THERE was a large and representative gathering at Beoley on Saturday afternoon, the occasion of the formal opening of the eagerly awaited new reading room and library.

The building itself is of red brick. It consists of a reading room, 23ft by 20ft, a reference room, attendants room and borrowing library.

It is arranged so that it can be formed into one large room for lectures if so required. It is warmed with open fires and radiators. The fittings are of polished canary wood.

The library was built by Mr W Jackson from designs by Mr W Edward and cost £500.

Inside the building, opening proceedings were presided over by Councillor Olivieri. He was, he said, pleased at so many people present, the attendance showing that the library would be very well patronised.

A vote of thanks was later given to Mr TE Field, of Redditch, for his kindness in donating the site for the library to be built on.