Centenary celebrations at Appleton-le-Moors reading room (From Gazette & Herald)
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Centenary celebrations at Appleton-le-Moors reading room
12:29pm Wednesday 30th November 2011 in News
Henry Iles holds a cake made by Maggie Tebb to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the reading room
A VILLAGE reading room which was originally constructed to keep workers out of the pub has celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The prefabricated building in Appleton-le-Moors was opened in 1911 for agricultural workers who lodged in the area.
Committee member James Hall said it had provided a snooker table and newspapers. “The aim was to keep them out of the pub, but I think they went there first and then for a drink," he said.
“As the number of workers dropped off the rooms fell into disrepair, but in recent years it has been given a new lease of life."
Mr Hall said a grant from the National Park Authority eight years ago had enabled the committee to have the reading rooms re-painted and repaired.
“It is now used by a lot of smaller groups, including the book club and parish council," he added.
To mark the anniversary, an exhibition was held with memorabilia from the village. “We put up photographs, newspaper cuttings and other items which took local people back in time,” Mr Hall said.
