Detail View: SHIMMER:

Caption: 
Duke of Norfolk's Coat of Arms
Creation Date: 
1880
Image Date: 
2001
Period: 
19th century
Location: 
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Country: 
ENGLAND, UK
Material: 
stone
Display Creator: 
HADFIELD , GILLMAN
Terms: 
Coats of arms
Image ID: 
01-2576
Description: 
Location: Above the archway of the tower of Clark & Partners, Clough Road, Sheffield S2 4EE Description: This stone carved feature is set into a window-shaped frame, with stone lintels and brick sides. It contains a shield surmounted by a crowned helmet above and behind which is a banner whose lettering is no longer decipherable. The helmet is also in poor condition. Inscriptions: The Howard family motto: "SOLA VIRTUS INVICTA" (Virtue alone cannot be conquered). The lettering is badly worn and unreadable. Commission: The building was raised as a drill hall for the 4th West York Artillery Volunteers. Hadfield put forward two designs for the Drill Hall, that built being the smaller and less ambitious of the two. The foundation stone was laid on 25th September 1878 by Flora Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duchess of Norfolk. The building was completed, after some delays, in 1880, being formally opened on 2nd June 1880 with a grand dinner and ball. The cost, originally estimated at £9,000 was eventually £13,000. The money was raised from sales of shares in a joint stock company formed from the Officers of the Artillery Volunteers. Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk purchased 30 shares. Following the national re-organistion of volunteer corps in 1908 the building became Crown property in 1910 and after some refurbishment was reopened on 24th May 1912 by General Sir John French. In the two World Wars the building was used as a base for a Royal Artillery units and also by the Home Guard. In peace time it was the HQ for Sheffield's Artillery Volunteers until 1967, after which the building was empty for more than ten years. [1] Comment: For much of the Drill Hall's active military life it was also available for a hire as a venue being one of the largest spaces in Sheffield at that time. It housed flower shows, Trades Exhibitions, Ideal Home Exhibitions, and weekend dances and recitals. There were a number of political meetings held in the building; the Prime Minister spoke there in 1903 and another meeting was wrecked by suffragettes in 1906. Sporting events were held there: roller skating, boxing matches, and walking marathons from 1882. Charles Blondin the tightrope walker appeared there in 1885. The building is now occupied by Clark & Partners who specialise in repairs and conversions of vehicles, chairs and other equipment for disabled users. It was bought by them in 1979. References: [1] Johnson, S. "From Bailey to Bailey", 1998. p.30-33
Rights: 
© Sheffield Hallam University
Permissions: 
For educational use only. This image may be used in print or digital materials provided that full acknowledgment is given, expressed as follows: " © < insert details from the 'Rights' field >. Photographed by < insert details from the 'Photographed by' field >."
Image Storage Location: 
http://helios.shu.ac.uk/01-2576.tif
Photographed by: 
Dave Ball
Creator: 
GILLMAN, W.S.
Creator Role: 
Stonemason.
Culture Gender: 
Male.
Nationality: 
British.
Creator: 
HADFIELD, Matthew Ellison
Creator Dates - Born: 
1812
Creator Dates - Died: 
1885
Creator Role: 
Architect.
Culture Gender: 
Male.
Nationality: 
British.
Subject Heading: 
Public art -- England -- Sheffield
Subject Heading: 
Heraldry -- England (South Yorkshire)
Subject Heading: 
Relief (Sculpture), English
Subject Heading: 
Decoration and ornament, Architectural