03/09