The Lord of the Manor in Gayhurst, James W. Carlile was a very generous benefactor for the people in the 2 villages.
In 1884, he created the Reading Rooms in Stoke Goldington in order to improve the education and wellbeing of the men (!) of the village.
The building was previously the blacksmiths on the High Street, near the old White Hart PH, and Carlile paid to have it reconfigured into 2 rooms: one for educational reading and the other for recreational pleasure e.g. dominoes, skittles and smoking.
THE READING ROOMS (single storey building with fence)
This philanthropic act was one of the many Carlile carried out benefiting those living on his Estate and was reported in the local press:
CROYDONS WEEKLY STANDARD, Newport Pagnell
- Saturday 27th September 1884 – STOKE GOLDINGTON (p4)
“ESTABLISHMENT of a SOCIAL CLUB
On Friday evening, the 19th instant, a conjuring entertainment was given at the school room by the kind liberality of Mr Carlile, in connection with the opening of a social club in the village.
The want of a place for reading and recreation has long been felt, and Mr Carlile has most generously provided a building for the purpose, situated on the High-Street. It consists of two rooms, one to be used for reading, the other for smoking and games.
It is not yet completed but, in another fortnight or so, it will be fit for occupation in order to bring the subject more effectually to the minds of the villagers.
Mr Carlile engaged a well-known conjuror and ventriloquist from London, to give an entertainment to the men of the village, from the age of 17 years and upwards who were likely to be members of the club. An invitation was given to these and the admission was free.
Nothing could have been better adapted to such an audience than the entertainment provided by Mr Redman.
Mr Carlile, in the course of the evening, briefly explained the object that he had at heart, founding the club. He hoped it would be wisely used and that it would give the men of Stoke an opportunity of spending their evenings in an agreeable and rational manner. Rules will be framed and a committee chosen on a future occasion, as soon as the room is ready.
The Rector, at the close of the proceedings, expressed the deep sense they all had of Mr Carlile’s great kindness in the valuable gift he had conferred on the Parish.”
- Saturday 1st November 1884 – STOKE GOLDINGTON (p4)
“THE WORKING MEN’S CLUB
On Saturday evening last the building, which Mr Carlile has so generously erected for a working men’s club was opened.
It was an event which had long looked forward to with considerable eagerness; and the result, as far as the number who joined the club went, surpassed the most sanguine expectations.
The building, which is an ornament to the village was formerly a blacksmiths shop, consisting of the place where the forge stood and the shoeing shed.
All this has been altered so completely as well-nigh to defy recognition by those who knew it best. No expense or pains have been spared to make the two rooms bright and attractive and nothing can exceed the interest which Mr Carlile has taken in the progress of the work.
He has personally superintended the smallest details to make it as attractive and cheerful a resort as there is in the Parish for the working men of Stoke.
The walls have been hung with pictures carefully chosen, adding very much to the artistic appearance of the place. One of the rooms are for readers only: in the large room, games may be played and pipes smoked.
Perhaps in the not distant future refreshments may be provided for the members at a moderate cost, so that everything a man may need in his hours of recreation may be found at his club.
It must be a great gratification to Mr Carlile to feel that this effort to brighten the life of the working classes of Stoke has been so thoroughly appreciated.
It will depend now upon them whether the club will continue to answer the kind of intentions of its founder, as it is to be, in the main, self-supporting; indeed… this was the great secret of success… They must not forget their summer subscriptions; they must keep up their payments then just as steadily as in the winter.
We may add that the contractor, Mr Thos. Smith*, has admirably carried out the design of Mr Carlile in adapting the building to its present purpose; and the workmanship and good taste which have been shown leave nothing to be desired.”
*1847 Post Office Directory – Thomas Smith is listed as a blacksmith
*1883 Post Office Directory – Thomas Smith is listed as a brick & tile merchant & builder
The Gayhurst Estate Sale document, dated 2 July 1912, mentions the “Sale of Archway Cottages, next door to the Reading Room”
A rear extension was later built to provide a kitchen area and toilets. There is also a small secure courtyard at the rear.
(The large Stoke Goldington Association Archive has been held in this building, since its inception in 1987) more…