69 71, HIGH STREET

Details

WARE TOWN

TL3514SE HIGH STREET 829-1/9/119 (South side) 14/03/74 Nos.69 AND 71

GV II

Former inn range, subsequently house, and now shop with office above. C17, or earlier, timber-framed, refronted extended and roof raised C18, with C19 alterations. First floor plum-red brick, Flemish bond. Moulded stucco-faced panelled parapet. Old tiled roof, with break in ridge line indicating 2 periods of construction, T-plan red brick chimneystack on ridge at right. One modern rooflight replacing 3 former box dormers. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys and attics. First floor has 6 recessed sash windows, with plate glass in reveals under rubbed flat arches, with stone cills, spaced 3 : 1 : 2. Ground floor has shopfronts left and right of carriageway. No.69 has elaborate late C19, c1880, shopfront, with stucco flanking pilasters, with 2 tiered foliated capitals, loosely based on the Corinthian order, and a moulded outward swelling cap above, forming the base for stucco orbs on pedestals. The shopfront has a stucco stallriser with a moulded timber cill, and twin arcaded display windows, subdivided by barleysugar twisted columns. The window heads are arcaded with moulded cast-iron spandrel panels with fruit and foliage. Connecting the twin windows in front of the entrance in its canted recess, is an elaborate cast-iron foliated pierced panel with the central initials RWH (R W Harradence). No.71, to right of carriageway, has a late C19 shopfront, with timber pilasters, elaborately carved moulded console brackets containing fascia, and an arcaded shop window, over a timber stallriser. Foliated carving in the spandrels of the arcading, fascia with moulded cornice above. Timber posts and beam to carriageway, with paired ornamental C19 cast-iron spandrel brackets. Plain boarded gates. Exposed timber studwork in carriageway. Frontage building greatly extended at rear C18 to form `double pile' plan over carriageway. Rear outshoots either side of central yard. 2 storeys, plastered, with 4 first floor windows, coved eaves cornice and old tile roof behind No.69. Long rear outshoot to No.71, 2 storeys, yellow brick ground floor and oversailing first floor, plaster over timber-framing, with Welsh slated roof. INTERIOR: attic over eastern end of front range has smoke blackened rafters, and evidence of a former crown post roof, raised C18 when building refronted. Dog-leg newel stair runs from first floor to attics. Close string construction with moulded handrail and column on vase balusters. Several first floor rooms retain C19 marble fireplaces, ornamental plasterwork and display niches from Harradence's showrooms. Site of The Catherine Wheel Inn recorded in 1479, whose owner William Pyrrey has brass in St Mary's. The building formed part of the Harradence's Drapery Department Store from 1775 to 1871, together with Nos 65 and 67, and 73 adjoining (qv). (Hunt EM: The History of Ware: Hertford: 1986-1946: 100-101; Perman D: 600 Yrs of Charity. A Brief History of the Ware Charity Trustees: Ware: 1991-: 8; Perman D: Ware UD. List of buildings of special arch or historic interest: 1993-: 33; Ware 25" to 1 Mile. Surveyed by the Ordnance Survey Department: 1851-; The Victoria History of the County of Hertford: London: 1912-: 382).

Listing NGR: TL3571814312

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

412355

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Perman, D, 600 Years of Charity: A Brief History of the Ware Charity Trustees, (1991), 8
Hunt, E M, The History of Ware 1986-1946, (1986), 100-101
Doubleday, A, The Victoria History of the County of Hertford, (1912), 382

End of official list entry

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