Newsletter - Issue 19

SALTASH GUILDHALL

The building was erected in 1775 as a Market House, incorporating a first-floor assembly room known as the Long Room. It replaced an earlier market house on the same site. Saltash Corporation designated the Long Room as its Guildhall in 1841. The previous Guildhall was small and inconvenient; the Essa Club now occupies its site .

Originally, the ground floor of the building was open to Fore Street, having a granite colonnade, and was used as a pannier market until the end of the 19th century. In addition to its main functions, at various periods the building also accommodated a Mechanics' Institute and Library, a soup kitchen, a fire station and a cinema.

The ground floor was enclosed in 1910, leaving the granite columns partially visible externally. In 1924 the Guildhall was partly rebuilt, re-roofed and extensively renovated. It was officially listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest in 1952 and is now in the Grade II category.

Mr. C.J. Squires

'6' Anniversaries

Here are some events in Saltash history which occurred when the final digit of the year was 6, as in 1996.

1086 - Domesday Book records that the Manor of Trematon was held by Reginald de Valletort, and makes the earliest reference to Trematon Castle, then newly constructed, but in a more primitive form than we see today.

1356 - William Lenche, who fought at the Battle of Poitiers under the command of the Black Prince, Duke of Cornwall, granted Saltash Ferry rights for life.

1646 - Ince Castle surrendered to Parliamentary forces and Royalist troops withdrew from Saltash as the Civil War came to an end.

1696 - Two large maces, hallmarked for this year, presented to the Borough of Saltash by Francis Buller of Shillingham, then one of the Members of Parliament for Saltash.

1716 - John Ford elected Mayor of Saltash but refused to serve and was fined.

1726 - Buller almshouses erected at Burraton Coombe.

1786 - Entries in the St. Stephens Church vestry minute books commenced.

1796 - A bicentenary. This year saw the birth of Saltash's most notable lady, Ann Glanville. Her expartise as a champion rower, and her physical strength, emanated from years of handling the market boats, carrying goods to and from Dock (later Devonport).
Frigate "Amphion" accidentally blown up off Saltash with loss of 300 lives.

1846 - Forder Chapel erected.

1866 - The third steam-driven ferry-boat came into service, replacing the vessal which had sunk the previous year. Built by Plymouth Foundry Co., the new boat utilised the engines salvaged from its predecessor.

1876 - The three arched bridge, spanning the Lynher near the inn at Notter, was replaced, but not in the same position. A third bridge to carry traffic on the new A38 was opened in 1961.

1886 - New charter granted to Saltash under the Municipal Corporation Act. Our Court of Quarter Sessions and Office of Recorder were abolished, the Borough Council became the urban sanitary authority and the right to collect tolls from vessels entering Plymouth Sound ceased.
The election of councillors by ballot was introduced.

1896 - Captain Henry Jackson became the first Briton to use radio for practical communication, making a series of pioneering transmissions from the R.N. Torpedo School aboard H.M.S. Defiance, stationed in the Lynher estuary off Wearde Quay.

1926 - To improve the reliability of the fresh water supply to the higher parts of the Saltash town area, a water storage container, capable of holding 35000 gallons, was erected at Longstone. Popularly known as the "green tank", it was replaced by another of 80000 gallons capacity in 1960. Demolished in 1979.

1936 - Building of Warfelton Crescent commenced.
Water storage tank erected at Cross Park. Removed in 1964.

1946 - Building of Alamein Road estate commenced.

1966 - Plymouth Brethren Chapel at Burraton rebuilt.

1976 - Saltash Y.M.C.A. closed. Building demolished in 1981.

1986 - In this year the event took place which enables you to have the pleasure of reading this newsletter. Saltash Heritage was born in April, so our first decade is almost complete.

David Coles

Saltash Heritage, 17 Lower Fore Street, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6JQ --- Tel: 01752 848466 --- Email: info@saltash-heritage.org.uk --- Registered Charity No. 297525