Last week I was unable to get out and shoot as I was helping my daughter move out to her own house, a lot of toing and froing meant we were all knackered so I had no time or energy to get back out with the drone or the camera.
So this weekend with a more restful couple of days I headed out to the Shirehall buildings with a car full of cameras. In the boot was my DJI Mini 4 Pro, my Canon 5D MkIV, my Leica Q3 and also the main event, the Holga 120WPC. This is a wide format pinhole camera that is used with a 120 Film, and in this today I had loaded a roll of Ilford Pan 50 Black and White.
With the film loaded and the 6×9 inlay selected I would be getting around 8 photos as long as I didnt mess it up. Which I did, but nevermind, more of that later.
I mounted the WPC120 on my tripod, fitted the shutter release cable and left the car in the car park. I was only carrying my tripod and mounted camera, and around my shoulder the Canon 5D with a 300mm telephoto lens on the front.
Pinhole
I exited the car and found my first photo immediately, the Abbey Foregate Entrance of the complex, I sat the tripod down, and used the strange Dambuster style sight gauge, viewfinder to align the scene before working out the exposure for the ISO50 film. The aperture of this particular Pinhole camera is documented as a f/135 and my Sekonic L308-B Flashmate light meter does not go as high as this so I was at a bit of a loss. In the end I used the table on the back of the camera which suggests that at ISO100 film speed in overcast conditions that it should be around 12 second exposure time. With the ISO of my film being 50 it meant I would need to double the settings. I reckoned that it would be up around 25 seconds of exposure, but with my underexposure of the Lomography film in Dudley Zoo last year i decided to give it a few extra seconds. It is very tricky to get any detail out of an underexposed film and with the film latitude it should be easier to get a usable photo out of a slightly overexposed film.
The first shot I made was thirty seconds, timed with my Apple watch, and after I’d taken the shot I replaced the lens cap and then advanced the film using the knob on the top. Unfortunately I turned it too much and instead of being on the next odd frame number (3) I had gone to far and found a number 4 in the red film indicator window. From this point on I would need to advance two numbers and land on each of the even numbers. This moving on of two numbers was due to the 6×9 format meaning that the frames are much wider than usual.
As I was walking around the complex I was using my DSLR with the 300mm lens to capture shots of the buildings and windows even some of the smaller details around the site.
Using the Pinhole camera I got around eight frames and then it was time to wrap that up and continue with the DSLR. I also found that the 300mm lens was a bit long for some of the close up shots I wanted so I was starting to use my iPhone 16 Pro.
There were many opportunities to record photographs of reflections in the windows of the buildings around the site. Also a couple of times I had focussed in on the small mosaic tiles that coat the faces of the storeys around the whole site. Some of them appear to be more grey than the other side where a slight green tinge can be seen. In one area someone had peeled off some of the tile with it breaking into small bits on the floor. I picked up a square of mosaic but upon getting home it was missing from my pocket. I also started thinking about making a rubbing of the pattern and then this led on to thoughts about inking some up to make a print of, then I would have to clean it with some wipes to ensure I did no permanent damage. This is a task for the near future. I might do a rubbing using a wax crayon, print using ink, or even flatten out some air drying clay on to the pattern so I could recreate it using plaster of paris at a later time.
In one of the areas close to the entrance to the Crown Court I could see through the glass and capture the coat of arms and the area around it, I could also take a photo from the other side that shows more details of the ceiling covering peeling away and looking like its getting ready to become dilapidated. An old typeface sign for COURT was interesting to see also, this must have been there from original build I would have thought. It would have no doubt seen many witnesses, judges, lawyers, jury members, and defendants walk past it over the years. It must have been there when I did my jury duty back in the early 2000s and I walked in nervously not knowing what I was facing.
Signs for Register Office and also no entry signs, along with anti-climbing features were dotted around the areas so I was catching these details. Some of the fencing on top of gates was a small grid pattern and if I blurred out using depth of field and aperture and focus point I found that I could get a nice grid pattern that reminded me of the mosaic tiles.
Heading back to the car I was planning on launching my drone but it had started raining, a sure fire way of getting me to keep my drone safe and dry. I left and headed for home to see what I’d caught on sensor, and remove the film roll from my WPC120 ready to take to Uni on Tuesday where I would be able to process it and perhaps scan it also.
Facebook Cry For Help
Later that evening I sat down and wrote my call to action for people who have worked at Shirehall or who may have got married or sentenced there. It was important to me to document who I am, what my plan was and also try to avoid getting involved in the political wranglings immediately, that inevitably become part of the conversations around the demolition and replacement of “ugly” old buildings.
My first draft was written by hand and then tidied up in CoPilot a little but it was not perfect and still needed some extra editing.
First Draft
Exhibition Practical Work Facebook Call out
Did you work at Shirehall? Did you get married/divorced at Shirehall? Any stories to tell about the building and your involvement with it? Did you like/loathe working in the Shirehall? What did you like/loathe about it?
My name is Bob and I’m a mature student studying in my last year at the University of Wolverhampton for a degree in Photography.
My project for this final year is to create a photographic portrait of the Shirehall, Shropshire Council Offices in Abbey Foregate Shrewsbury.
Why am I doing this? Because the future of the buildings in the complex, containing offices, register office, courts, even a nuclear bunker is uncertain. With the Shropshire Council mothballing the site it is likely to eventually fall into disrepair and possibly razing to the ground to become something else.
I’ve lived in Shrewsbury all of my life and I remember playing in the fountain pool as a kid, playing hide and seek, going up the column, ziplining off the top of the building, abseiling from the column, unicycling around the area, doing jury duty and lastly learning to ride my electric skateboard. It’s been a constant part of my life and with my appreciation of Brutalist and Modernist architecture I’ve come to regard the Portland Stone, concrete and glass structures as an icon of the Shrewsbury skyline. (I know this is not a widely held opinion of the set of buildings)
Ralph Crowe designed the buildings in the 1960s and it was completed in 1966 before being opened by Queen Elizabeth II, it is a marmite building but is somewhat of a star of modernist architecture in the UK.
As part of my project I’d like to gather images and possibly short interviews from people who have spent time in the Shirehall complex. Have you got photos taken inside the Shirehall, either the buildings or people at work? Photos of yourself after getting married or going through the courts?
Ideally I’d like to collect some of this in the next few weeks and would appreciate it if you could get in touch with me on my email address: photo@bobgriffiths.uk
If you’d like to remain anonymous I can relate
Please note that this project is independent of the council and I am concerned only with creating an archive of information and photographs, this work will not be politically motivated or judgmental about the councils decision. There has been enough social commentary on the current affairs related to the council and I’d like to remain impartial.
Second Version
Shirehall Memories: Call for Contributions
Invitation to Share Your Shirehall Stories
Did you ever work at Shirehall? Perhaps you celebrated a milestone there, such as getting married or divorced? Do you have any memorable stories to share about the building and your involvement with it? Whether you enjoyed or disliked working in the Shirehall, your experiences and opinions are valuable—what did you appreciate about it, or what did you find challenging?
About the Project
My name is Bob, and I am currently in my final year as a part-time, mature student at the University of Wolverhampton, pursuing a degree in Photography. For my final year project, I am focusing on creating a photographic portrait of the Shirehall, which houses the Shropshire Council Offices at Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. The end goal is work in an exhibition at the University’s Degree Show, possibly featuring my images, others images and interview footage and possibly other media. I am photographing with digital, film and a drone to capture all aspects of this landmark. Ideally I would also like to be allowed into the buildings to photograph the locations where people once worked and capture the details that show how important it has been to the town and county over the last 60 years.
Why Document Shirehall?
This project stems from a sense of urgency regarding the uncertain future of the Shirehall complex, which includes offices, the register office, courts, and even a nuclear bunker. With Shropshire Council having mothballed the site, there is a real possibility that the buildings may fall into disrepair, or even be demolished and replaced.
Personal Connection
Having lived in Shrewsbury my entire life, Shirehall has been a constant presence for me. As a child, I played in the fountain pool, enjoyed hide and seek, climbed the column, abseiled down, ziplined from the top of the building, unicycled around the area, completed jury duty, and more recently, learned to ride my electric skateboard there.
Architectural Significance
My appreciation for Brutalist and Modernist architecture has led me to regard the Portland stone, concrete, and glass structures as true icons of the Shrewsbury skyline—even if this view is not universally shared.
The Shirehall buildings were designed by Ralph Crowe in the 1960s, completed in 1966, and officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II. Often described as a ‘marmite’ building, Shirehall nonetheless stands as a noteworthy example of modernist architecture in the UK.
How You Can Help
As part of my project, I am seeking images and, if possible, short interviews from individuals who have spent time in the Shirehall complex. Do you have photographs taken inside the building—whether of the architecture itself or of people at work? Perhaps you have images from significant events, such as weddings or court appearances?
If you are willing to contribute, please get in touch with me at: photo@bobgriffiths.uk . If you prefer, your contribution can remain anonymous.
If you are able to help me with legally accessing the buildings, i.e. part of the council, I would be very grateful also.
Project Independence
This is a university project conducted independently of the council. My sole aim is to create an archive of information and photographs about Shirehall and some of the people who’ve interacted with it over the last six decades. The work will remain impartial, without any political motivation or judgement of the council’s decisions. There has already been ample social commentary on current affairs related to the council, and my intention is to focus solely on documenting memories and experiences.
Responses
So far, I’ve had a few responses, some of them offering their thoughts and memories and a few more that promise an interview or further photographs. These will be followed up during the next two weeks.
Some of the responses are detailed here:
Amanda Berry on Facebook
These were taken the day we got sent to work from home due to lock down
It was a nice office to work in for the view
Shashi Agnihotri
Got married there in 1996. According to a friend ,who was working there at the time, people came out of their offices to look at me in my saree.
Mark Kilby
Only time I spent in there was doing jury service
Alison Manuel
Please message me , I worked there for 12 years and have lots of stories
Amanda Mullins
Thank Margaret Lloyd
Bob Please try
Shrewsbury Civic Society as they are currently organising their second ShireHall exhibition (May & June 2026).
I’m sure they might be able to help.
(Anonymous)
Hi Bob – saw your post about Shirehall, but I can’t reply publicly… I worked there for 39 years! I could certainly give you my personal views as long as my name not used , I also have a collection of photographs that are NOT my own, some I have permission to share, some were taken from the Internet many years ago, which I’m sure you would be very interested to see at least. I will have a very small few photos of my own too.
Peter Cartledge
Worked there in Salop County Architects Department for a year after leaving school in 1966. I was present when HMQ opened the building.
Richard Hobbs
No pics, but as a 8 year old who’s friend’s garden backed onto the grounds, we played amongst the building materials, pinching the odd brick or 3!
Also once built we continued to use the grounds for our impromptu football games, being frequently chased off by the caretaker from his flat on top of shirehall. We gave him 5 mins to return to his flat, then resumed our game!
Angus Tulloch
It’s a shame that such an interesting building has such a sad future. Those views alone look amazing. Good luck with the project to document it.
Joyce Heather
Got married there 1997….
Alison Utting
Don’t have any photos, but grew up nearby and definitely remember playing in the fountains. One winter, it froze and then broke up into big floating ice plates which we could stand on – awesome!
Jenny Hughes
Louise Edge remember our evening jobs at Shirehall seems like forever ago!?xx
Jenny Hughes
I worked on the 5th floor.. I was never really spooked out by it, luckily staff would still be working when I’d arrive so I would always work around them the staircase would be a little eerie when noone was around I used to find. The staff were so lovely on the education department where I worked
There are another three people that I know who are happy to talk to me in person about their time in the Shirehall and whilst it appears to be a secondary concern to my project, I still think it worth pursuing.
Very Civil Society
Also as a result of this I’ve been in touch with the Shrewsbury Civic Society and messaged them askign for some advice and some assistance. They were responsible for the exhibition “Too Good To Lose” at the Shrewsbury Bear Steps Art Gallery in July. At this exhibition they had the original architects model from Ralph Crowe’s design firm as well as photos over the years and artworks that have been inspired by the Shirehall. Im looking forward to getting a response from them, and have also been told they have another Shirehall exhibition on in March / April next year.
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