THE BINGHAM
LIBRARY TRUST
|
THE BUILDINGS
This photograph was taken on 21st September 2005 outside Bingham House, the day of the opening of the Bingham Gallery. In the photograph are Mr N E Whereat (Chairman of the Trust), Earl Bathurst, Lord Apsley, Mr and Mrs Charles Bingham and family.
© Abbey Studios Ltd.
Bingham House, Dyer House and 2 residential properties are administered by the Bingham Library Trust, whilst Bingham Hall is administered by the Bingham Hall Trustees.
Bingham House
BINGHAM HOUSE (FORMERLY THE BINGHAM LIBRARY)
As stated in the 'Welcome', the Bingham Library is now run by the Gloucestershire County Council from premises that were built in the 1970's. This has given the Bingham Library Trust the opportunity to utilize Bingham House for commercial lettings. The Gallery, that was opened on 21st September 2005 (one hundred years to the day of the opening of the original library), provides a centenary memorial to the Trust's benefactor, Daniel Bingham.
Laying of Foundation StoneThe foundation stone was laid by Earl Bathurst on 21st January 1904 and the opening ceremony took place on 21st September 1905.
The style of architecture is Tudor, the windows having stone mullions and the lights filled with lead glazing. The building is of local stone with Bath stone dressing and has a frontage of 63 feet and the front elevation is 45 feet in height. Mr V A Lawson AMICE of Cirencester and Stroud was the architect and Mr George Drew of Cirencester, the contractor. The approach is by a handsome porch and originally opened to the porter's room, in which facilities were provided for supplying tea, coffee and mineral water at certain hours. The vestibule and entrance hall were paved with Terazo paving and woodwork throughout the building was of polished teak.
Dyer House
DYER HOUSE
Dyer House at 3 Dyer Street, Cirencester, was built in the early 1800's. In a letter written by Daniel George Bingham on 20th April 1912, he stated, having identified that he owned the property, that he hoped to ultimately utilise Dyer House as a Fine Art Gallery.
The first steps towards the realisation of Daniel George Bingham's dream being achieved with the use of Suite No. 3 in Dyer House as a "gallery".
Dyer House was extensively refurbished in 1975/6 and then again in 1995/6 and now houses Cirencester Town Council and business tenants.
It will no doubt be of great satisfaction to the late Daniel George Bingham to know that land belonging to Dyer House was provided in the 1970's for the construction of a County Library, the land being held from the Trust on a long lease.
BINGHAM HALL
Bingham HallIn addition to the Bingham Library, the endowment from Daniel Bingham also included the Bingham Hall, which is a large public hall with adjoining rifle range was donated to the inhabitants of Cirencester and the surrounding district by Daniel George Bingham and is administered by the Bingham Hall Trustees. It was opened in 1908 to provide a venue for dances, entertainment, meetings of local clubs and societies, shows and other public functions.
The main hall has a seating capacity of 450 people and the rifle range of 150 people, for shows, lectures, etc. For dinners and similar functions the hall caters for 300 people.
There is also a very good gymnasium, which is used, amongst others, by dancing clubs and badminton clubs. The rifle range is the home of the Cotswold Rifle Club, which is one of the oldest rifle clubs in the country and when not in use by this organisation, can be divided into three rooms capable of seating from 20 to 60 people for club meetings with kitchen facilities. A combination of two of these rooms will accommodate up to 150 people for meetings or social functions. Contact: Tel: 01285 653313/Website: www.binghamhall.co.uk
