Library History

In 1705. My father, Sir Harry Verney, found the playground used as a bull-ring and the in school ruins, he repaired and floored it in 1838. In 1841 he bought the adjourning property from Mr. Grace, pulled down that house, and built the schoolmasters residence. In 1856 Lady Dunsany, aunt to my mother, Elizabeth Lady Verney, added an additional class-room to the single room of which Chaloner’s School had hitherto correlated. In 1901 the Public Libraries’ Act was adopted in the parish, and the Library was immediately opened in a small villa over the way, Elm Villa which fortunately chanced to be empty ; the disused school-buildings were sold to me by the trustee ; they have now been added to and adapted for their new purpose. In about ten (days’ time there will be a meeting of the Parish Council, when these premises will be hired at a nominal rent for parish use, and the Council will undertake their control and management on behalf of the parishioners. The only condition we make is that they shall be available impartially for all, without distinction of religious or political opinions. Many questions and difficulties will from time to time arise, and these ought to be determined by a body representative of the inhabitants. We have entire confidence that under their rule this Library will be a centre of enjoyment, of progress, and of light. It is a happy circumstances that our opening has fallen on All Saints’ Day, which has been observed as the Ist of Nov. ever since the year A.D. 834. We have Saints living in England to-day whose names are as sacredly venerated as there of any holy men or women of old ; specially connected with this Library is the name of Florence Nightingale, whom we regard as our pious founder, and whose portrait and autograph are in the adjoining room. When we enter these doors we leave outside all the differences that divide us ; we unite in being proud of our village and our parish, and jealous of its goal name. A book on our shelves thus sums up the sentiment of All Saints’ Day : Its great idea is the unity of Christians of all ages, countries, and races in Christ.” Sir !sambaed Owen then spoke on ” The place of Public Libraries in Village Life.” He said this was not the first time he had hail the pleasure of being present at the opening of a village library, as he had very pleasant recollections of his previous visit, when a similar institution was opened in the adjoining village of Botolph Claydon. And when be was retiring from that function, a Steeple Claydon man ventured the prophecy that it would not be long before they had a similar building at’ Steeple Claydon, and that had come true. And he trusted that the time would not be far distant when every village would process such a fine hall and public library as this one, or at any rate a building in which they could assemble together and discuss the topics of the hour and read the papers and books. to be continued…

BICESTER HERALD  FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER 1902