IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Clements Place, TRING, HP23 6AD

The building to the left of this view with the somewhat ostentatious facade, is Tring's Victoria Hall (which for a short time in its history served as a pickle factory). Its very pleasant little auditorium is disadvantaged by a small stage and poor dressing room facilities. The building is one of architect William Huckvale's (I think less successful) creations, of which numerous examples grace the Town. The building in the centre of this view is the recently opened (and nicely appointed) 'Akeman' wine bar and restaurant.

"Victoria Hall was built on the site of "The Assembly Rooms" in 1886 as a purpose built dance hall. The architect Mr William Huckvale designed it in the Italian Renaissance style. Victoria Hall is situated in the town centre of Tring, close to the main car parks." - quoted from this http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/leisure-culture/venues-for-hire/victoria-hall.

This view of Akeman Street is from the front of the Akeman Street Baptist Church Image . See also. . . . Image; Image; Image; Image; Image; Image

The Victoria Hall in Akeman Street, erected in 1886 to a design by local architect William Huckvale (1848-1936), set out as in life as a playhouse, failed, and has since had a varied career, serving out part of its time as a pickle factory. Today it houses council offices and provides function rooms. The Hall has a small, but tastefully refurbished auditorium (I understand this to be 36 ft. by 70 ft with seating for up to 500), with a good acoustic, but its small stage and lack of adjacent dressing rooms limit its use for concerts and other entertainments - a great pity. This is another of Huckvale's frontages that doesn't work for me (the Rose & Crown and Zoological Museum being other examples). The stone embellishments (including two orders of Italianate pilasters) don't sit comfortably with the red brickwork (capped by chimney stacks) and give the Hall a pretentious appearance that is out of context with its role and the neighbouring architecture. And (it seems quite naturally in our age) all is at any rate spoiled by the application of a crude sign (on the left of the porch) and a clutter of electrical fittings, not least of which being the ubiquitous burglar alarm.

The early 19C house on the left has a room above the entrance to Clement Place. It is listed, Grade II.

This view of Akeman Street is from the front of the Akeman Street Baptist Church Image . . . . Image; Image; Image; Image; Image; Image

The Market House houses council offices and the Council Chamber. Designed by architect William Huckvale, this strikingly attractive building was opened in 1900. See also . . . . Image; Image; Image; Image; Image; Image

This photograph was taken at the junction of Tring High Street and Akeman Street, the Tring Zoological Museum http://www.nhm.ac.uk/tring/index.html being at the far end of the latter. The Museum, created by Walter Rothschild at the end of the 19th Century and now a part of the Natural History Museum http://www.nhm.ac.uk/ is well worth a visit. See also . . . . Image; Image; Image; Image; Image

This fine Georgian building in Akeman Street is one of Tring's Baptist churches - surprisingly perhaps for a town of about 12,000 population it has two others, one very nearby on the High Street, the other at New Mill (see Image]) The one pictured here has a tablet which can be seen over the door; this proudly proclaims (capitals & abbreviation as per tablet): ERECTED 41 by 35 ft 1808 REBUILT 51ft SQRE 1832

This is a pretty similar photo to the one I took four years ago (Image]) and is perhaps therefore somewhat superfluous - even the weather conditions are almost identical. But here it is anyway, keen eyed observers may be able to discern a few changes. (See the other linked image for more information). Curiously, the building appears to be wearing a witch's hat !