Jewel in Lancaster Crown Court history

Alan Sandham looks at the first time in history that the Ashton Hall in Lancaster was turned into Lancaster Crown Court
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t has been a well-known venue for concerts and dances, beer festivals and speech days.

Now, for the first time in its illustrious 111-year history, the Ashton Hall in Lancaster’s Edwardian Town Hall has been turned into Lancaster Crown Court.

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While the Town Hall, a Grade II* listed building, has been closed to the public since last March because of the coronavirus pandemic, its former magistrates’ court, unused since 1985, has been reopened. Since last week the Town Hall has been a Covid vaccination centre.

The Ashton Hall in Lancaster.The Ashton Hall in Lancaster.
The Ashton Hall in Lancaster.

And on Monday of this week (February 1) the Ashton Hall also became a Nightingale Court as part of the Government’s scheme to alleviate pressure on courts caused by the pandemic when Crown Court trial started, presided over by Circuit Judge Andrew Jefferies QC.

Lancaster Castle is proud of being the country’s longest-established and continuous Crown Court but it is not available because it is undergoing extensive renovation work.

Assizes at the castle closed in 1971, 50 years ago.

Described as the jewel in the crown of Lancaster Town Hall, the Ashton Hall was created as a concert hall and named after James Williamson, Lancaster’s linoleum manufacturer, who became Lord Ashton in 1895.

A rare snapshot of the camera shy Lord Ashton, right, at the official opening ceremony of Lancaster Town Hall. He is accompanied by the mayor of the time.A rare snapshot of the camera shy Lord Ashton, right, at the official opening ceremony of Lancaster Town Hall. He is accompanied by the mayor of the time.
A rare snapshot of the camera shy Lord Ashton, right, at the official opening ceremony of Lancaster Town Hall. He is accompanied by the mayor of the time.
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It has a capacity of 1,000, including balcony, stage and huge organ.

Lord Ashton paid for the building at a cost of £155,000, including furnishings by Waring and Gillow of Lancaster, and performed the opening ceremony in 1909.

Born at Ryelands House, Skerton, in 1842, James Williamson became a town councillor, JP, High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire and, from 1886 to 1895, Liberal MP for Lancaster.

He also built the Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park and, as he was an old boy and benefactor of Lancaster Royal Grammar School, the school’s Ashton boarding house was named after him.

Attractively framed by the surrounding trees and set amid beautiful parkland, Ryelands House, Skerton, once the home of the late Lord Ashton and now used for various purposes including a county branch library, welfare clinic and Women's Institute cantre. Dated 17 April 1953. From LEP archiveAttractively framed by the surrounding trees and set amid beautiful parkland, Ryelands House, Skerton, once the home of the late Lord Ashton and now used for various purposes including a county branch library, welfare clinic and Women's Institute cantre. Dated 17 April 1953. From LEP archive
Attractively framed by the surrounding trees and set amid beautiful parkland, Ryelands House, Skerton, once the home of the late Lord Ashton and now used for various purposes including a county branch library, welfare clinic and Women's Institute cantre. Dated 17 April 1953. From LEP archive
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Lord Ashton was Constable of Lancaster Castle for 10 years until he died, aged 87 and without an heir, at his home, Ashton Hall, now Lancaster Golf Club, in 1930.

His motto was ‘A sound conscience is a wall of bronze’.

His daughter, Ella, married the 1st Earl Peel, a descendant of Sir Robert Peel.

Their grandson, the 3rd Earl Peel, formerly of Hyning Hall, Warton, is the present Lord Chamberlain.

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