Earlston's Reading Room – its past and its future

In the 19th century Reading Rooms were a symbol of  Victorian self-help and the  desire for education.   They were warm, dry and largely free,  where you could read newspapers, and borrow books.

In 1852 a meeting was held in Earlston to gauge support for a Reading Room  at which Major Baillie of Mellerstain offered an initial donation of fifty  books for the library.  His offer was unanimously accepted, a committee formed with Major Baillie as President  and a Librarian duly appointed as manager. Prominent  members of the local community   were willing  to serve and included over the years,   Mr Colesworth and later Colonel Hope of Cowdenknowes.  Mr Aitkenhead (headmaster), Rev. Mair, (minister), Robert Riddle (surgeon),  Charles Wilson (manufacturer) and Adam Rodger (builder)  

The conditions laid down make fascinating reading with details of the behaviour expected of users. 

That the inhabitants of Earlston and its vicinity be invited to become members, without distinction  as to religious denomination, or political opinion, and whether they do or do not belong to any abstinence or temperance society.

The Reading Room and Recreation Room shall be open every day except Sundays and New Year's Day from 9am to 10pm.

Visitors shall be allowed to use the Reading Room  on payment of 6d per visit. 

That the newspapers and other publications shall be such as may be generally  useful and acceptable.  Works gifted or loaned should be of a good moral tendency and be approved of by the committee.  

That no intoxicating liquor be consumed on the  premises on any pretence whatever

Members will not be allowed to whistle or sing or make any undue noise or run up and  down the stairs or rooms,  or quarrel with one another  or use bad language to the annoyance of other members.  

The Recreation Room, too, had its strict rules:

Members under  sixteen years of age shall not be permitted to play Billiards or Snooker, and any person under that age found handling cues or balls, or touching the table...will be prohibited from entering the Recreation Room for three months.

Betting or playing for money is strictly forbidden

A fine of £2 will be exacted  for cutting, tearing, or burning the cloth or billiard table. 

Players will not be allowed to smoke. They must also see that their hands,  are clean,  Members will not be allowed  to use the billiard table while wearing overalls.

Players on no account are  allowed to get  on the table. They must have at least one foot on the floor. 

Seven years later, a  report in the "The Southern Reporter"  of April 7,  1859 reported:

"118 people have availed themselves of the privilege of membership   and that it was gratifying to note the success of this useful institution which affords so many advantages at a very moderate cost. Members have access to the Library of up to 700 volumes, and to the reading room which has a regular supply of daily and weekly newspapers and periodicals, all for the all but nominal charge of 7d per quarter."

The Reading Room remained a private subscription library, not supported by  any charitable grant. By  1955 the subscription had risen to 10 shillings per annum.  Old newspapers were sold each quarter  and fund raising events regularly took place with whist drives, concerts,  in 1898 a major bazaar and in 1924 "a theatrical and  vaudeville entertainment".  In the latter years, the local Camera Club held meetings there. 

A Centenary Celebration was held in Red Lion Hotel on 17th June  1952 at  which the the Earl of  Haddington presented a framed  copy of the National Covenant with the signatures of the people of Earlston, who signed it  in 1638, at Greyfriars in Edinburgh.  It was also  noted that the Library had a number of valuable possessions including  a lock of Sir Walter Scott's hair and his autograph;  and that the Reading Room had risen from a humble two roomed, thatched building to the impressive building occupying a central position in Earlston Square.

The Latter Years  

The 1970's saw the opening of a Public Library in the school offering a new free facility to local readers. With the death of Reading Room secretary, John Weatherly, and all the Trustees, no-one was left to take on the ownership and management of the facility. Hence its sorry state today. 

Last month a packed public meeting was held in the village at which Council Convenor David Parker gave a presentation on the Reading Room and outlined options for the way forward., with a a steering group being set up to look at revitalising this once important symbol of Earlston's heritage.

For more see: http://auldearlston.blogspot.co.uk