The Reading Room

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Research by Joan West. An amenity created by John Forrest

The Reading Room, Main Road, Lacey Green, Built 1886.

The Reading Room was constructed just 7 feet to the north of Lacey Green School. It was built by John Forrest of Grymsdyke Lodge to give the men a club to which to go rather than to the public houses.   It was on the land of Stocken Farm, at that time owned by John Forrest. click John & Evelyn Forrest for the lives of the Forrest's

The building

It was a wooden structure, lined with varnished match-boarding, heated by a stove, fitted with chairs, tables, bookshelves and lamps.

Reading material

It was weekly supplied with the ‘Graphic Illustrated London News’ and the ‘Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News’.   Two daily and other papers were added by the committee.   It contained useful volumes, an atlas, dictionary, map of England and others.

Management

It was managed by a committee of 6 members, mainly labourers.   In 1891 the funds were such that they voted to give a ton of coal to the widow of George Adams who was killed by a lightning strike at a cricket match.   In 1899 there were 30 members in 1909, owing to the growth in numbers Mr. Forrest had it enlarged.

Sold about 1923 to John Saunders of Lacey Green, builder. Conveyance.  All that piece of land at Lacey Green, containing 5 poles, together with the bungalow thereon, formerly used as a Reading Room.

30th July 1952 Conveyance. William John Saunders, builder, sold to Gordon Ernest Davis of High Wycombe, for £812, the land and bungalow thereon, formerly a Reading Room. (conveyance archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)

Amenity Name	The Reading Room
Current Status (Active/Inactive)	Inactive
Founded Date	1886
Closure Date