UNVEILING THE TEMPERANCE HALL MURAL
On Wednesday 2 April the scaffolding came down from Temperance Hall to reveal a beautifully repaired and repainted exterior. Also revealed on the west elevation is a large mural celebrating the reimagining of the building as a community printworks, which will be called Plas Gwasg – in English, the Print Palace.
From an original concept by Haverfordwest Heritage founder Richard Blacklaw-Jones, the mural was designed by a group of local printmakers who are planning to set up the community printworks in the building.
Richard says, ‘My original inspiration was old cinema poster graphics since Temperance Hall used to be a cinema in the 1920s.’
The design was developed by local printmaker Heidi Baker, typography designer Theo Knipe and artist Zoe Murphy.
‘We wanted something with impact, but also something that is reminiscent of the beautiful ghost signs that you see on heritage buildings. It’s tucked away, we hope it will be a lovely surprise for people exploring the town on foot. We were very lucky to have the help of Zoe Murphy (@margategirl) who inked by hand all the illustrations of printmaking ephemera. Then Theo Knipe, a young graduate type designer, set out all the elements based on heritage letterpress, which is one of the many printmaking techniques we will have on offer at The Print Palace.’ ~ Heidi Baker
What colour is the Temperance Hall? All is revealed!
We are extremely grateful to the Pembrokeshire-based businesses: Lloyd The Graffiti for braving the scaffolding and doing such a brilliant job painting the mural; Marcus Bunce of New Leaf Giclée for the large-format prints that Lloyd used to transfer the design to the wall; Cleddau Press for digital printing of the plans; Tree & Son for the excellent repair and painting of the exterior, and Acanthus Holden as the overseeing architects. And to our funders, the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund and Heritage Fund, Pembrokeshire County Council with funding from UK Government, and Perrot’s Trust.
Haverfordwest Heritage is a heritage development trust working to regenerate the town of Haverfordwest supported by a strategic partnership of AHF and Heritage Fund. Temperance Hall on St Mary’s Street is their first acquisition, purchased with funds from the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund with assistance from the Architectural Heritage Fund. The building is now owned by the trust for the benefit of local people. We are currently fundraising to complete the interior renovations and have just been awarded £50,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund and Cadw. After work to the interior, it is hoped that the Print Palace will be open for business by the end of 2025. More information about Temperance Hall is available on the Haverfordwest Heritage website.
Pics and clips will be published here very soon.