The history of Ossett Town Hall

Ossett Town Hall officially opened in June 1908. Ruth Nettleton of Ossett Historical Society explains why it was built.

In 1890 Ossett became a Borough. Council meetings were held in the Temperance Hall, rates were collected and education was organised from the offices in New Street and the council meet in the Technical School. The Choral Society which was flourishing held it's concerts in the Wesleyan School which was used as both Sunday School and weekday school. On the day of the concert the school had to be closed so that chairs could be brought in from other premises and arranged for the evening performance.

A site purchased in Bank Street, at the corner of Illingworth Street did not meet government approval and so no funds were forthcoming. The Grammar School building in the Market Place was below standard and had occurred a bad report from the inspectors. Other properties to the north and east were lined up for purchase, An outbreak of smallpox at Flushdyke spread rapidly, through the immediate area. The source was night soil exported from Dewsbury by rail to Flushdyke Station and spread on the fields. The smallpox hospitals on Storrs Hill could note cope. Tented accommodation was erected and Park House was purchased. Once the epidemic was controlled, Park House was no longer required for medical purposes. It was however suitable for conversion into a school and this assisted in the clearance of the Market Place site.

Tenders were put out for the design of the town hall and the contract was awarded to A.W Hanstock & Sons of Batley. The first part of the Town Hall to be completed was the Public Hall, so it was appropriate that the first event to be held in the building was a grand choral concert in 1907. London soloists were hired and the orchestra included members of the Halle. The official opening was in June 1908 and from that point all Borough Council meetings were together under one roof. Ossett now had a focal point. Celebratory events like coronations and jubilees were centred on platforms erected in front of the main entrance. Dances were a big feature of the events held in the Public Hall, the weekly ones being preceded by whist drives.

This handsome building both inside and out was a great asset to Ossett and still remains to be.