Great Harwood: Churchfield House moves into the digital age with Council grant

Iconic Great Harwood landmark, Churchfield House, home of one of the borough’s original reading rooms, will soon appeal more to the modern reader, with four Kindles and two laptops available for visitors, thanks to a £1,500 boost from the Council.

Churchfield House was gifted to the Urban District Council by its owner Milton Haydock. Milton, a former Councillor, left his house, his artefacts and the grounds in the care of the Urban District Council, for the use and enjoyment of the people of Great Harwood after his death in 1926.

The house has undergone many changes since then and now, run by the Churchfield House Trust, this valuable community asset is available for hire and use and is also home to a popular café.

Lynn Wilson, of Churchfield House Trust, said; “Churchfield House was gifted by Milton Haydock to the people of Great Harwood and for many years it was used by residents as a reading room, but sadly, with the passage of time, the books bequeathed became mouldy and unusable. To add to the many uses for the house, it seemed sensible in this digital age to acquire laptops and kindles, for public use and computer training, and so we’re really pleased that, thanks to this £1500 boost, we can go ahead and buy them for local people to use.”

Council Leader, Miles Parkinson, said; “Churchfield House is a fabulous resource for the local community and the Churchfield House Trust members have breathed new life into the house by restoring it to its former glory and encouraging as many local people and organisations as possible to use the house. We’re happy to help continue its long tradition as a reading room, with this £1,500 being used to buy digital kit to bring it up to date with the latest technology.”

Lynn added; “Besides the kindles and laptops we will still have a selection of books and newspapers for adults and children to share over a drink and cake, so please pop in, everyone is more than welcome.”