William Layne Reading Room

 

 

The Parish Council's Grade II listed building is known as the William Layne Reading Room in memory of the late Parish and Rotherham Borough Councillor.

 

In the 250-or-so years since it was built, what was known as the 'Reading Room' on Aughton Lane, had been the first original school, community centre, storeroom and workshop and had lain empty and suffered years of neglect.  But thanks to a £178,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) this historic building has been restored and once again put to good use by the local community.

 

The Parish Council purchased the Reading Room in 1999 and carried out emergency repairs to prevent further deterioration.  The HLF grant enabled the building to have its rear stained glass window and semi-circular side windows re-instated.  These were in keeping with the style of John Carr of York who possibly designed the original building.  A new extension was built to house a toilet, kitchen and storage facilities.