Buildings from the Temperance movement explored

A new study has been published in a book exploring the architectural legacy of the Temperance movement.

Temperance was a 19th Century social movement that looked to combat alcohol's devastating effects in England.

The study by Historic England and Liverpool University Press explored the buildings left behind by the movement.

Two buildings in Cornwall, the Teetotal Hall in Penryn and the former Lamb Coffee Tavern in Redruth, and two buildings in Devon, the former Raleigh Hotel in Dartmouth and the Royal Albert Temperance Hall in South Molton, were included.

Historic England said at the height of the Temperance movement, between 1880 and 1914, there were as many as 500 Temperance hotels nationwide but most of the buildings vanished from from both the landscape and collective memory.

It said many of the movement's buildings were demolished, numerous examples survived in adapted uses such as village halls, community centres, churches, even private homes.

It added their Temperance heritage was often unknown to current users.

Historic England's Andrew Davison said: "The Temperance movement was strongest in industrial parts of the country. Cornwall, with its mines and quarries, was a stronghold of the movement.

"Temperance halls survive in several places in Cornwall and Devon, with a fine example, the uniquely named Teetotal Hall of 1852, now owned by Penryn Town Council."

He added Cornwall had its own Temperance religious movement, the Teetotal Wesleyan Methodists and several of their meeting houses survive.

"Several buildings once used as Temperance hotels survive on Dartmoor and in towns such as Penzance," he added.

Davison said: "This research has revealed one of the most remarkable but forgotten chapters in English social and architectural history.

"Every surviving Temperance building connects us to ancestors who believed passionately that they could change society for the better."

Historic England encouraged members of the public to contribute their knowledge of Temperance buildings across the country through the Missing Pieces project.

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