old library

H

hammerman

Active Member
Hi Hammerman here,
working away quite a bit at the moment and rarely get in to town......have seen that the old library is up for sale. I was always led to believe that the library existed due to funding from the Carnegie Foundation given to the people of stafford for learning/education and as such could not be sold etc....anyone else think this was the case....if so how come the council can/are/have sold the building without asking people of Stafford....would appreciate comments/feedback, thanks
 
Ecker

Ecker

Well-Known Forumite
According to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Carnegie_libraries_in_Europe

Stafford does not appear in the list of libraries in England. They do say, however, that the
list is not complete.
 
Gadget

Gadget

Well-Known Forumite
All i know is they left a lovely plant in there to die grrrr. One of my bug bears shops shut down and noone takes the plants so they die :(
G x
 
S

sandy

A few posts under my belt
The well-researched and highly informative Staffs Past Track* suggests the Old Library was built in 1913 - and was indeed constructed using Carnegie Trust funding.

In regards to how the building will now be used and the matter of the original funding obligations, I will make a Freedom of Information request to the Council and then post a further response here. I wonder if it's coincidental that the new year will mark 99 years since it's creation - a 99-year stipulation perhaps?

* I couldn't post a link to the picture and description here (copyright issues by the look of it) but if you want to visit www.staffspasttrack.org.uk and then make a 'text search' on 'New Free Library Stafford', you should find two photos.
 
H

hammerman

Active Member
thanks Sandy, would you let me know about the FOI request.....think it is deplorable that the Council can sell off 'our' assets willy nilly and put back in their coffers.....we will see no tangible benefit from the sale methinks!!!...of course they will conjur some flim flam...but if i am right that money was given to us!!!....apologies if appears ranting but one of my pet hates...personally think SBC/SCC is on the whole bl**dy useless.......they cant even save a plant :)))
 
Withnail

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
Could you also ask what happened to the Wragge collection that used to be housed there?

I have only dim recollections of it, but it was likewise bequeathed to us and i'm not sure where it is. :?:

Ditto on the letting us know what response you get on the FOI request - three resounding cheers to your good self, sandy.
 
Withnail

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
I said:
Could you also ask what happened to the Wragge collection that used to be housed there?
Click to expand...
I have just been doing a little digging and found this,

Notable South Australians

You have to scroll down to p 96 (about a third of the page down) to find this

Clement L. Wragge, F.R.G.S., F.R. Met. Society

So exten-
sive had his museum become that, after returning to Eng-
land by the ** Hesperus" in 1878, he offered it to the town of
Stafford. It was accepted, and later a fine building was
erected for its reception, adjoining the Borough Hall. The
corporation of Stafford hold the " Wragge Museum" on lease
for twenty-one years, Mr. Wragge subscribing towards its
maintenance, and being honorary curator ; and if during that
time due care is taken of the collection, it is to become the

property of the town and county of Staflford(sic), Mr. Wragge
being life trustee.
Click to expand...
It goes on to say
To give a full description of all that he has accomplished in the cause
of science would in these pages be simply impossible ; but
sufficient has been educed to show that Mr. Wragge is no
ordiuary(sic) man, and
one ever ready to impart to others the out-
come of his experiences, gained often under the most unto-
ward circumstances, without fee or reward. He is just the
class of men we want in South Australia, and though at
present visiting Queensland, it is hoped that he will ultimately
return to make this colony his permanent home.
Click to expand...
Enough to set even the stiffest of upper lips off on a bit of a tremble...
 
Withnail

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
sandy said:
In regards to how the building will now be used and the matter of the original funding obligations, I will make a Freedom of Information request to the Council ...
Click to expand...
I have just sent an email to the Financial Controller of the Carnegie Trust to ask whether SCC are in a position to sell, and will likewise keep everyone informed with any answers i may receive.
 
T

Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
I heard it was going to become a themed restaurant with each room serving different types of food - e.g. asian, chinese, indian, etc.
 
basil

basil

don't mention the blinds
There's a photograph on wall in The Sun showing residential property betwixt the church and library.......
 
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