SDO12550 - Bridport Town Hall, Dorset. An Archaeological Watching Brief.

'Context One Archaeological Services Ltd (COAS) carried out an Archaeological Watching Brief during internal alterations taking place at Bridport Town Hall, Bridport, Dorset (centred on NGR SY 45679 92921) (hereafter referred to as the Site). The project was commissioned and funded by Bridport Town Council, as requested by West Dorset District Council. The work was carried out in February and June 2011. The Site has been well-served by the survival of historic documentation from the 16th century onwards. It shows tht the Town Hall was built over the demolished remains of St. Andrew's Chapel, built to serve Carmelite Friars in the 13th century. It had become the market centre of the town, with a front onto the main route from Dorchester to the south west peninsula. The Town Hall was constructed in 1785 to a design by William Tyler. The fabric survives well, although the introduction of toilets in the 1930s brought about the subdivision of the previously large, open, ground floor space. The building of the toilet led to the removal of most of the internal ceiling support pillars. As well as being the town's administrative centre, the building has housed court proceedings into the early 19th century, as well as community events such as exhibitions and concerts. Throughout that time it had a mercantile role in the town, first as a market and later housing shops. It is likely that a large well found during previous work and rediscovered during this project is Medieval. The dating of a second well is more difficult to determine. Eventually it formed part of the drainage system but in its original use as a water source it may hhave been associated with St. Andrew's Chapel.'