Report - Dewsbury Library, Dewsbury, August 2018

[tarkovsky]

Dewsbury Library is a Grade Two listed building located in the centre of Dewsbury. It seems the library relocated to more modern premises in 1996.

The listing details outline the main features of the building:

Public Library. 1894-96, altered 1931 and 1967. Designed by G E T Lawrence. Rock-faced stone with ashlar dressings. Hipped slate roofs with single octagonal cupola.' Chamfered ashlar plinth. 2 storey. Main, north-west front has off-centre doorway with moulded ashlar door surround topped with open segmental pediment with panel between inscribed FREE LIBRAR y topped with another small pediment. Above 2 small windows. The entrance has iron gates and a triple overlight with glazing bars. T o left 3 large round headed windows in moulded ashlar -surrounds with raised pilasters between. Above 4 small central windows flanked by large curved gables each with 4-1ight mullion and transom windows topped with flat moulded hood, above in each gable an ornate crest. Beyond to right a single door and above a small circular turret with a blind round window and carved panel band above. To left 2 tall cross casement windows with paired pilasters between, above 2 round headed windows in moulded ashlar surrounds each topped with a pediment and prominent finial. North-east front has irregular facade with 2 bays to left similar to the main front. Rear section 3 storeys with plain and irregular glazing. INTERIOR has some original features including glazed tiling, panelling and moulded plaster ceilings. Large children's mural designed in 1931 by Herbert Wood.

Source: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1323735

It was last used as a wedding venue by Taj Banqueting Suite but has remained disused since a fire in August 2014.

Pic and info source: https://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/around-200-people-evacuated-after-7648171

This was a nice relaxed explore. The fire has clearly damaged sections of the building internally but doesn’t seem to have made much of an impact structurally, and many of the building’s original features remain - including the tiles and wooden panelling.

Externals

Downstairs

Upstairs

I tend to try to avoid being particularly sentimental about places, after all if this wasn’t abandoned it’s unlikely I’d ever have made the journey to look at it. However, this place had so many nice features and some really impressive detail that it really did feel a shame that it had been allowed to get in this state.
​

 

[urbanchemist]

Lovely stuff - surprised this one hasn't had more attention really.

 

[tarkovsky]

Lovely stuff - surprised this one hasn't had more attention really.

I know! Remember seeing the report by @degenerate and thinking how good it looked, but then never saw anything else of it. Was defo worth a look.

 

[little_ boy_explores]

yes is a good derp... nice one @tarkovsky

 

[tarkovsky]

yes is a good derp... nice one @tarkovsky

Thanks LBE

 

[degenerate]

Nice one, much better pics than the ones i came away with!

 

[host]

Really nice report. It will get some attention now I bet. Stunning shots too

 

[Brewtal]

Yeah that’s lovely. Nice mix of shots too, good use of fisheye for a few of them.

 

[mookster]

Good to see this one again...was sealed when I tried it last.

 

[MrDevla]

It’s a shame it’s gone downhill so fast, I did some work there a few years back and it was in great condition.

 

[tarkovsky]

Nice one, much better pics than the ones i came away with!

Wouldn’t have know about it without your report and I was just lucky with the light on a nice evening.

Really nice report. It will get some attention now I bet. Stunning shots too

Thanks! Yeah it’s a nice one.

Yeah that’s lovely. Nice mix of shots too, good use of fisheye for a few of them.

A rare occasion where I actually bothered swapping lenses. I’m usually too lazy.

Good to see this one again...was sealed when I tried it last.

Yeah I’d just hit lucky. Swimming baths nextdoor were sealed, tho I wasn’t too worried as this was better.

It’s a shame it’s gone downhill so fast, I did some work there a few years back and it was in great condition.

Yeah seems to have declined after the fire.

 

[HughieD]

That's one beautiful building and a fab set of pics. Good use of your fish-eye too!

 

[mockney reject]

thats really nice that

 

[dave]

Lovely stone work on the outside and the mosaic floor is a nice feature too. The number of times ive passed through Dewsbury on the train and never realised this place even existed.

 

[Baggy trousers]

A most excellent report that chap, one I'd like to see for myself . Such a shame it's been left to ruin as it's quite a lovely building.