Early Structural Problems
In 1865, only 5 years after completion, there was a serious structural problem with the big chimney on the side of the cross-wing. Presumably it was originally corbelled out as shown in the engraving above and was rebuilt on the wall-head as shown in early photographs, see below. This work included iron ties through the range to strengthen this wing.
The earliest known photograph of the Guildhall above (1860’s?) pre dating:
- the positioning of the cannon in front of the building (1871)
- the cast iron ties with the four female figureheads (1875)
- the clocktower (1892)
In 1874 the front walls of the main hall were seen to be bulging and William Woodward, agent to the Priory estate and manager of the Cardigan Brickworks, recommended iron ties, which he installed in 1875. The four very decorative cast-iron plates with female heads are said to have been designed by a member of the Miles family.
(The four figureheads, restored in 2010, were thought to represent members of the Miles family)
![[:en]Welsh European Funding Office](http://www.guildhall-cardigan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/wales-european-funding.png "[:en]Welsh European Funding Office")