Staff at our village library are inviting residents and other users to mark a special milestone with them this week – the 60th anniversary of its opening.
Although never the prettiest building in Ruddington’s ‘Conservation Area’, the Church Street lending library has been serving bookworms and the wider community here since July 1963 – and most of us have become oblivious to its uninspired and dated appearance by now. It’s ironic, perhaps, that it’s ‘Inspire‘ which runs our library these days, on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council!
In fairness, Ruddington Library was extensively refurbished and updated inside and out in 2018 – when its original exterior red wall panels were painted grey to be more in tune with 21st century tastes.
The archive photograph above (courtesy of Our Nottinghamshire) indicates that the much more historic looking buildings currently housing Gino’s Ristorante and The Old Bakehouse Tearoom were, in fact, built more recently than the library. We believe they were constructed at the same time as the expanded Horspools Bakery went up on the cleared land in the foreground.
This old black and white image also shows how Ruddington Library originally had a canopy at its front entrance. Long term resident Barbara Breakwell says: “I remember the covered area at the front. It was like that when I arrived in the village in 1981. I’m not sure when it was closed in to make the library bigger.”
Barbara also found a clearer old photo, which you can view >>HERE<<.
A library spokesperson says: “We’re delighted to invite the local community to celebrate 60 years since the official opening of Ruddington Library. Join us on Thursday 6th July from 2pm until 4pm for cake and a cuppa as we mark this special occasion.”
It’s FREE to attend and no booking is required. You can just turn up!
