Barrett Browning Institute

Reading Room and Library

Chronological extracts from Ledbury TILLEY's Almanacks - Photographs & Memories

The Library contains upwards of 1000 volumes, and additions are made to it from time to time. There are about 30 Newspapers and Periodicals supplied to the Reading Room. The Reading Room and Chess Room are open from 9 am to 10.30 p.m., daily, except Sundays. The Library is open on Wednesdays from 8 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday Afternoons from 3 to 4.

Strangers to the town and neighbourhood may use the Reading Room by paying one penny per visit. A box is placed in the Room for receiving these contributions and any other subscriptions.

Terms of Membership : Honorary Members, 10/6; Ordinary, 5/-; Juniors (under 18), 2/6 per annum.

1896

February 5 Col. LUARD, Local Government Inspector, held an inquiry at the Barrett Browning Memorial Institute in consequence of the Ledbury Urban Council having applied to the Local Government Board for sanction to borrow £300 for works of sewage.

October 6 Mr. R. MEECH, of Broadwindsor, Dorset, gave two lectures on poultry keeping, under the auspices of the Technical Instruction Committee of the County Council, in the Barrett-Browning Institute.

October 20 Mr. MEECH gave two more lectures on rational poultry keeping.

November 25 Mrs. W. RUSSELL, of the Woodlands, died at the age of 57 years. By her will the deceased made several munificent bequests to Ledbury, including £100 to the Ledbury Reading Room. It will be remembered that she presented the four-dial clock to the Barrett Browning Memorial Clock Tower.

1897

President - Mr. Michael BIDDULPH, M.P. Chairman of Committee - Rev C Y POTTS. Hon Sec Mr. T S S GARDNER.

LEDBURY CHESS CLUB - In connection with the Ledbury Reading Room and Library, all members of which are eligible at a subscription of l/- for the season.

President - Mr. T S S GARDNER. Hon Sec Mr. H GARROOD, Southend, Ledbury.

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT - Mr Jesse GARROOD (Chairman), Mr C W STEPHENS (Hon Sec), Lady Henry SOMERSET, Lady Elizabeth BIDDULPH, Rev Preb C E MADDISON GREEN, Rev C Y POTTS, Messrs M BIDDULPH, M P, J BALLARD, W H BEBBINGTON, J BOYD, H BRAY, A BROWN, F BURDEN, J DAVIES, J D EVANS, J FLOYD, W FORDER, E FREEMAN, T S S GARDNER, H GRIFFITHS, W HAMPTON, W H HATTON, H HODGES, E MADDISON, W MADDERS, H MORGAN, J S PARKES, G W PAUL, G W SUTER, and T C WEBB.

March 31 at the quarterly meeting of the Reading Room and Library, Mr. C. W. STEPHENS asked the committee to allow a cabinet bookcase to stand in the room for storing objects of interest in connection of the life and work of the BROWNINGS, and this was granted.

September 30 the annual general meeting of the Reading Room and Library was held, when a letter from the executors of the late Mrs. RUSSELL, of Woodlands, was read, which accompanied a cheque of £100 left as a legacy by Mrs. RUSSELL.

November 13 Mr. W. de WINTON, of Haverfordwest, addressed a large meeting in the Barrett Browning Institute on the claims of The Queen Victoria Sustentation Fund.

November 18 in the afternoon Mr. J. HARTREE gave his second Lecture (this time in the Barrett Browning Institute) on “Monks and Monastic Architecture," under the presidency of Lady Elizabeth BIDDULPH, who gave an interesting address.

1898

January 17 Mr. Francis BOND. M.A., A.R.I.B.A., gave the first of a course of six fortnightly lectures on Gothic Architecture, at the Barrett Browning Institute, the subject being “Ecclesiastical Architecture as an Expression of Doctrine and Ritual.”

February 14 Mr. BOND gave his third lecture.

February 21 The Annual Meeting of the Ledbury Cycling Club was held at the Barrett Browning Institute

February 28 Mr. BOND gave his fourth lecture.

March 14 Mr. BOND gave his fifth lecture.

March 28 Mr. BOND gave his last lecture.

June 27 The Quarterly Meeting of the Ledbury Reading Room and Library was held, when it was resolved to form a Debating Club.

September 29 The Annual Meeting of the Ledbury Reading Room and Library was held.

October 20 Mr. CRANSTON commenced his series of lectures on Fruit Culture.

October 24 The first debate, under the auspices of the Ledbury Reading Room and Library was held, the subject being, "Are we better than our forefathers?"

December 13 An inquiry was held at the Barrett Browning Institute by Col. LANGTON COKE, respecting the application of the Ledbury Urban Council to borrow £5,500 for works of the proposed water scheme. There was no opposition.

1900

January 24 First Oxford University Extension Lecture on “Johnson and his Circle,” by Mr. Ashe KING, at Barrett Browning Institute.

November 8 S.P.G. Bicentenary Meeting at Barrett Browning Institute.

November 14 At a largely attended Meeting held at The Barrett Browning Institute it was decided to hold a Public Dinner in honour of Mr. M. BIDDULPH, on his retirement from Parliament after representing the County of Hereford for 35 years. It was subsequently decided that there should be a County Presentation of a piece of Plate on the same occasion. The function was axed to take place at The Feathers Hotel on Friday, January 4th, 1901.

December 5 Interesting Debate at the Barrett Browning Institute on "How to Improve the Trade of Ledbury."

1901

January 21 Dr. FISON’S first lecture of the series on the “Sun and Stars.”

February 14 Annual Meeting of the Ledbury Cycling Club at the Barrett Browning Institute.

March 7 Temperance Conference at the Barrett Browning Institute.

March 12 Distribution of Certificates to Science and Art and Shorthand Students by Mrs. BICKHAM, at the Barrett Browning Institute.

September 25 Public Meeting at the Barrett Browning Institute under the auspices of the Science and Art and Technical Education Classes; the classes resumed.

October 2 Annual Meeting of the Ledbury Reading Room and Library.

October 29 The Rev. C. Y. POTTS lectured on "Reminiscences of English History in the 19th century," in connection with the Ledbury Debating Society, at the Barrett Browning Institute.

1902

January 14 Mr. W. K. STRIDE commenced his series of Oxford University Lectures at the Barrett Browning Institute.

September 30 Reading Room Annual General Meeting.

November 14 Lecture by the Rev. C. Y. POTTS on “Earthquakes and Volcanoes" to the Members of the Reading Room and Library.

December 2 Address by Mr. James DAWES on “Fruit Culture,” under the auspices of the Ledbury Reading Room and Library. Suggestions for the starting of a cider factory, a jam factory, and a general depot for fruit.

1903

July 21 Inquiry at Barrett Browning Institute re Secondary Education.

1904

October 21 Annual Meeting of Science and Art and Shorthand Classes at the Barrett Browning Institute; Prizes presented by Lady BIDDULPH.

1905

February 3 Annual Meeting of the Subscriptors and Donors to the Ledbury Cottage Hospital, Barrett Browning Institute.

1907

June 28 Mr. C. W. STEPHENS appointed Chairman of the Ledbury Reading Room and Library Committee in place of the late Rev. C. Y. POTTS.

October 17 Ruri-decanal Conference at Barrett Browning, Institute.

November 8 Ledbury Debating Society formed.

1910

May 26 Mr. Thomas BADSEY, died, aged 89 years. He left legacies of £200 to Ledbury Cottage Hospital and £50 to the Ledbury Reading Room and Library.

1929

September 30 Ledbury Reading Room and Library annual meeting.

1930

September 24 Annual meeting of Ledbury Reading Room and Library.

December 4 A very successful bridge drive was held at the Church Room, in connection with the Ledbury Reading Room and Library.

1931

February 9 At the annual meeting of the Ledbury branch of the Women’s Unionist Association held at the Barrett Browning Institute, Lady BIDDULPH was re-elected president for the coming year.

April 10 Quarterly meeting or the members of Ledbury Reading Room and Library. A very satisfactory state of affairs was reported and the accounts showed a credit balance of £11 16s 7d on the years working.

October 2 The annual meeting of members of Ledbury Reading Room and Library was held at the Barrett Browning Institute.

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