I WAS interested to read in the Shuttle of Graham Kiteley's presentation of a music stand to the library in memory of his ancestor Joseph Kiteley.
It was said that Joseph had helped to raise money for the first music hall in town.In fact it is for the provision of the concert hall standing next to the town hall today that we owe a debt to him.
I hope to publish a book next month on the mansions of the carpet barons. My research has included material on Joseph, who lived at Summerbank on Bewdley Hill - now Gainsborough House Hotel - and later at The Lakes, Franche Road, where he died in 1880.
His obituary in the Shuttle of August 7, 1880 revealed that by his efforts the music hall and Corn Exchange had been built.
As Mayor of Kidderminster in 1852 Joseph responded to the lament by the vicar, the Rev Thomas Claughton, that there was no suitable concert facility in town.
It went on: "The mayor undertook to take the matter in hand, and by his exertions a company was formed and the foundation stone of the present music hall was laid in that year by Lord Ward. The building, however, was not opened until Easter 1855."
NIGEL GILBERT
Tynings Close, Kidderminster
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