Flea market stall layout

City Hall was built in 1846 to house the headquarters of the local council. In the early 20th century, civic leaders decided to make the market hall at the rear of the complex available for public use. This resulted in the market hall operating as a skating rink in 1907 and then as a cinema in 1912. The market hall was then remodelled as a theatre with a stage in 1925 and, following a period of neglect in the 1960s, served as a flea market in the 1970s. This image is a sketch of the layout of stalls for the flea market which was held at City Hall on Saturday the 30th of March. Each highlighted number corresponds with a stall holder who had paid a fee to sell at the market.

Flea market stall holders

City Hall was built in 1846 to house the headquarters of the local council. In the early 20th century, civic leaders decided to make the market hall at the rear of the complex available for public use. This resulted in the market hall operating as a skating rink in 1907 and then as a cinema in 1912. The market hall was then remodelled as a theatre with a stage in 1925 and, following a period of neglect in the 1960s, served as a flea market in the 1970s. Listed here are the stall holders who had paid a fee to sell at the flea market which was held at City Hall on Saturday the 30th of March. The numbers in the first column correspond with the layout of stalls in the market hall.

Press release, March 1995

Dennis Arbon was an unwavering supporter and eventual trustee of Hall for Cornwall. His relationship with HfC began in the 1990s when he stepped in to make considerable financial donations to the theatre, its associated organisations and fundraising campaigns. He was then appointed to the venue’s board in the late 1990’s and served for four years as Chair, helping in the process to secure the future of the theatre during a period of significant financial difficulty. Dennis was awarded an MBE for his outstanding services and philanthropic contributions to the arts and the community in Cornwall in 2013.

Cornwall Motor Transport Orchestra

This photograph features Edwin John Paddy, who formed the Cornwall Motor Transport orchestra. His father was Edwin James Paddy who toured the country playing the string double bass with the famous D’Oyley Carte Opera Orchestra and the tuba for the Royal Italian Band throughout the 1880s. At the turn of the century, James was playing in the Seymour Pile Orchestra and then with his own Riviera Orchestra. The Riviera Orchestra were in great demand and regularly performed at Truro City Hall. Edwin James’ son, Edwin John, joined the Riviera Orchestra as a violinist and both father and son played a huge role in Truro’s local music scene. However, John’s progressive attitude to music caused him to eventually leave and form the Cornwall Motor Transport orchestra.

Letter to Mr and Mrs Arbon

Dennis Arbon was an unwavering supporter and eventual trustee of Hall for Cornwall. His relationship with HfC began in the 1990s when he stepped in to make considerable financial donations to the theatre, its associated organisations and fundraising campaigns. He was then appointed to the venue’s board in the late 1990’s and served for four years as Chair, helping in the process to secure the future of the theatre during a period of significant financial difficulty. Dennis was awarded an MBE for his outstanding services and philanthropic contributions to the arts and the community in Cornwall in 2013. This is the letter which was sent to Dennis and his wife after their charitable donation to the Hall for Cornwall appeal in March 1995.

Mr and Mrs Arbon and the Cornwall Youth Orchestra

Dennis Arbon was an unwavering supporter and eventual trustee of Hall for Cornwall. His relationship with HfC began in the 1990s when he stepped in to make considerable financial donations to the theatre, its associated organisations and fundraising campaigns. He was then appointed to the venue’s board in the late 1990’s and served for four years as Chair, helping in the process to secure the future of the theatre during a period of significant financial difficulty. Dennis was awarded an MBE for his outstanding services and philanthropic contributions to the arts and the community in Cornwall in 2013.