The Wilford Archive
The Great Hall Restoration
The major restoration of the Hall took place during the period 1948 to 1951
prior to that, the Hall in general and the Great Hall in particular were in a very dilapidated state – see below. Was this one of the first lunches/dinners to be held in the restored Hall? Certainly the Hall looks to be beautifully decorated. Why the Printers Lunch? Bernard Johnson of Ben Johnson – the famous York printers – was a member of Merchant Taylors and one of those heading the restoration work.
Compare the above with the photo of the Hall in its
dilapidated state, taken in about 1940
As can be seen from the photo:
• the floor predates the new oak floor installed in 1961
• there is no carpet,
• the chandeliers are the early brass chandeliers, replaced by three new large chandeliers in 1979,
• there is no concealed lighting along the top of the panelling, and
• the Drapers Coat of Arms over the fireplace had yet to undergo the removal of the three coats of paint – undertaken in 1978.
Herbert Harrowell, who became the Clerk to MT in 1935, was the driving force behind the restoration of the Hall, as recognised by the plaque in the Hall’s Entrance Hall.
GAW 20/3/22