The doors to Sale Town Hall will be thrown open in celebration, to the sound of bagpipes on Sunday 15 November 2015, just ahead of the building’s centenary anniversary on Friday, 4 December.
With a town crier, talks, photography through the decades and fantastic exhibitions, together with the Mayor of Trafford John Holden and Deputy Mayor of Trafford Judith Lloyd present, there promises to be something for everyone.
Visitors will be welcomed by Council staff including Trafford’s Superintendent Registrar, Suzanne Fell and members of her team, local volunteers and councillors, all keen to make sure everyone enjoys a day to remember.
Couples starting to plan their wedding will have plenty to interest them, as the Council Chambers will be transformed, with displays of vintage wedding dresses and local businesses available to provide information about the wedding services they could provide.
The interest won’t just be inside the building, outside there will be a fire engine, vintage wedding car and a VW wedding camper van on display, for those looking for something slightly different on their wedding day.
With such beautiful surroundings, Suzanne Fell said it is no wonder demand from couples looking to get married in the regal splendour of Sale Town Hall’s wedding suite is high.
“It is fantastic to be hosting this centenary open day, one which provides us with an excellent opportunity to show couples just what Sale Town Hall has to offer them.
We always do everything possible to accommodate the wishes and requests of all those getting married here, to help make their ceremony as memorable and personal to them as possible.
The open day provides them with the chance to not only find out what we can offer them, but just how Sale Town Hall has impacted on the local area over the past 100 years.”
Executive Member for Communities and Partnerships, Cllr John Lamb said: “This open day promises to be an outstanding celebration and will provide an amazing insight into the building and the town’s past, as well as a platform to demonstrate what it still has to offer.
I am excited to see so many elements coming together to produce such a wide variety of talks, exhibitions, fun and opportunities for people to look once again at this fantastic building, how it has helped shape the local area and the important role it continues to play today.”
During the day in the Mayor’s Parlour the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be available to greet visitors and help them find out more about the Mayor’s role as the Borough’s First Citizen. There will also be a chance for people to have their photo taken with the Mayor.
The Wedding Room will host a series of four talks through the day. The scheduling of these is as follows:
11.30am The Blitzing of Sale – the Town Hall was bombed 75 years ago – George Cogswell.
12.30pm The History of Sale – Pat Coulburn
1.30pm JP Joule – Famous resident of Sale – David Ward
2.30pm The History of the Bridgewater Canal – Tom Everett
Trafford Local Studies will also have an exhibition on Sale Town Hall displaying on the day.
Also within the Wedding Suite will be displays showing famous people born or who lived in Sale, together with historical photographs showing how the town has changed.
As well as the displays and local businesses, local schools and young people will bring the Council Chambers to life with the sound of music and songs from the past 100 years.
Younger visitors and families will be able to take part in the Sale Town Hall trail, which promises to be fun and entertaining.
Refreshments will be available to buy in Waterside Gallery Bar, where the Mayor will lead a toast to 100 years of Sale Town Hall at 3.30pm.
