 The Hall 
A Sad But Beautiful Place
View Map
Recommendation added: 24/10/2006 01:04
By: dewberry (YSUK rating +702)dewberry has been thanked 4 times for this contribution
"A little known place of interest in Birmingham City Centre is the Hall of Memory, built in the 1920's to pay homage to the 12,320 Brummies who died during World War I.
The memorial building itself is very small stone structure topped with a dome, which makes it really stand out against the backdrop of modern day Birmingham. The Hall is pure white, built from Portland Stone shipped in especially for this important memorial. The Hall of Memory reminds me of The White House in a way, being that same beautiful colour with a definite Art Deco feel to the architecture.
Positioned outside the building are four bronze statues; figureheads to represent the Army, Navy, Royal Air Force and Women's Services to the war effort. These sculptures are worth a visit by themselves, they really are the finishing touch to the exterior of this beautiful building. This area of the City Centre has lots of bronze statues commemorating important historical figures, but these at the Hall are particularly haunting as you're well aware that you're looking at the representation of lots of lives lost in past wars. They're beautifully rendered with accurate proportions and detailed features, Birmingham sculptor Albert Toft did the City proud with this work.
When you enter the Hall through the wide ornate door, you'll probably be surprised how large the interior seems compared to the small size of the outside. It's by no means a huge space, but the term 'size is deceptive' seems to have been coined for this building! The inside is softly lit by wall sconces and this detracts from the harshness of the stone walls and floor.
Three elaborate panels are displayed in the Hall by local artist, William Bloye. These are stunning wooden sculptures which depict the three main events in a soldier's military life – 'The Call', 'Front Line' and 'Return'. The panels are beautiful and just by looking (with my untrained eye) I can see the craftsmanship which went into creating these works of art. I do believe that having a local man create these panels was a brilliant move as he would have felt more deeply about Birmingham's lost soldiers than would an artist from further afield.
Some of the windows of the Hall are stained glass, beautiful pieces of work which depict religious symbols and scenes from the Great War. The effect inside the Hall when the sunlight is pouring through these windows is amazing, it gives the sombre room a lighter appearance.
The most poignant aspect of the Hall of Memory is the Book of Remembrance which is housed on an ornate dais in the centre of the room. There is consistently a book here, with one leather bound book replacing another identical one as soon as it is filled. It's sad to read some of the entries; particularly the ones written in an obviously old female hand and can only refer to a lost sweetheart. Sometimes previous Remembrance books are displayed around the Hall, although this is usually reserved for special occasions such as Poppy Day.
There are always poppy wreathes laid out inside the Hall, and with Poppy Day coming up on the 11th November I can imagine the abundance of these pretty red flowers which will be visible during that week. They do, of course, have a sad and serious task to perform each Poppy Day with veterans and visiting dignitaries all laying wreathes outside the Hall. These are all moved inside after the memorial ceremony giving the Hall quite literally a carpet of poppies.
Additions to the main building have been made over the years to remember Brummies who didn't make it home in more recent wars. World War II obviously has a large memorial along with the Korea, Vietnam and the Falklands Wars. I imagine the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will soon be commemorated in the same manner.
The Hall of Memory is located in a pretty area of the City Centre, having Baskerville House, the Registry Office and a theatre in its backdrop. The Hall stands out because it's so petite and attractive; there's a small street fountain and water feature directly behind it and a lovely lawn area in front – neither of these things are directly attributed to the Hall but they make for a beautiful setting for such a gorgeous little attraction.
Entrance is absolutely free and you can drop into the Hall of Memory any Weekday between 10am and 4pm, including on Poppy Day when the ceremony and wreath laying is open to all. There's nothing so tacky as a gift shop in what is basically a place to come and remember the dead, although you can buy postcards of the Hall from a local newsagents. You're welcome to take photographs inside, which you'll want to do as soon as you get your first glimpse of the stained glass windows!
The Hall is, unfortunately, not well equipped to receive disabled visitors. People with mobility problems could, with effort, manage the three or four steps leading into the Hall but wheelchair users will have a problem. Once inside it's easy to manoeuvre around because of the open space throughout the one roomed Hall.
Finding the Hall of Memory is fairly easy, although it's located in a largely pedestrianised area of Birmingham with no parking at all available locally. Centenary Square (home of the Hall) is situated at the bottom of Broad Street and is accessible by a wide range of West Midlands buses from all areas of the City.
Hall of Memory
Centenary Square
Broad Street
Birmingham
Tel: 0121 303 2822 (Curator)"
Was this recommendation useful?
|
;)
