1861 – Volunteer Drill Hall, Bradford, Yorkshire

From The Building News: “THE accompanying is a view of the drill-room about to be built for the Sth West York Rifle Volunteers at Bradford, on land leased to the corps by the ladies of the manor adjoining Manningham-lane,containing about two acres. The want of a suitable rendezvous has been seriously felt from the first, and the consequence has been that many have been deterred from joining the corps on this account. This want will now be met in a manner which will at once prove useful and ornamental to the town, and be an evidence of the patriotism of its inhabitants ; and now that drill and instruction can be conducted despite the weather, the corps may be expected to be greatly augmented.

The room for drill purposes will be 97 feet by 60 feet. This space is to be covered in by a light wrought-iron roof, having on either slope a range of large skylights. The floor is to be of concrete. Communicating with the drill-room at one end, will be the armoury, 44 feet by 20 feet, officers’ orderly room, 20 feet by 15 feet, room for cleaning arms, 20 feet by 12 feet, containing hot-water apparatus for heating the armoury. At the opposite end of the drill-room will be the gymnasium, 44 feet by 20 feet, and the sergeant’s orderly room, 20 feet by 15 feet.

All the walls (which will be of the stone of the locality) will be loopholed ; and by means of loopholed towers at the angles, each face of the building can be commanded by tlie rifle, and the whole, if necessary, rendered perfectly defensible. In an elevated recess at one end of the drill-room will be a gallery capable of containing about fifty musicians. This, which will add to the elegance of the interior, will be occupied by the regimental band ; but is also adapted for use at a concert, or as a platform for speakers.

The building will stand on a raised terrace with a verandah in front 12 feet wide. A grass verge will surround it, as also the boundary walls inside the parade ground. Adjoining the main building will be a sergeant’s house containing a sitting-room, kitchen and three chambers.

The cost of erection, exclusive of the boundary fences to the land, will be about £1,400. This sura it is intended to raise by a bazaar to be held in St. George’s Hall during Whitsun week. Altogether, when completed, the building will be worthy of the corps, the present efficiency of which is owing to the enthusiasm and spirit of the commanding ofiicer. Lieutenant – Colonel Lister of Manningham Hall, and to the energy and skill of the adjutant. Captain F. Lepper, late 7th Lancashire Militia and 81st Regiment.

The Bradford corps is on the increase, and is one of the finest and most efficient bodies of volunteers in the country.

The architects for the buildings are Messrs. Andrews and Delaunay of Bradford, who have given their services gratuitously.