A look behind the scaffolding at South Shields Town Hall as restoration work takes place
Here’s a look at the restoration works currently taking place at South Shields Town Hall.
A South Tyneside councillor has shared views from the top of South Shields Town Hall in addition to a look at the clock tower restoration works behind the scaffolding.
The scaffolding has been in place at South Shields Town Hall since August this year so essential maintenance work on the historic clock tower can be completed.
The project looks to ensure the long-term future of the almost 120-year-old historic structure, which forms part of the Grade II listed Town Hall.
The work will include repairs of the tower’s bell hammers, support beams and clock faces.
Last week Councillor Steve Cain had the opportunity to go to the top of the scaffolding shrouded tower and he has shared photos of the clock faces and famous copper ship weather vane to his Facebook page.
He said: “The brickwork needs some restoration. The clock faces were starting to rot out on the inside and there was a fear they might have fallen out.
“I was so excited a week before, you know, getting the opportunity to go up and actually see it. It really is so detailed.”
Cllr Cain said the weather vane that sits on top of the building, shaped like a ship, was smaller than he originally thought
He said: “That ship has been on the top of there for 116 years.
“It’s been down a couple of times for refurbishment and cleaning but it still looks superb condition.”
“Even grandfathers were coming up to me and saying, ‘oh, I was always told you could get six people in that ship.’”
He said he is pleased to see the restoration works underway and is excited to see the results.
Cllr Cain said: “I think it was a necessity to get up there and do something, if you think about it, it sits up there year after year in the freezing cold.”
The local authority also previously reassured the borough’s residents that there will be no impact on access at South Shields Town Hall while the project is underway.