Description: See also NTGM008611. The Council House replaced the old exchange building on this site and was the largest stone building which had been built in Britain since the first world war; on its completion, it was opened by the Prince of Wales, later Duke of Windsor, on 22nd. May 1929. A Souvenir gold key, used for the opening ceremony, can be seen on a plaque which is affixed to the wall in the foyer of the Council House. The Lord Mayor was Alderman Albert R. Atkey, the Architect was T.Cecil Howitt, OBE., DSO., FRIBA., and the General Contractors were F.G. Minter, of London. It it interesting to see the Prince of Wales apprearing on another picture on the web site from around this time. He made many visits to Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire, and the reason was perhaps connected with the following information. He allegedly bought Grove Farm by the River Trent near Dunkirk, known afterwards as The Prince of Wales Farm, to facilitate his affair with the married daughter of a Nottingham lace magnate. They had met whilst he was attending a Valentines Ball in London, when outside the air raid warning sounded, warning of the danger of a German Zeppelin raid. Passing by, Freda Ward (ne Birkin) took shelter at the dance, and ended up dancing the night away with Prince Edward. This was to be the start of a 'romance' that lasted until about 1933. Although starting slowly the liaison gathered intensity and although known to officialdom the facts were kept from the public at large, but by 1927 the Prince bought a local farm - Grove Farm on the banks of the River Trent at Lenton, where his liaison continued, unbeknown to the public at large who had been informed that the Prince had purchased the farm to extend his agricultural base and to provide a base for his love of riding to the hounds. It is interesting to note that when purchasing the farm the Prince was accompanied by Charles BIRKIN, father of Freda who lived closeby. It has not been established if the King knew of the events in Nottingham but it was reported that he had asked the Prince to give up his 'Nottingham pursuits' (publicly said to be hunting) and in return to use Fort Belvedere a residence within the grounds of Windsor Park. This he eventually did but his affair with Freda continued, she being responsible for much of the refurbishment at Fort Belvedere. The affair with Freda gradually waned. Freda of course, was only one of a number of ladies that the Prince 'spent time' with and eventually one - Mrs Wallace Simpson stole his heart, causing Edward to abdicate his crown. The Prince can be seen on this web-site visiting Derby and Holloway.