Pembridge Amenity Trust

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Protecting the Scheduled Historic Buildings and Monuments of Pembridge. A Registered Charity No 1060265

Pembridge the Village - Pembridge has clearly seen many changes since its inception. The village pre-dates the Domesday book. A community has existed at this place for over 1000 years. At one point in its history the village exceeded Leominster in size and was an important centre of commerce during the mediaeval period. Following the Industrial Revolution, Pembridge appeared to "fall off the map" and economic activity declined. The village was left alone to continue its rural traditions in relative isolation and, as a consequence, much of its medieval character remained unspoiled.

Conservation of The Market Hall, Pembridge, Herefordshire.

A brief history of the Market Hall .

Pembridge was granted a charter for a market in 1240 by Henry de Penebruge. The present Market Hall dates from the beginning of the16th century and forms an important focal point within the centre of the village and has played a vital role in its history and that of the immediate locality. It is of an open plan, single-storey design, with a hipped roof supported on eight oak posts, and is a rare survival of its type in the region, as indicated by its Grade II* listing. Both the building and its setting within the marketplace form a key component of the Pembridge Conservation Area, contributing much to its special character and community identity. No work has been carried out on the building since 1927. A detailed study, carried out by Nick Joyce, architect and historical building advisor, in 2001 identified that it was in urgent need of repair and conservation.

It was clear that a substantial amount of money would be required to stabilise the Market Hall and preserve it for future generations. After much hard work by the Trust, funding up to £190,000 has been granted by the Heritage Lottery Fund, £13,292 by the Herefordshire Rivers Leader+ and £2,230 by Herefordshire County Council. Pembridge Amenity Trust will contribute 5% of all the eventual costs.

Trevor Hewett Architects of Hereford have been appointed project architects and work is due to start in January 2005. The project should be completed within 16 weeks. Marches Archaeology carried out a detailed, above ground survey of the structure during 2004 and, in 2003, Herefordshire Archaeology excavated part of the floor to establish it’s original construction.

Dendrochronology (tree ring dating) carried out by Dr Ian Tyers of Arcus Dendrochronology (picture right) in 2002 gives a date range for the building of 1502 to 1538. This suggests that the Market Hall is the oldest of it’s type in the country that is in regular use. Monthly Farmers Markets as well as other seasonal village activities are held here.

The building is listed Grade II*, and its Date of Listing is 16 October 1967. It had been a scheduled Ancient Monument since 1927, but was descheduled in 1997 when English Heritage sought to eradicate any statutory duplication within its existing site management. It also lies within Pembridge Conservation Area, which was designated in December 1974.

For more information please contact the secretary of the Pembridge Amenity Trust info@pembridgeamenitytrust.co.uk