Library to close.

Tealeaf · 11-01-2006, 09:53

There was a meeting of Church Kirk Residents Association last night in which the news was given that the County Council intend to close Church Library in May of this year. Naturally, those attending this meeting were up in arms about this. The excuse given for the closure was the low usage of the library but I suspect the real reason is cost cutting and centralization, which as we know from other public services, usually results in greater costs and poorer delivery.

I know we don’t have much left in Church now, other than a few eyesores, so this is going to come as a real blow. However, it may well be that other libraries in Hyndburn – other than Accy – may be about to suffer the same fate. Does anyone know anything else about the Council’s Library policy for Hyndburn?

Doug · 11-01-2006, 10:40

That’s bad news Tealeaf. I wonder if this will result in another hole in the ground or the building just becoming derelict.

mantrabooks · 11-01-2006, 10:53

In Ray Bradbury's classic 'Fahrenheit 451' The Fireman Captain Beatty explains it this way, "Give the people contests they win by remembering the words to more popular songs.... Don't give them slippery stuff like philosophy or sociology to tie things up with. That way lies melancholy."
In Bradbury's future, books are illegal and happily so--citizens are too busy watching their wall-sized televisions and listening to their in-ear "seashell" radios to care about the loss of good literature.
By the way our TV is 36" widescreen with DVD and surround sound - yippy!

Tealeaf · 11-01-2006, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

That’s bad news Tealeaf. I wonder if this will result in another hole in the ground or the building just becoming derelict.

It is not a very attractive building so it will probably end up being pulled down but with some of the rubble left behind in order to compliment the land across the road. I believe that to be England's oldest derelict site and, of course, a visual metaphor for HBC.

mez · 11-01-2006, 10:56

still prefare a book ... what a disaster for church as you say "t" there aint much else in church....thought they were trying to revamp it with the canal.etc:?hope no more close am a member of ossy library but not heard anything.

Doug · 11-01-2006, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

It is not a very attractive building so it will probably end up being pulled down but with some of the rubble left behind in order to compliment the land across the road. I believe that to be England's oldest derelict site and, of course, a visual metaphor for HBC.

I’d agree with that Tealeaf, it’s the remains of the school I find most depressing, they could have at least cleared the footings and levelled the land and put it under a decent bit of turf rather than the bomb site look that been left to us. It’s an insult to the generations of us that went there.

I heard recently that a family friend who as lived in the same house for near on sixty years is looking to move because of the state of the area.

SPUGGIE J · 11-01-2006, 14:25

Its a sad day when a comminity is about to loose one of its few high spots because the council is hellbent on centralisation. What is to happen to those of the older generation who like to read and borrow books? Are the expected to go into Accy to get a book? Would Ozzy library be next and if there are ones in GH and Rishton will they suffer the same fate? Again it appears to be sod what the public want lets give them what we want and if they dont like it then its tough! Better leave it there before I start off on one.

garinda · 11-01-2006, 14:44

I didn't even know there was a library in Church.

It's closure is very sad.

Doug · 11-01-2006, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I didn't even know there was a library in Church.

It's closure is very sad.

Maybe we should have another walk around Church so that you can acquaint yourself. I’m surprised at you not knowing but then again you’re a little goblin aren’t you. It’s the single storey red break building on Library Street. As Tealeaf say’s, It was never a pretty building. Post war I think? But then church was never a pretty town. There’s a hell of a lot of my family history in and around Church over four family branches. It might not go back for in history maybe 200 years.

garinda · 11-01-2006, 16:33

You're right.

If I was resident of Church I'd be up in arms, partly because Church is very often lumped in with Ossy, yet deserves to have it's own unique identity. After all Church Kirk was the most important landmark in the area when Oswaldtwistle was little more than a bog.

By the way I'm not a Gobbinlander, as I was born in Whalley.

Tealeaf · 11-01-2006, 16:58

Anyway, it looks like Church will be one of five libraries to close in Lancs, according to today's LET website:

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/la...TTOPNEWS0.html

Church is the only one within Hyndburn. Looks like we've been pi**ed on again.

Doug · 11-01-2006, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

You're right.

If I was resident of Church I'd be up in arms, partly because Church is very often lumped in with Ossy, yet deserves to have it's own unique identity. After all Church Kirk was the most important landmark in the area when Oswaldtwistle was little more than a bog.

By the way I'm not a Gobbinlander, as I was born in Whalley.

I always thought you was................

Doug · 11-01-2006, 17:28

So other than the Kirk, what's left?

SPUGGIE J · 11-01-2006, 18:12

The Stag Welli Pioneer etc and the sports centre.

Tealeaf · 11-01-2006, 18:20

The new fire station is technically in Church, but the sports centre is technically in Accy, although everyone, including the council, assumes it is in Church. I assume it is because the entrance (off Henry Street), but not the building, is in Church.