This year, our hosts at the library in Westfield Road are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their building, which was opened on 17th December 1962. We’re putting together a display of photos and memories to help with the celebration and we’re looking for your stories. Do you remember visiting the library as a child? Do you remember the first time you brought your children to this library. Or perhaps you’ve attended some of the events held there over the years. You may have been a regular visitor – do you remember a particular member of the staff?
Any thoughts or memories will be welcome. These are the stories that will bring the display to life. You can comment here or send an email to bchi.info@gmail.com. Or call in at the library with your memory on a piece of paper. However you get them to us we’ll try to incorporate as many as we can in the exhibit in the library during December.
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the festivities at Bletchley Library and I am sure a good time was had by all. The displays were wonderful and surprise surprise, I discovered that one of the librarians is the daughter of an old school friend whom I have recently met up with again after 55 years. Isn’t it a small world.
Bletchley Libraries
In 1894, the Mutual Improvement Society had a library of 1200 volumes at the Temperance Hall in George Street, open on Thursdays, with a yearly subscription of 2s 6d.
At about the same time, a ‘fair’ library at the Old Coffee Tavern was run by the Enginemen and Firemen’s Mutual Improvement Association. It was open to all ‘temperate’ men.
In 1919, the government authorised county councils to undertake library provision in rural areas. In 1921, Bletchley Council opened a room in the council offices for the running of a library by unpaid helpers for 4 hours a week. Apart from a change of venue, the service continued like this for the next 30 years.
It was not until 1951 that a full time branch with professional staff was opened in two front rooms at Holne Chase. This remained a ‘temporary’ site until 1962, with a move to the purpose built site in Westfield Road which opened on 17th December 1962.
I remember the Holne Chase Library well Michael, I was one of the pupils at Holne Chase School at the time. This for many of us was our ‘first introduction’ to borrowing books, the school was allowed at the time to go and use the facility and we all thought it great! Now it’s 2013 and I’ve now ventured into using the ‘e-download facility’ which the Library offers – long may our Library Service remain!
I used the library in the late 50’s. At that time the Harding family lived in the house. The two daughters were, like myself, members of the Freeman Memorial Youth Club.
3robbie3 – when were you a pupil at Holne chase?
Gosh Sandra, you’ve got me scratching my head now! I’m sure it was the early ’50s, we were the first lot that were moved from Old Bletchley CofE down to Holne Chase!
I went to Holne Chase in April/May 1952, and remember the library well. The mind plays tricks as we well know, but I seem to remember the children from Church Green Road Infants used to walk through the rec and come to Holne Chase. Were they using our canteen? Must just tell you that my Mother sent me to school on my first morning and I got there, turned round, and went home. My mother asked me why I wasn’t at school, and I said “I got there and the gates were locked”. (a complete lie) She believed me, but she made me go in the next day.