Kendal Town Council is hoping to find new owners to care for and look after meeting room furniture that has been in storage for the last three years.
The wooden heritage furniture, previously brought out for monthly Council meetings, needs a new home.
The Town Council meetings are now held in a room used by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) for their meetings which comes ready furnished. The Town Council rents the room from SLDC who own the Town Hall.
The oak furniture dates to the late 19th century and was in use during a period when the now famous fell walker Alfred Wainwright was treasurer to the Borough Council. The Council believe the furniture was commissioned when the Town Hall was built for use by the then Borough Council. In 1974, when the Borough Council was replaced with a Town and District Council, the Town Council inherited the furniture.
Up for auction, in October, are 22 desks, 19 carver chairs and 15 chairs plus a long desk and Clerk’s desk. The chairs are upholstered in Kendal green leather and embossed with the town crest. The Town Council will keep a desk, chair and carver chair for display and to make available for exhibitions.
The Mayor of Kendal, Councillor Alvin Finch, explains why the sale is necessary, he said: “We are reluctantly having to sell the traditional meeting room furniture. We know people have a strong connection to their local heritage and we have looked at options to keep them. Unfortunately, we can no longer use them and it would cost a lot of money to refurbish them. In addition, we would need to find appropriate ways to store them. At least now people will be able to see what the furniture looked like because we are keeping a set.
“Our hope is that each piece will gain a new lease of life in a new home whilst raising funds to help us keep and look after other heritage items. The net proceeds from the sale will be ring-fenced for our Arts & Heritage reserve which supports conservation and restoration projects,” added Councillor Finch.
The furniture will be sold at auction by 1818 Auctioneers at the J36 Auction Centre on Tuesday 8th October 2019. The items, which will be sold individually, are estimated to make between £20-30 for a chair, £50-80 for a carver and £150-200 for a desk.
Further details will be available nearer the sale date on 1818 Auctioneers website at https://www.1818auctioneers.co.uk/. People can also contact 1818 Auctioneer valuer David Brookes on 015395 66204 or email by [email protected].
