Main Entrance and Foyer

The wrought iron gates were designed by E. W. Mountford and possess a remarkable similarity to some installed at the Old Bailey extensions of 1907, also designed by Mountford and made by the same company, J. W. Singers of Frome, Somerset.

 

An amusing story surrounds the "first opening" of the gates by Queen Victoria, in 1897. Because of her age, The Queen remained in a landau on Pinstone Street. For the opening, the new miracle of electricity was to be employed. Appropriately The Queen turned the key in the special lock handed to her in her carriage. Miraculously, the gates slid open. Everyone present believed electric power was responsible. The truth was the key of the lock switched on a current to light a bulb inside the building. There, strong men were concealed and reacted to the signal by heaving the gates open manually.

The display case is used to display Sheffield Plate and other memorabilia presented to the city at various times and is changed frequently.

The two memorial plaques are for lives lost in the South African War and World War I, and the Foundation Stone was laid by the Mayor, Alderman William Johnson Clegg, on October 9th, 1891.

 

The outstanding features are the six large sculptures by Pomeroy depicting virtues suitably captioned - Be just and fear not - Work while it is day for the night cometh - God shall rule and guide our Councils - Better it is to get wisdom than gold - Let all things be done with charity - Strength and temperance shall enforce the law.

 

The Shield is from the cruiser ship "HMS SHEFFIELD", which saw action in World War II.

The screen is carved out of oak and bears the Family Arms of the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl Fitzwilliam, both having early connections with Sheffield local government.