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THE MANOR VIEW |
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This is the official Newsletter of The Users & Friends of Manor House Library |
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Glorious Spring Edition
2010 |
March 2010 |
VIEW FROM THE CHAIR
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This picture was published in the South London Press on Tuesday |
In the Baring Room, 1st December 2009 |
The pictures show from Left to Right; The Manor House, sketched in 1840, from
what is now Pentland House, but then Manor House Garden.
Francis Thornhill Baring, perhaps painted at one of the windows of The Manor
House, about 1842, and who lived there until 1846. Francis Thornhill Baring
was Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Lords Russell and Melbourne Parliamentary
Cabinets and later became First Lord of the Admiralty.
Sir Francis Baring, co-founder of Barings Brothers & Co. (Barings Bank)
and owner of The Manor House from 1796 until his death at the House in 1810.
The upper smaller picture shows Francis Thornhill as a boy, who was the grandson
of Sir Francis.
The lower smaller picture shows his Aunt, Harriet, Sir Francis’s eldest
daughter. Harriet later married Charles Wall, who became a fourth (extra familial)
partner in the Bank for two four-year terms. Mr. Wall managed the bank’s
far eastern portfolio.
Voice from the Chair
Ladies and gentlemen, Congratulations are now in order. We have been around for quite some time. In fact, we are approaching our tenth anniversary. Back in November 1999, when we were threatened with closure along with Blackheath Village Library, with a plan to merge us and move us to Leegate Centre, we stood up for our rights and fought them (and the plan) off. Now, however, we have a brand spanking newly refurbished library with increased footfall and brighter lighting! We have disabled access too. All excellent products of “People Power”! So, you know it can be done. Sadly, a new difficulty now exists for Blackheath Village Library. See more below! |
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In 2004 we were offered a grant from The Baring Foundation which we, as a Committee, decided to use to reflect the 105 years of ownership of The Manor House by the Baring family. Hence the pictures. All the items used were obtained from the Baring Archive with top quality reproduction being catered for. The Listing status of the House and its newly refurbished décor prevents nameplates being stuck to the walls. We are working on a Lectern facility which may suffice. Thus far, we have not spent an enormous amount of the Baring Foundation Grant, and believe we may have sufficient to invest in an Historical Heritage Board, intended to link the Baring Room with the history of the house itself. As back-up funding we applied last year for a Local Community Grant. Happily we were successful, obtaining a further £890. We intend the Heritage Board to be sited outside the grounds so as not to interfere with Council intentions within. We are working closely with the Council at this moment. Any surplus cash from these two grants will be put forward as ‘seed money’to produce an historical leaflet for local distribution, particularly schools. We have quotes for a full colour, double-sided leaflet which is appropriate.
London Libraries Change:
www.mlalondon.org.uk
www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/..../londonlibrarychangeprogramme
Is there no end to the change to which we and our services are subjected? As
the Chinese are said to say, it is a bit of a curse to live in interesting
times, so it could be blamed on the upheavals caused by the Age of Technology …
Back in her chair at the DCMS, Margaret Hodge MP is once again overseeing the
public library service, well, for at least another couple of months ….
The London Libraries Change Programme, started in 2007, supported by Capital
Ambition, to adopt a pan-London libraries
approach to deal with value for money issues. A feasibility study followed
its report
Aims:
1. To bring all London Boroughs up to the level of the best
2. To reduce overheads and improve services through improved processes, increased
efficiency and shared services
3. A systematic approach to having the right staff and skills in place to engage
better with communities. Moving forward, the Programme aims to make a substantial
change in the structure of London Libraries.
If you still have the will to live, no doubt you will have noticed the glaring
omission, who asked us, the user on the ground? We already have a huge democratic
deficit in the provision of our services, we just pay the bills. If the service
is provided London wide there will be even less of an opening for residents
to have an effect on those providing that service. Who will be accountable?
The bottom line is that in the scheme of things the public library service
costs peanuts. Any savings are therefore small. Why not keep services “ticking
over”?
Crisis in the public finances:
Most people are acutely aware of the financial crisis faced by the country
that has to be dealt with at some point. Of course, this is NOT the first time,
but, cutting front line services, yet again, is surely not the only answer.
Unison invites Mrs. Hodge into its den
February 11th 2010 saw a great many library workers and users muster at the
British Library for The People’s Inquiry (into the Public Library Service),
organized by UNISON.
The panel comprised Sue Townsend, Joe Craig, Ann Thwaite, Michael Rosen and
Rachel Cooke –the campaigning Observer journalist. Sue MacGregor more
than ably chaired the meeting (she should run master classes …..)
Peter and Pat attended and Pat was given the chance to speak, as well as contribute
to a vox pop! It was an excellent event and supported by Early Day Motion 848
in the House of Commons.
It was a great shame that Mrs. Hodge did not match up in any way, shape or
form. In fact, she actually started her speech by reminding us all of the problems
she had in her own constituency with the BNP. She was unable to remember the
1964 Public Libraries Act, guaranteeing statutory provision of the service,
and finally she had supported the closure of a library in Islington when she
had been leader of the Council. Thanks Unison!
Local News 0°
The Pay-Off For Being An Active Friend & User In Your Local Public Library
Service
Friday 19th February 2010 at 7.30 pm was Showtime For The Newly Refurbished
West Greenwich Library –a Grade II listed Carnegie library building.
After Greenwich Council attracted
a poor Best Value Library Review and following advice from its officers
a decision had to be made. It was decided to invest
in the service. Funding of £1.3m was “found”, (we heard
whispers about the source but need it confirmed.) This was to cover 5 libraries
in the Greenwich Borough service. The Eltham Library has already been renovated
and modernised, re-opening in early 2008 to great acclaim and increased usage
from its High Street site. It remains in its old building (Grade II listed)
but was successfully incorporated into the newly built College and Leisure
Centre.
With this under her belt, Julia Newton, Head of Community Services, plus the
considerable help of her deputy, Steve Woods, General Manager of Libraries,
began the project. Councillors, Friends and Users from the 5 libraries were
involved; Eltham, West Greenwich, New Eltham, the Slade and Blackheath.
Please visit the “new”West Greenwich Library if you are in the vicinity. See what is achievable in a beautiful Carnegie building, now providing a twenty first century library. The welcoming atmosphere, space and light say it all. The building has lost none of its heritage, charm and character. All have been appropriately featured and incorporated into the new facilities
We were fortunate to be invited to this preview by the Friends of West Greenwich. Foremost in all our minds were thoughts of how Phyllis Harwood, longtime chair of the Friends, would have loved this outcome and felt vindicated in her unerring support for libraries, especially West Greenwich. It was a great sadness that she died before Christmas, but what a tribute is the restored library to her and the Friends. In fact, the Friends were ecstatic!
Once the councillors took the blinkers off and voted for some financial support the officers were available to think out the plans and help achieve the best for the building and the local community.
EAST GREENWICH LIBRARY
Now, we travel East down the High Street to East Greenwich Library, another
beautiful red-brick Carnegie building. It is almost under the A2 flyover,
with Tunnel Avenue behind. Fortunately there is a good crossing facility
and although close to the Peninsula area it could be a cultural jewel. The
small library facility shares the building with the Music College. There
is plenty of youth about!
There are also the Friends of East Greenwich Library, still hanging in there
to support this library presence.
Opened in 1905 it was under threat of closure about 15 years ago. Richard Bartlett
took exception to this and established a Friends group. This helped to keep
the library open and with a future. Eventually it was decided to re-locate
the library into a new facility of housing and retail on the former Greenwich
District Hospital site, across the road. Users did not really want to leave
their historic premises, and are still there. Sadly Richard died, but he would
be pleased at the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. The new development
has still not taken place. Consequently chickens started to come home to roost
over maintenance that had not been done in the Carnegie building. Flooding
and drains are proving a real problem.
On Monday evening (22nd Feb.)
the Friends held a Music and Poetry Fest. The local councillor for Peninsula
ward and Chair of the Council Committee reviewing Greenwich Libraries, Mary
Mills, was able to announce that the Council was providing between £200,000
- £250,000 to deal with the problems. Details are due to be announced
shortly.
Richard’s widow, Mollie Bartlett, was present and along with the Chairman
of the Friends, Terry Wheeler, most were feeling a bit more optimistic. They
were determined to enjoy themselves, so they put on a SHOW, at least the college
students did!
We had been welcomed by a well
researched display of the history of the library and the area, which may
transfer to a blog. We were also told of
the historic connections of the East Greenwich parliamentary constituency
with colonists’representation in Parliament. Part of the King’s
Manor of Greenwich was represented in Parliament through East Greenwich.
The American colonists attempting to achieve independence was one of the
groups represented in Parliament in this way.
But, on with the Show….. We started with a local poet who had concentrated
on the value of libraries, and East Greenwich in particular, in her charming
poem.
The college students then entertained with some old favourites. Sasha chose “Cry
me a River”, followed by Frederica with “I love you, I do.”The
third, “The weakness in me”was performed by Rosie, accompanied
by Jason on the piano. From across the Channel was Stephane with “Ordinary
People”.
The interlude was filled by Jackie from the Reading Group (which meets the
first Thursday of the month at 7.00 pm) who was able to fill in the gaps in
the life of Andrew Carnegie, emphasising his commitment to libraries, and why!
This was followed by a real treat when Gina sang “I change my mind”accompanied
by Frederica and Rosie.
James and Fred entertained with almost rap, followed by Danny with Rap Trap.
Finally, Carlos, a tutor at the college, reappeared to play “Tenderly”on
his jazz guitar.
The cake was cut and everyone seemed very cheerful and jolly, awaiting the
announcements on the work to be done to the building. The Friends group had
been very ably supported by the head of the college, Paul Hall. Such mutual
support and interaction work!
IS IT WORTH IT, OF COURSE IT IS, WHEN YOU GET RESULTS. Hang in there!!!
Patricia Richardson,
More Local News:-
Deptford Lounge and Tidemill School will open in summer 2011 on the Giffen
Street site. One of the provisions is a state of the art library. We do hope
the ambitious plans will come up to expectations and serve the community well.
We have no idea of costings or future bills, as yet.
Blackheath Village Library Square:
Blackheath Village Library User
Group has been active of late. The Mayor’s
Commission on Libraries and learning highlighted the problems of the rent
for the building and lack of disabled access to the upper floor. In conjunction
with the Blackheath Society’s plans for a library square it meant a
voice for the library became important. Development of the area with flats,
shops, car parking and a new, improved library certainly required much consideration.
However, a petition opposing this idea was handed in to the final Full Council
Meeting of the financial year by Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Heidi Alexander
on 1st March 2010.
The BVLUG committee has already met Antonio Rizzo and a further OPEN meeting
was planned for Tuesday 16th March at 6.30 pm in the Bakehouse. Mr. Rizzo was
able to explain other
plans in the pipeline. Torridon Road library is due for renovation and improvements
this year as is Catford. New Cross might benefit from the developments due
at the Sainsbury site next to New Cross Gate station. In fact, Lewisham Council
has obviously taken note of the rebellion amongst the ranks 10 years ago. Libraries
DO matter and users have a voice!
Balckheath Village Library:- There are 3 problems –
The Rent (£72,000 p.a.)
No disabled access to the first floor
30 opening hours per week, making the rent expensive
There are no immediate solutions but all concerned will re-convene to work
it out.
Manor House Library News:-
The Manor House Project Team convened a Post-Opening meet-ing on 11th February
2010 to review the 9 months since it opened on 5th May 2009. The good news
is that both footfall
and issue figures are up. Detailed statistics will be available from April
2010. There has also been encouraging usage of the non-library spaces on the
upper floors.
Renting of Rooms, which was the main impetus for the “Business Model”aimed
at persuading English Heritage to agree to the proposals to alter the building
substantially, (despite official opposition) was also discussed. The agreement
prompted the Council to utilize the Government’s ‘Prudential Borrowing’scheme
to bridge the shortfall in Capital funding and the true cost of the building’s
refurbishment but this has not, so far, managed to match the annual cost of
the P.B. loan (£122k p.a.). A reply to our vice–Chair Gerry Ambrose’s
recent Question to Council revealed that total receipts for the renting of
these spaces has achieved £52,500 in the 9 months the building has been
open, which, projected for 12 months, is not likely to exceed £70k –a
shortfall in repayment costs alone of £52,000! The bad news, is that
although some rents have been for individual or Church Community events, the
majority of renters have been Council agencies or Council enterprises.
Also there have been several negative points noted by an otherwise enthusiastic
public.
Noise -
has become the Big Issue. Partly due to the open spaces in the library, noise
percolates down as well as up and is causing irritation to users in the non-fiction/computer
suite basement areas.
This is not due to the Children’s Centre, rather from library users on
the main library floor. Free-flow use by patrons and an open, welcoming atmosphere
tends to promote a carefree approach by users of the library and noise is simply
a side-issue of this. Finding a happy medium under these circumstances is certainly
a challenge.
The lift -
The regular breakdown of the primary entry lift has caused much disappointment
to both the disabled/infirm user and parents with baby-buggies. It seems German
engineering also has its failures…..!
To park or not to park?
A great many problems have resulted from parking restrictions, especially for
disabled access. Parking is limited and often abused. Thus attempts have been
made to restrict access for cars whilst still offering access for disabled
drivers. When an event is on, it is not unusual to find the drive full of cars,
none of which display blue badges.
Traffic in the library ……
Complaints have been noted by customers with the numbers of baby buggies present
in the library itself –despite an adequately sized buggy park available
in the basement. Other customers complain of being bumped in to by careless
use of the buggies on the library floor.
The Climate -
Numerous complaints have been made about the drafty Western Wing area. Most
uncomfortable in a cold winter!
Technology moves on –from Caxton to Kindle, one might say -
on a brighter note, Lewisham has done it again! Forward-looking Lewisham’s
Library and Information Service has joined forces with Bexley and Bromley in
providing a cutting-edge on-line book and media lending service. Customers
can access 750 media titles from each of the three boroughs to computer or
e-book readers, such as the Sony e-reader and Steve Jones’much lauded
Ipad device. Titles are powered by Overdrive, a U.S. company. To download visit
www.lewisham.gov.uk and seek Leisure and Culture, thence Libraries/24 hour
library/ebooks and click on e-books and audio e-books services which will give
you access. You need your library card and Pin No. to download. Material downloaded
automatically deletes after 14 days.
Public Liability Insurance:-
This subject has arisen recently and appears to be based on the 1974 Health
and Safety Act.
It affects all Community and Church Groups using Public buildings.
Details of the act are somewhat hazy, except that there are distinct caveats.
The exact details are currently being investigated at the council’s Resources
Directorate, in particular the extent of the requirement, and of what situations
may be able to waive that requirement. For example, it is said that the requirement
would be waived if a council officer was present and participating in a Community
Meeting. Also if a party was to be held in a public building by an individual
or family, a small extra fee could be levied in order to satisfy the requirement.
All these caveats brings one back in to the realm of “Fuzzy Logic”but
obviously needs clarification immediately. Extra costs for small local/community
groups could wipe them out or stop renting!
Greetings Card Sale
Our own Greetings Cards are available once again.
These are priced at 25p each and include an envelope or you may purchase 5
for £1 as a bargain offer! Naturally, you may also make multiple purchases.
Please contact Pat or Peter on 020 8852 9301 to make your order and we can
arrange collection of same at a mutually agreeable time.
The Users and Friends of Manor House Library Notice Board
This was funded by Local Assembly money, some time ago, but could not be installed
until late last autumn. It is regularly up-dated, so please check it out.
We would appreciate suggestions of what you might like included on the board,
which is library related.
Newsnight and libraries
The blessed Margaret popped up again on Monday 15th March 2010, to introduce
the DCMS report on libraries, due out at the end of March.
We have lost count of the forests that have died to support publication of
SO many library reports since 1996. They seem to be never ending.
Fortunately Alan Gibbon of “Campaign for the Book”www.alangibbons.net
was also present to make such points. He was not squashed, in spite of Mr.
Paxman’s tone!
A FINAL COMMENT
Libraries are a cultural jewel and cannot be left to rot, even in hard times.
Unlike Lewisham there are plans in other authorities to close libraries. Users
are able to prevent closures if organized and active.
The public library budget for the whole country is £1bn, saving money
on that figure does not produce much saving! Keep them ticking over!!!