View source for Spring Hall

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox building
| name                = Spring Hall
| former_names        = 
| alternate_names     = Spring Hall Mansions
| status              = 
| image               = Spring Hall Halifax West Yorks 2094.JPG
| image_alt           = Gothic mansion with turret
| image_size          = 250
| caption             = Spring Hall in 2014
| map_type            = United Kingdom West Yorkshire
| map_alt             = Spring Hall in West Yorkshire
| map_caption         = Location in West Yorkshire
| altitude            = {{convert|128|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| building_type       = Mansion
| architectural_style = {{plain list|
* [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]]
* [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts and Crafts]]
}}
| structural_system   = 
| cost                = 
| ren_cost            = 
| client              = Tom Holdsworth (1870–1871)
| owner               = [[Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council]]
| current_tenants     = Calderdale Register Office
| address             = Huddersfield Road, [[Halifax, West Yorkshire]], HX3 0AQ, England
| coordinates         = {{coord|53|42|42|N|1|51|25|W|region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| groundbreaking_date = 
| completion_date     = Before 1614; rebuilt 1871
| renovation_date     = 2009
| height              = 
| architectural       = 
| roof                = 
| top_floor           = 
| floor_count         = 4
| floor_area          = 
| grounds_area        = 
| architect           = 
| architecture_firm   = Mallinson and [[William Swinden Barber|Barber]]
| main_contractor     = 
| awards              = 
| designations        = 
| ren_architect       = 
| ren_firm            = 
| ren_str_engineer    = 
| ren_serv_engineer   = 
| ren_civ_engineer    = 
| ren_oth_designers   = 
| ren_qty_surveyor    = 
| ren_awards          = 
| rooms               = 
| website =  [http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/advice/births-marriages-deaths/approved-venues/register-office/index.html Calderdale Register Office]
}}
'''Spring Hall''', also known as '''Spring Hall Mansions''', is a [[mansion]] situated off the Huddersfield Road, [[Halifax, West Yorkshire]]. A house had been built on the site by 1614, but it was demolished in 1870 leaving only the cellars. It was rebuilt in [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] style and completed in 1871 to a larger ground plan by architects James Mallinson and [[William Swinden Barber]] for Tom Holdsworth.

In [[World War I]], the house served as a hospital.<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /> It remained in the family's ownership until the death of Holdsworth's nephew in 1920. Subsequently, it became a boarding house,<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /> and passed through several hands until it was presented to [[Calderdale|Halifax Corporation]] in 1948. After most of the grounds had been sold off, the remainder was used for sports and recreation, the building was later used as a ballet studio.<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /> The building fell into disrepair but was renovated in 2009. As of 2014, Calderdale Register Office has officiated at wedding ceremonies in the Hall's ground floor suite since 2011,<ref>[http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/venues/springhall-suite/index.html Calderdale Council: Spring Hall ceremony suite] Retrieved 29 April 2014</ref> and the upper floors are now rented out as office space.

Although many of Barber's buildings are now [[Listed buildings in the United Kingdom|listed]], Spring Hall remains unlisted, although it retains its 17th-century cellars and many original 1871 features including the painted and galleried [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts and Crafts]] grand staircase.

==Architect==
{{Main article|William Swinden Barber}}
By 1871 when he designed this mansion in partnership with James Mallinson (1819–1884), William Swinden Barber (1832–1908) was an established and respected local architect, having designed and co-designed important public buildings and churches in the Halifax area. He was a [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] and [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts and Crafts]] architect, having connections with leading artists in these movements through mutual founder-membership of the [[Artists Rifles]].{{sfn|Gregory|2006|pp=}} Today, fifteen or more examples of his work are now [[Listed buildings in the United Kingdom|Grade II listed buildings]].<ref>See infobox in [[William Swinden Barber]] article</ref> The original plans by Mallinson and Barber of the rebuild, dated April 1870, still exist at [[West Yorkshire Joint Services|West Yorkshire Archive Service]].<ref name="1870 plan of Spring Hall" >[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CMT1%2f5%2f1%2f1%2f1421&pos=91 CMT1 - Halifax Borough (including predecessor authorities) (CMT1)- CMT1/HBI/A:354] Includes 1927 plan of Spring Hall Mansion, proving that Spring Hall and Spring Hall Mansion or Mansions are the same building. Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref>

==Structural history==
The building is first recorded as Spring Hall in 1614.<ref name="Spring Hall 1614" >[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CC00002%2f3%2f4%2f1%2f10%2f1&pos=125 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CC00002 - Halifax Antiquarian Society, records (HAS and HAS/A), HAS:725-745 (500/1)] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CC00050%2f227&pos=116 CC00050 - Finn Gledhill and Company (formerly Frederick Walker, Son and Dickie), solicitors of Halifax, records (including Halifax Piece Hall, Wadsworth family of Ovenden, Brear and Brown Ltd, brewers, Calder and Hebble Navigation, Waterhouse Charity, Lister family of Shibden Hall) (FW), FW:227] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CC00421%2f36%2f3%2f9&pos=117 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CC00421 - Halifax Antiquarian Society, Miscellaneous accumulations (HAS/B:1-37), HAS/B:36/3/9] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> It has been known as Spring Hall Mansions at least since 1927, and is not [[Listed buildings in the United Kingdom|listed]], although it is a major design by Mallinson and Barber.<ref name="1870 plan of Spring Hall" /><ref>[http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/environment/planning/contact.html Information from Calderdale Council] Retrieved 27 February 2014</ref> In 1870–1871 it was razed to ground level to enable a rebuild, leaving only the 17th-century arched cellars.<ref name="Arched ceiling" >Image of boiler room cellar with arched C17 ceiling: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 061.jpg]]</ref> They extended the ground plan and constructed the present [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] and [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts and Crafts]] mansion which was completed in 1871.<ref name="Holdsworths Spring Hall" /><ref name="Joist and lath ceiling" >Image of 19th-century [[joist]] and [[lath]] ceiling in one of the cellar rooms, showing where Mallinson and Barber extended the building plan: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 063.jpg]]</ref> The work involved an application in February 1871 from the architects to alter the fence wall between the Spring Hall estate and the Huddersfield turnpike road.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CMT1%2f5%2f1%2f1%2f1561&pos=108 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CMT1 - Halifax Borough (including predecessor authorities) (CMT1), CMT1/MU:26/551] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref>

===Exterior===
During office hours, most of the exterior and the remaining grounds are accessible to the public. Spring Hall is a large, three-storey, cellared building which was originally set in its own grounds. It has pitched roofs, [[gable]]s and tall, [[Elizabethan architecture|Elizabethan-style]] chimneys. There is a four-storey, octagonal, [[pinnacle]]d tower and a ground-floor entrance-porch at the south-east corner ''(pictured below)''. The west side, which faces the drive and the Huddersfield Road, has two non-functioning [[gargoyle]]s representing a dog and fox on the outer corners of the central bay of the first floor.<ref>Images of gargoyles: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax West Yorks 2114.JPG]], [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax West Yorks 2113.JPG]]</ref> Besides being evident from outside, these gargoyles can be seen through adjacent windows, from inside the building.<ref>Image of gargoyle seen through window: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 015.jpg]]</ref> The lintel above the ground floor window on the same bay is carved with a [[frieze]] of stylised flower motifs separated by a zigzag line, and the window below contains stone frames with double [[ogee]] curves along the top edges.<ref>Image of west ground floor window: [[:File:Spring Hall Mansion Halifax 043.jpg]]</ref> Above the south-east entrance porch is the Holdsworth family [[crest (heraldry)|crest]] carved in stone: a [[Lion (heraldry)#Lions rampant|lion rampant]], holding an opened scroll.<ref name="Holdworth crest" >[http://story.theholdsworths.org.uk/pics/GBH02crest.gif  Holdsworth family crest] Retrieved 27 April 2014. The scroll may have once held the coat of arms' motto, "Sans changer"</ref><ref>Image of carved stone lion rampant over porch entrance: [[:File:Spring Hall Mansion Halifax 021.jpg]]</ref>
<gallery class="center">
Spring Hall Mansion Halifax 003.jpg|Spring Hall in its setting
Spring Hall Mansion Halifax 014.jpg|Tower
Spring Hall Mansion Halifax 020.jpg|Porch
Spring Hall Halifax West Yorks 2114.JPG|Fox gargoyle
Spring Hall Halifax West Yorks 2112.JPG|West window lintel
</gallery>

===Interior===
[[Image:Spring Hall Halifax 005.jpg|thumb|left|Galleried grand staircase]]
Inside the building, only the porch and entrance hall are accessible to the public, during office hours.<ref name="Register Office" /> Although as of 2014 much of the interior has been adapted for office use and for the [[Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council|Calderdale]] [[Register office#United Kingdom|Register Office]], the grand Arts and Crafts wooden staircase has survived intact, along with some wall and ceiling decoration. The lower part of the staircase is visible from the entrance hall.<ref>Image showing view of staircase from entrance hall: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 005.jpg]]</ref>

The dark-varnished and galleried staircase retains faded gilding and stencilled motifs on its first floor ceiling and on the underside of the first landing, visible from the ground floor. The decorative, carved [[frieze]] around these ceilings also still has old and faded gilding.<ref name="Woman corbel" >Image showing stencilled paintings and carved frieze on staircase ceiling: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 024.jpg]]</ref> The [[newel post]] is of unusual design.<ref>Image of grand staircase newel post: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 002.jpg]]</ref> There are four carved wood and plaster [[corbel]]s supporting the first floor staircase ceiling. They represent a woman with grapes and flowers, a winged cherub, a man with harvest motifs and a full-bearded man in medieval costume, carrying scrolls.<ref name="Woman corbel"/><ref>Image of winged cherub corbel: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 025.jpg]]</ref><ref>Image of harvest sprite corbel: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 028.jpg]]</ref><ref name="Bearded man corbel" /> In the latter corbel which overlooks the stairwell, the bearded man's profile is similar to Barber's profile in [[:File:DW Wynfield WILLIAM SWINDEN BARBER.jpg|his portrait]] by [[David Wilkie Wynfield]], and his scrolls are long and slim enough to be building plans. These details beg the question as to whether it is a portrait of the architect, placed to overlook his work.<ref name="Bearded man corbel" >Image of corbel which may represent the architect, showing bearded man with scrolls like building plans: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 026.jpg]]</ref> The plaster corbels on the ground floor staircase ceiling are carved with lions, in connection with the Holdsworth family crest.<ref name="Holdworth crest" /><ref>Image of ground floor grand staircase corbel with lion head: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 006.jpg]]</ref>

[[Image:Spring Hall Halifax West Yorks 2104.JPG|thumb|right|Music room]]
Two original first-floor [[fireplace]]s survive. One of these has an over-painted stone surround and mantelpiece, and a hearth surfaced with Arts and Crafts tiles.<ref>Image of painted stone fireplace: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 017.jpg]]</ref> The other one in the music room is a large and decoratively carved oak affair, with matching doorways either side. These doors open into a [[Changing room|dressing room]], allowing the fireplace to be a backdrop for performances.<ref name="Music room" >Image showing music room fireplace and doorways: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax West Yorks 2104.JPG]]</ref> The doors and fireplace contain half-[[column]]s and [[pediment]]s in a semi-[[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style, with a carved [[frieze]] of fruit and leaves, and the helmeted head of [[Saint Cecilia|St Cecilia]], patroness of musicians.<ref>Image of music room doorway pediment: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 043.jpg]]</ref> The hearth contains a hand-made Arts and Crafts [[cast iron]] hood and moulded, coloured ceramic tiles on the surround. The hearth's floor tiles have been removed. The music room has a carved, oak [[dado (architecture)|dado]], and a decorative plaster ceiling with [[ceiling rose]]s which double as [[Ventilation (architecture)|ventilators]], and there are the original wooden beams designed to support the heavy hung ceiling.<ref name="Music room" /><ref>Image of music room dado: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 029.jpg]]</ref>

On the ground floor, a decorative plaster ceiling with layered and coloured cornice survives in the wedding room of the register office.<ref>Image of wedding room ceiling: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 047.jpg]]</ref> That room, like several others, has a large window set back into an arch, as viewed from the interior.<ref>Image of arched window recess in wedding room: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 049.jpg]]</ref> Another ground floor room also has a deep, decorative plaster cornice, but no decoration on the ceiling.<ref>Image of ceiling cornice on ground floor: [[:File:Spring Hall Halifax 051.jpg]]</ref>

In the cellar is the boiler room which was originally one of the kitchens, having the remains of a fireplace and of a [[Sink|Belfast sink]]. At least two of the rooms at this level, including the present boiler room, are the remaining cellars of the original 17th-century house. They are part of the old foundations, having arched ceilings and supporting walls. At least one other cellar room has a 19th-century flat ceiling made of wooden [[joist]]s and [[lath]]s, showing that the room is part of Barber's 1871 extension.<ref name="Arched ceiling" /><ref name="Joist and lath ceiling" />
<gallery class="center">
Spring Hall Halifax 002.jpg|Grand staircase [[newel]] post
Spring Hall Halifax 043.jpg|Carved [[pediment]] in music room
Spring Hall Halifax 048.jpg|A ground floor ceiling
Spring Hall Halifax 061.jpg|Arched 17th-century ceiling in cellar
Spring Hall Halifax 026.jpg|Corbel on grand staircase which may represent Barber
</gallery>

==Owners and residents==

===Owners and residents before 1871===
Richard Brodeley was Spring Hall's resident in 1614.<ref name="Spring Hall 1614" /> Between 1649 and 1758, Joshua Wright owned the Hall.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CC00048%2f4%2f39&pos=133 West Yorkshire Archive Services: CC00048 - Robert Parker, Halifax, attorney, accumulations (including records relating to the Cragg Vale coiners) (RP), RP:321] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> In 1761, Ben Hodgson, a yeoman, was living there.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CC00002%2f3%2f2%2f4%2f2%2f46&pos=122 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CC00002 - Halifax Antiquarian Society, records (HAS and HAS/A), HAS:358 (423)/46] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> In 1847–1848 there was a case in the County Court disputing the [[Will and testament|will]] of merchant Joseph Bates the elder, a former resident of Spring Hall. The case was brought in the [[Ecclesiastical court#Church of England|Prerogative Court of the Archbishopric of York]] by William Bates, son of Joseph Bates, against his brother Joseph Bates the younger and others.<ref>[http://www.hrionline.ac.uk/causepapers/causepaper.jsp?cause=TEST.CP.1847%2F8 Cause papers in the Diocesan Courts of the Archbishopric of York: TEST.CP.1847/8] Retrieved 23 April 2014</ref>

===Holdsworth family===
[[Image:Shaw Lodge Mills - geograph.org.uk - 948040.jpg|thumb|left|Shaw Lodge Mills]]
John Holdsworth (1797–1857), was a textile manufacturer and founder of John Holdsworth & Co Ltd, Halifax. The company has been based at Shaw Lodge Mills since 1822, and currently makes fabrics for seating on public transport. During his lifetime, John amassed extensive lands surrounding the mill.<ref name="Holdsworths history" >[http://story.theholdsworths.org.uk/abc/h.html#h003 Holdsworth family history] Retrieved 25 March 2014</ref> On his death these lands were divided for his four sons, and his third son Tom Holdsworth, who was born on 12 February 1826, inherited the portion which included the original Spring Hall building.<ref name="Holdsworths Spring Hall" >[http://story.theholdsworths.org.uk/pages/spring_hall_halifax.html The Holdworths: Spring Hall, Halifax] Retrieved 18 February 2014</ref>

In 1858, freehold estate and "land and coal" at Spring Hall were included in a sale catalogue.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=BC75022%2f1&pos=1 West Yorkshire Archive Service: BC75022 - Thornton, Allerton and Horton, sale catalogue (photocopy) (22D75)] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=BC95061%2f7%2f4%2f12&pos=2 West Yorkshire Archive Service: BC95061 - John Foster and Son Limited, worsted spinners and manufacturers, Black Dyke Mills, Queensbury, records (61D95)] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> John Foster bought land on the edge of Spring Hall estate, and this caused a problem when his planned Thornton-Bradford road threatened to impinge on Holdsworth's land.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=BC95061%2f7%2f4%2f14&pos=3 West Yorkshire Archive Service: BC95061 - John Foster and Son Limited, worsted spinners and manufacturers, Black Dyke Mills, Queensbury, records (61D95)] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref>

In 1871 Tom Holdsworth rebuilt Spring Hall to the designs of Mallinson and Barber.<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /><ref name="1870 plan of Spring Hall" /> With his three brothers he was a partner in the family business, but retired to Spring Hall in 1874 due to ill health. He mortgaged the property in 1875.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CC00770%2f2%2f29&pos=127 West Yorkshire Archive Services: CC00770 - Halifax, Northowram, Skircoat, Southowram, Soyland, ETC, miscellaneous deeds (MISC:484), MISC:484/31] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> In 1880 he added a greenhouse to Spring Hall.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CMT1%2f5%2f1%2f1%2f3480&pos=102 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CMT1 - Halifax Borough (including predecessor authorities) (CMT1), CMT1/HBI/A:2907] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> Tom died suddenly aged 56 on Sunday 1 May 1881, at the Great Northern Hotel near [[London King's Cross railway station]]. He is buried inside All Saints’ Church, [[Salterhebble]].<ref name="Holdsworths history" /> Tom's nephew, Captain Walter Holdsworth, JP (1851–1885), a partner in the business, inherited Spring Hall and retained it until his death, when he was interred alongside his uncle Tom in the family mausoleum at Salterhebble church. Walter's younger brother Clement (1855–1920) inherited the property but did not live there.

===Later owners and tenants===
[[Image:Spring Hall Mansion Halifax 004.jpg|thumb|right|Hall with 1973 sports pavilion]]
The [[Midland Railway|Midland Railway Company]] bought land adjoining the Hall in the 1890s, but did not use it.<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /><ref name="Holdsworths Spring Hall" /><ref name="Holdsworths history" /> James Booth, JP, owned it by 1905; he was a hosiery manufacturer and owner of Lee Mills at Lee Bridge.<ref name="Holdsworths Spring Hall" />

Between 1 February 1916 and 28 February 1918 the house, its annexe and the neighbouring Shaw Lodge were requisitioned as a "Convalescent and Auxiliary Hospital for injured servicemen, staffed by War and Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses." The number of patient beds varied from 84 to 220 during that time, and a total of 3,619 patients were treated.<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /><ref name="Holdsworths Spring Hall" />

Between 1919 and 1931 Spring Hall was a guest house for young men, owned by [[J. H. Whitley]]. It was put up for sale in 1928–1929, then between 1931 and 1938 the building was empty.<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CMB%2f1%2f2%2f11%2f14&pos=74 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CMB - Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, records (CMB)] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> It was purchased in 1938 by the Halifax knitting yarn firm of [[Patons and Baldwins]].<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CMB%2f1%2f2%2f11%2f33&pos=75 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CMB - West Yorkshire Archive Service: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, records (CMB)] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CMB%2f1%2f2%2f19%2f95&pos=77 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CMB - Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, records (CMB), stopping up of Spring Hall yard] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> Between 1929 and 1940 the sports recreation ground was used for matches by Halifax Rovers Amateur Football Club.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=WYAS4358&pos=148 West Yorkshire Archive Services: WYAS4358 - Halifax Rovers Amateur Football Club, records (WYC:1464), WYC:1464] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> The Hall was requisitioned again in [[World War II]].<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /> In 1948 Patons and Baldwins moved to [[Darlington]], and Spring Hall was presented to Halifax Corporation.<ref name="Potted history of Hall">[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=WYAS2702&pos=143 West Yorkshire Archive Service: WYAS2702 - Spring Hall, Skircoat, building plan (WYC:1260), WYC:1260] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140427165155/http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=WYAS2702&pos=143 |date=2014-04-27 }} Potted history of Spring Hall from 1871. Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> The Corporation used the land as a sports ground for schools, and in 1959 built the Percival N Whitley Memorial Sports Hall there.<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /><ref name="Holdsworths Spring Hall" /><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=WYAS1255a%2f1368&pos=48 West Yorkshire Archives Service: WYAS1255a - Halifax Borough Council, Engineers' Department, building plans, (additional)] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CMB%2f1%2f2%2f24%2f61&pos=82 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CMB - Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, records (CMB), Spring Hall estate] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CMB%2f12%2f147&pos=85 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CMB - Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, records (CMB), CMB/D1/DP/147 (Box 37)] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CC01353&pos=129 West Yorkshire Archive Service: biography of Percival Nathan Whitley (1893–1956)] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=WYAS4978&pos=149 West Yorkshire Archive Service: WYAS4978 - P N Whitley memorial appeal, leaflet (WYC:1527), WYC:1527] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref>  In 1973 two applications were made by B.A. Waddington, the borough architect, to build a sports pavilion in the grounds.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=WYAS3335%2f9%2f1%2f78&pos=89 West Yorkshire Archive Service: WYAS3335 - Halifax County Borough] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=WYAS3335%2f9%2f1%2f100&pos=90 West Yorkshire Archive Service: WYAS3335 - Halifax County Borough] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=WYAS184%2f1%2f1%2f101&pos=141 West Yorkshire Archive Service: WYAS184 - miscellaneous local authority plans (WYC:1088), WYC:1088/101] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> Between 1942 and 1973, cricket matches between Halifax councillors and officials were played in the grounds.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CMT1%2f2%2f4%2f4&pos=105 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CMT1 - Halifax Borough (including predecessor authorities) (CMT1), CMT1/MISC:972] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> In 1977 and 1978, plans were submitted by the council for a new leisure centre in the grounds.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=WYAS184%2f1%2f12%2f22&pos=142 West Yorkshire Archive Service: WYAS184 - miscellaneous local authority plans (WYC:1088), WYC:1088/203] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref> Between 1947 and 1992, the Halifax branch of the National Council of Women Great Britain used the hall for meetings.<ref>[http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=CC01779%2f1%2f2%2f1&pos=132 West Yorkshire Archive Service: CC01779 - National Council of Women in Great Britain, Halifax branch, records (NCW), NCW:17] Retrieved 27 April 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.ncwgb.org/history/ National Council of Women Great Britain: our history] Retrieved 29 April 2014</ref>

In 1990 the building was rented to [[Northern Ballet|The Northern Ballet Theatre Company]] for a short period.<ref name="Potted history of Hall" /> Half of the land became a running track with athletics facilities in 2007. Between 1990 and 2009, the building was neglected and eventually fell into disrepair, although the remaining grounds continued to be available for sports. Calderdale Register Office, whose address had been in Carlton Street, Halifax, since 1878, was removed to Spring Hall in April 2009.<ref name="Holdsworths Spring Hall" /><ref name="Register Office">[http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/advice/births-marriages-deaths/approved-venues/register-office/index.html Calderdale Council: Register Office] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309184924/http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/advice/births-marriages-deaths/approved-venues/register-office/index.html |date=2014-03-09 }} Contact numbers for opening times. Retrieved 9 March 2014</ref>

==Recent history==
In 2014 Ravenscliffe High School was awarded a grant of £113,882 by [[Sport England]] Inspired Facilities fund to build a sixth form and community centre in the former grounds of Spring Hall. As of April 2014, construction was expected to be completed by 2015.<ref>[http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/ravenscliffe-secure-100k-for-spring-hall-1-6566945 ''Halifax Courier'' 23 April 2014: Ravenscliffe secure £100k for Spring Hall] Retrieved 23 April 2014</ref>
[[Image:Spring Hall Halifax 024.jpg|thumb|center|500px|First floor ceiling corbel on grand staircase, showing stencilled and gilded wooden ceiling]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book | last = Gregory | first = Barry | year = 2006 | title = A History of The Artists Rifles 1859–1947 | publisher = Pen & Sword Books | place = Barnsley | isbn = 9781844155033 }}

==External links==
{{commons category|Spring Hall, Halifax}}

[[Category:Arts and Crafts architecture in England]]
[[Category:Gothic Revival architecture in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Houses completed in 1871]]
[[Category:William Swinden Barber buildings]]
[[Category:Country houses in West Yorkshire]]