Explore the history around Kendal Town Hall

Explore the history around Kendal Town Hall. . The present Town Hall stands on the site of the old White Hall, a cloth exchange for Kendal's thriving woollen trade. In 1825, this was replaced by the White Hall Assembly Rooms, designed by Kendal's famous architect, Francis Webster. These were adapted in 1859 by Francis's son George Webster to become the new Town Hall, with a Courtroom and lock-up cells in the basement, which later became the Police Station. The building had a cupola at first which was replaced with a clock tower, the clock faces lit by gas., In 1893, the building was enlarged and given a new tower with the generous contribution of £7,000 from Alderman William Bindloss and his wife Agnes. They also provided the carillon of bells which still play old folk tunes at 3-hourly intervals, a different tune on each day. Alderman Bindloss is commemorated in a room in the Town Hall named after him, and a large carved letter 'B' under the clock face., Over the door is Kendal's coat of arms, consisting of a quartered shield with bale hooks (for lifting the heavy bales of wool) and teasels (which were used to bring up the nap on the finished cloth), and Kendal's motto 'Pannus Mihi Panis', which means 'Wool (or cloth) is my Bread.', The well-worn lump of stone outside the Town Hall is all that is left of the ancient Market Cross, which stood in the middle of Stricklandgate until 1765. It was then moved more than once in the Market Place, before being moved for the last time to its present position. It was once known as the 'Bellman's stone' but, more usually, as the Call (Cauld) Stone., From it, official announcements and proclamations were made; the Quaker, George Fox, preached from it in 1652, and distances along Kendal's high roods were measured from it. The accessions of Edward VIII, George VI and our present Queen Elizabeth were proclaimed from its present site., Kendal Mint Cake is Kendal's most famous product. It was first created by Joseph Wiper, but Quiggins, Wilsons and Romneys also set up in business and are producing it to this day. It is now an essential item for explorers and athletes, but it was first taken to the Antarctic by the Shackleton expedition of 1914. Most memorably of all, it was enjoyed by Sherpa Tensing and Edmund Hillary when they conquered Everest in 1953 and "sat in the snow, looked at the country below and nibbled Kendal Mint Cake, easily the most popular item on our high altitude rations our only criticism was that we didn't have enough of it"., Postman Pat, the famous children's character, was born in 1978 at 32 Greenside, Kendal, where his author, John Cunliffe, lived. John was a teacher at a Kendal school and, inspired by the little sub post office near his home, he went on to imagine Greendole and Mrs. Goggins and all the adventures which followed., Photograph Captions , The large carved "B" which commemorates William Bindloss., The 'Miles Thompson' was built as a public wash-house and baths in 1864., Looking towards the Town Hall, decorated for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897., In the 19th century Kendal was more famous for snuff than wool or shoemaking., Kendal Mint Cake is Kendal's most famous product, first created by Joseph Wiper., Procession to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.