Old Shire Hill and Court House, Castle Hill

Court House / Shire Hall (site of), Castle Street, Cambridge

History of old Court House, Cambridge

This was the site of the loggia-fronted Court House designed by T H Wyatt and D Brandon, built in 1841-3, Cambridgshire’s most lavish Early Victorian civic building according to Pevsner. It was demolished 1952-3.

---

1847 Romilly describes in his diary (July) the events surround the visit of the Queen to Cambridge. On the 5th ‘the Q &c went to the Concert at the S.H. to hear Alboni &c: Jenny Lind was not allowed to sing here.’

Romilly’s editor notes: among the other performers were Luigi Lablache, the Queen’s singing master, and the young Joachim who performed Mendelssohn’s violin concerto. The programme included two pieces by the conductor professor Walmisley, popular arias by Rossini, Mozart and Donizetti, overtures by Beethoven and Weber, and other favourites. Tickets were priced at 15 shillings and a guinea, and all profits were to go to Addenbrooke’s hospital.

---

1905 01 21

A serious charge has been brought against the trumpeters who, on the occasion of the Assize at Cambridge, blow a fanfare as the judge steps from his carriage at the Shire hall. They are accused of being unable to keep in tune and wailing as diversely as any pair of cats. I would not undertake to estimate their ability as musicians, but as a sort of variety turn they certainly take a high place. But the learned judge expressed himself highly pleased with the way they performed their duties. # 05 01 21

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. # 05 01 21.

1908 04 17

When the jury retired to consider their verdict at the Assize Court, Castle Hill, they were taken down a flight of cold stone steps into a narrow chamber of sordid aspect, dimly lit by three barred windows and furnished with two bare wooden forms. The Court does not want the retiring room made too comfortable, but there must have been times when they have made up their minds hastily to escape from that dungeon. Now a new room has been built, with a lavatory. But the court is still illuminated by gas and flooded with fumes. Silver-tongued barristers halt while the custodian, armed with his long pole, leans from the dock to light it. 08 04 17c

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 08 04 17c.

---

1913;

Mrs Green, hall-keeper

Ashley Tabrum. Clerk of the Peace for the County

---

Albert Mutimer was living here as County Bailiff in 1917. He was married to Elizabeth and had two sons, Walter and Sidney, who were killed in World War One. The family were living at 68 Union Road in 1911.

Walter, b 1891, had been working for Eaden Lilley’s when he joined the Cambridge Territorials. He was a sergeant in the 1st Battalion when he went to France in June 1916. In April 1917 while home on leave he married Ruth Eveline. On 16th January 1918 Walter was wounded. He died on 12th April 1918; his daughter was born on 7th February.

Sidney, b 1894, also enlisted into the 1st Battalion Cambridgeshire. He was killed in action on 26th September 1917.

---

1921 03 23

Assize court figures of Law, Justice, Mercy & Power to be removed – 21 03 23f, 21 03 30e

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 21 03 23f, 21 03 30e.

1922 01 04

Assize Court figures of Law, Justice, Mercy & Power to remain, had been removed 22 01 04c

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 22 01 04c.

1941 05 14

Assize Courts railings to be removed – 41 05 14

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 41 05 14.

1952 07 21

The whole of the structure of the 112-year-old courts of assize at the old Shire Hall, Castle Hill, is unsafe and liable to collapse at any time. Dry rot has been attacking the floors and has now spread up the walls and plaster and into the roof. The damage is said to be irreparable and it is virtually certain that the County Council will have to write off the building as a total loss. The Court House, built of brick and stone in the Italian style has a portico supported on columns and comprises two courts and a magistrates’ room from which three prisoners recently escaped by removing an iron grill over a window.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1952 07 21.

1952 07 28

One of the first judges to sit in the Shire Hall Courts, built between 1814 and 1844, Mr Justice Parke, complained about the ventilation in the Crown court. Bad ventilation is one of the factors that cause dry rot and it is possible that it has taken 107 years to come to the present condition. It could be smelt very plainly and if a knife was stuck into the wood it would go in up to the hilt in most places. It was unfortunate that they had decorated the building three years ago at considerable expense and no one knew about it. Coun. Dr Woodman said: “I hope the committee will consider the dry rot in the minds of the jury as well as in the walls of the court. You are packed like peas in a pod and with bad ventilation you get one thought”.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1952 07 28.

1952 08 09

The news that the roof and interior of the Shire Hall Courts on Castle Hill, Cambridge are in danger of collapse has drawn attention to the statues on top of the building. The figures represent Law – holding a book, Justice – drawn sword (scales are missing), Mercy and – holding chain – Power

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1952 08 09.

1952 12 05

Cambridge City Council are objecting to the County Council’s proposal to demolish the Shire Hall courts at present suffering from dry rot; their consent is needed as the building is scheduled as of special architectural or historic interest. Ald Wilding thought it was hardly necessary to demolish the building just because of some defects in the woodwork & Ald Taylor put forward a plan for preserving its very fine façade, but Coun George Edwards said the best thing would be to demolish it and have a new building erected in its place.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1952 12 05.

1953 01 21

Cambridge city council have asked the County not to demolish the old Assize Courts which are at present closed because of dry rot. As it is a building of special architectural interest further consideration should be given to its preservation. Dry rot does not necessarily involve the demolition of the whole structure of an affected building – none of the Colleges have had to demolish their buildings, though many of them have been affected from time to time. But the County says there is no assurance that further infection could be prevented. They intend to re-erect the façade of the building elsewhere

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1953 01 21.

1953 03 02

“Why not let the façade of the Assize Courts on Castle Hill be used as a ‘Marble Arch’ for the new Spine Relief Road” asked the Mayor of Cambridge during discussions on its removal. The City Council had been very concerned about its preservation but to dismantle and remake it would cost £12,000 and architects said it could not be placed on the new building. It was a secondary monument and not old enough to be preserved, being built in 1840. But the stone figures on the roof were to be saved.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1953 03 02.

1953 04 13

The Cambridgeshire Divisional Magistrates Court sat for the last time in the old Shire Hall Courts, where justice has been meted out for over 100 years. It is just over eight months since it was found that the building was infested with dry rot and since then all courts, save the County Bench, have been accommodated in the Guildhall. Since then there have been many arguments in the County Council Chamber but the only solution they could find was that the building would have to be demolished.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1953 04 13.

1953 04 25

Does anybody want the façade of the Old Shire Hall, which is being demolished? The County Council has asked the City Council of they would like it, but the reply is ‘No, thank you’. It will be interesting so see if the County offers it elsewhere. Erection of new street lighting on the main roads is proceeding apace and is to be extended to Queen’s Road, better known as ‘The Backs’. This new lighting should add to the attractiveness of this famous beauty spot.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1953 04 25.

1953 06 10

Sir – the Shire Hall assize courts were closed on my order in July last year because the structure had become dangerous. Dry rot had been rampant for at least 50 years and the improvised repairs had done nothing to eliminate it. During the work of demolition fragments of newspapers dated 1922 and 1925 have been found that were left by workmen repairing the dry rot in those days. The council had to decide whether to save the bare walls of the old building and rebuild the roof and the whole of the interior, or to demolish it. The extent of the damage is now clearly revealed and confirms the necessity of demolition – Wilfrid Wingate, County Architect.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1953 06 10.

1953 11 02

The new Shire Hall court will not be an ‘extravagant’ but ‘a fine utility’ building, councillors were assured. They did not want panelling in every room and expensive carpets on the floor. Some wanted to build the new Court with an open frontage to the street, but it could not be done, as the site was not big enough. If they pulled down the existing police station and played ‘Old Harry’ it might be possible but on one side is the Castle Mound and there would be trouble galore they interfered with this.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1953 11 02.

1954 11 01

The old Shire Hall Assize courts no longer existed; it had been pulled down. That could not be altered; it was down and a new one had to be built, councillors were told. The Judges appreciate the temporary accommodation but occasionally inquire when the Assizes are expected to be held once more in the re-built Courts; they might get tired of waiting for them. We did not want to lose Cambridge as an Assize town. A proposal to defer their erection for two years was withdrawn but tenders will not be submitted for a year.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1954 11 01.

1954 03 01

County councillors voted to proceed with their original plan for the new Shire Hall courts building. They also need to get their Town Planning people transferred from Hobson Street and must have further accommodation for the County Library, which is one of the finest – if not the finest – in England. Suggestions for putting another floor on the present Shire Hall would never be satisfactory. Services would be upset for about two years, the whole of the heating apparatus would have to be altered and it would cost nearly £70,000. There were plans for the basement to be used as offices but to put clerks down there would be like putting them in prison.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1954 03 01.

1954 03 15

A labourer who figured in a daring escape from the cells beneath Cambridge Shire Hall courts two years ago was arrested in London. He made his escape with two other men sentenced for housebreaking. In their getaway from the Shire Hall Courts – since demolished – the men forced up a grating weighing about one-and-a-half hundredweight in a nine-feet high ceiling near the detention room in which they had been placed pending their removal to Bedford Prison. Through this they climbed into the yard outside. The grating was not cemented down but its great weight and height above the floor made the lifting of it a considerable feat.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1954 03 15.

1954 07 17

There were strong protests at plans for new offices at Shire Hall Cambridge. The new building would contain Assize and Quarter Sessions courts, offices and accommodation for the County Library. The courts at Linton, Caxton, Melbourn and Bottisham were ‘shockers’, housed in old police stations and the magistrates would be only too happy to do their work in an up-to-date building. Architects had strongly advised against cheese-pairing costs of the assembly hall: Cambridge’s lovely college buildings had been the best and had stood the test of time and the costs of labour and materials were rising. But a new plan for one-tier local government might mean the doom of County Councils and the scheme should be deferred.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1954 07 17.

1954 07 31

Cambridge city council attacked the County Council’s cavalier attitude over their grandiose scheme for the replacement of the demolished Shire Hall Courts on Castle Hill. They can no longer tolerate the attitude of a powerful section of the County Council who seem bent on pursuing their own course with all the insensibility of a bureaucratic bulldozer. The Government has indicated it is likely to introduce Local Government reform and it is foolhardy to proceed with a scheme for more office accommodation when certain functions might transfer to the City Council and thus make the extra offices unnecessary. City residents provide 75 per cent of the county rate and should have a fair say in any such scheme.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 1954 07 31.

1956 02 25

Shire hall court tenders deferred – 56 02 25a, 56 02 26a & c

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 56 02 25a, 56 02 26a & c.

1956 03 30

If the number of cars increases motorists won’t be able to get in to Cambridge very easily because of all the stationary cars cluttering up the streets and the whole problem of parking is extremely frustrating. It is time to get tough. If we must set up car parks outside the city and run the people in by special buses then we mustn’t hesitate. But the land once occupied by the old Shire Hall courts on Castle Hill would make a good site for a multi-deck car park. 56 03 30b

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 56 03 30b.

1962 08 18

Site of old Shire Hall courts cleverly landscaped to hide the car park which lies in front of trees – 62 08 18

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 62 08 18.

1964 06 02

Cambridgeshire County Council is anxious to buy compulsory some land at Castle Hill, including that occupied by the Sir Isaac Newton public house, for their new assize courts building scheme. They also want a private house in Gloucester Street and a cycle store. Much of the other land between Gloucester Street corner and the county police headquarters has already been acquired for the court project permission for which has been given after a delay of several years. Work should start this year. 64 06 02a

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 64 06 02a.

1964 09 15

The first stage of Cambridge’s Inner Relief Road would comprise twin-carriageways starting with a roundabout at Murkett’s Corner, on the junction of Huntingdon and Histon Roads. The planned road goes southward through the Rex Cinema site, leaving space for the proposed law courts near Shire Hall. As it approaches Chesterton Road there will be a flyover to take the main traffic flow over a roundabout. Then there would be a new bridge over the Cam before it crosses Jesus Green parallel to Park Parade. A subway will give access under the road to Jesus Green. 64 09 15

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Castle End Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, ref. 64 09 15.