Nelson’s old library has been given its official relaunch after a major restoration to bring it back to life.
And the aim is to find people who will make use of it from now on.
Scores of people attended the magnificent building on Booth Street and were given both fascinating history records and great music. History tours specialist Simon Entwistle, who has featured on TV talking of history, took people around the premises and told them of its life.
He revealed lots of things, including a tragedy when it was being built before it opened in 1908. Stones fell and worker Martin Leonard died. It was reported in the Nelson Leader then, of course.
And Lancashire County Council’s community heritage manager, Fiona McIntyre, then gave people more information of how Nelson’s libraries have existed - the first in 1830. She also spoke of the stone collapse tragedy, and revealed the first librarian at Booth Street was David Rushton, who worked until he was 78.
There were songs from two Pendle Youth Choir stars, soprano Samantha Oxborough and tenor Jack Bowtell, accompanied by David Wilkinson. And there was also music from Trawden String Quartet. Pendle Movie Makers were also involved, and there were samples of both paintings and sculptures by Pendle artist Shahida Ahmed.
The library did open in 1908, but was replaced in 1974. After that it was a Pendle Council base but not longer used.
It has been given a new lease of life thanks by Pearl2. To buy or hire ring Barnfield (442300).