Second World War, particularly providing plastic surgery, becoming a general hospital in 1948. Although it was once one of the largest of the Northern Region services have been transferred elsewhere, most of the buildings demolished for housing and the current hospital is a much smaller group of modern buildings operating as a community hospital. Other buildings In the Victorian boom time, the village was often referred to as a town, which such enthusiasm that a Town Hall was actually built in 1860. It is one of several buildings from this period in Neogothic style. Another is Shotley Hall by Edward Robson. There are other grand houses from this period which are some of the many listed buildings in the area. While the Wesleyan Chapel was demolished, its Sunday School remains and is now the Village Hall. The clergyman's house is now known as The Manse. The 1876 Temperance Hall is now the Assembly Rooms. The Crown and Crossed Swords hotel includes what was once a separate establishment, The Commercial. Notable people Professional footballer Ben Clark was born in Shotley Bridge. England Test cricketer Paul Collingwood played for Shotley Bridge Cricket Club in his youth. The Italian poet and writer Avro Manhattan spent his final years in Shotley Bridge, his wife's home town, and is buried there. England Rugby Union international Mathew Tait was born in Shotley Bridge. References Further reading External links Shotley Bridge Directory Map and local information Shotley Bridge Conservation Area Villages in County Durham Consett