Spectrum car park

Castle Keep

Guildford Castle Keep is due to re-open to visitors in late spring following12 months of extensive conservation work.

The poor condition of the stonework became evident several years ago, but it was only at the beginning of the removal of the modern mortar from previous conservation work that traces of battlements were revealed. They are also a very early example of battlements.

A floor and roof have been put back into the keep, making it much easier to understand in terms of how it would have looked and been used, and gives visitors easier access to a larger area. Andrew Hodges visited the castle recently and saw the new roof being installed.

Guildford Castle, before the work began

The discoveries in the keep are of national importance because of the early battlements, the surviving plaster, and the two phases to the keep. It has always been assumed that keeps were defensive, but it is now thought that they were more a symbol of power. Guildford Castle Keep adds a twist to this by appearing to start life as a fairly small first floor hall, with fortifications.

The New Civic Hall

The road to a new Civic Hall started on 31 January when four bids were received. The panel making the selection of the preferred tenderer has looked at the bids and required more information and clarification. The selection will, therefore, not take place until the end of March/beginning of April.

In case you have forgotten why the old Civic Hall had to close:

“The building had been “past its sell by date since 1993” (Surrey Advertiser)

“ I would be sad – but now I've seen the backstage toilets” – Paul Jones (Manfred Mann at the Last Fling Concert)

Community Warden

At the last meeting of the Executive of the Council, we agreed to go forward with recruiting for the community warden posts which have been vacant since the previous occupants left the employment of the Council.

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