Barrett Browning Institute

The History

The Barrett Browning Institute was opened on 16 January 1896. It was named in honour of the poet Elizabeth BARRETT BROWNING, who spent part of her youth at Hope End in the parish of Ledbury. Her father, John MOULTON BARRETT, has a memorial in Ledbury parish church. Elizabeth married the poet Robert BROWNING who died in 1889. The national mourning for the poet prompted the naming of the Institute in honour of his wife.

It was designed by the Ipswich architect Brightwen BINYON, who won a competition, beating 44 other designs. It was built by Ledbury builder George HILL. Although Niklaus PEVESNER was not impressed by its style, which attempts to echo the glories of the timber-framed Market House opposite, it has served Ledbury well since 1896. The Ledbury Reading Room moved from its premises in Church Lane into the ground floor of the building as soon as it was completed. In 1938 it became a Public Library, opened on 11 November by local-born Poet Laureate John MASEFIELD. The upper rooms were used for meetings and lectures.

Chronological extracts from Ledbury TILLEY's Almanacks - Photographs & Memories

Pre 1894

Lower Cross junction of Bye Street

Mock Up of the Tower in High Street

Under Construction

1896

January 16 On the afternoon the Barrett-Browning Memorial Institute, at the Lower Cross, was formally opened in the presence of a large number of the elite of the neighbourhood by Mr. Rider HAGGARD, Mrs. STEPHENS, wife of Mr. Chas. W. STEPHENS, presenting him with a hand-somely-worked gold key, which bore on the one side an enamelled picture of the Institute and Mr. HAGGARD's crest, and on the other a suitable inscription.

November 25 Mrs. W. RUSSELL, of the Woodlands, died at the age of 57 years. By her will the deceased made several munificent bequests to Ledbury, including £100 to the Ledbury Reading Room. It will be remembered that she presented the four-dial clock to the Barrett Browning Memorial Clock Tower.

1897

October 4 at the Urban Council meeting it was decided that the Institute clock should be lighted every night at a cost of £12 per annum.

Pre 1904

Postcard View

1905

View from the Market House

1909

View from High Street

1950s

View from the shops in High Street

1960s

View from near the Bowling Green

1976

From Dog Hill after a snowfall

The clock was weight driven, a box in the corner top to bottom. Wound by Len LEWIS (ticker), also called Water Len ( looked after Massington Pumping Station ).

2014 - 3d by Point Cloud

Amazing 3 d film of the Barrett Browning Institute

‹ ‹ Barrett Browning Institute

---