The Council Chamber occupies one of the original 1873 courtrooms and was first used for a Council meeting on 7 April 1937.
At the back of the Chamber is a raised public gallery with a separate entrance.
The side and rear walls are a fitting showcase for a range of legal documents marking key events in the history and growth of the Borough, including the various Charters and Grants of Arms.
The oak panels behind the Mayor's chair list the names of all the Mayors of Bolton since 1838.
A banner bearing the current Arms of Bolton in appliqué is displayed directly above the Mayor's chair.
A ceremonial mace is placed in front of the Mayor's chair when the Council is in session.
The chair itself bears the original, unofficial Arms of Bolton and is inscribed with the words "Wisdom Is Better Than Rubies" - a Biblical verse:
"For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." Proverbs 8:11
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The same but different...
A photograph (left) taken in the late 1920s of the first Council Chamber, which is now the Banqueting Hall. Most of the original furnishings were renovated and used for the current Chamber.
The elephant(s) in the room...
What the exterior of Bolton Town Hall lacks in elephants is more than made up for on the inside, and nowhere more than in the Council Chamber. They are everywhere - carved, printed and embroidered!
If you are counting, don't forget the ones on the Coats of Arms!
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