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Posted by Editor on 15th June 2010 at 12:47 PM
Video: Eccles Library opened by Christopher Eccleston
by Tony Flynn

Today saw the official opening of the newly refurbished Eccles Gateway Library by the well known actor and local boy Christopher Eccleston.

The Mayor of Salford George Wilson gave a speech then handed over to Barry Warner the Council's Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, who spoke about the work that had been done by various groups in the City who had renovated the library, including Urban Vision amongst others.

He also spoke about the late Joe Martin, the City Conservation Officer who died earlier this year and the immense amount of work that Joe had put into this project, and how pleased he would have been with the completed work.

Christopher Eccleston then took centre stage and gave a marvellous speech in which he told of the three things that helped him through his early life.

As a child Chris was declared to be a remedial reader and was held back in his education, however salvation came along in the form of a school teacher Mrs Hayes who steered him away from the usual Janet and John easy readers books and showed him the Dr Seuss books, which he read with interest and helped in his reading progress.

Secondly, his parents Elsie and Ronnie who encouraged him to read, saying that his Dad, Ronnie was the best narrator of Tom Sawyer that he had ever heard.

Finally, his local library in Little Hulton when he was growing up taught him that books were essential and a key to knowledge whilst teaching him social skills.

Children from Lewis Street Primary then gave reading of poems that they had specially written for this occasion, Amber Boyle, Ferdinand Mezzei, Joe Smith and Bradley Casewell all delighting the audience.

Christopher Eccleston then read out two poems from one of the Salford library users' groups: Bright Yellow by Carol Batty and Wonderful Place by Jean Cooper.

Albert Thompson the Salford singer/songwriter then gave us several of his self-penned songs which were warmly received.

The Mayor and Christopher Eccleston then unveiled a commemorative plaque to round of an enjoyable afternoon, leaving us to marvel at the Eccles Gateway Library.

Finally I would like to say congratulations to the hard working staff at Eccles Gateway Library who do a great job and are extremely helpful, you know who you are.



Related Links

Watch Chris Eccleston talk candidly about his life growing up in Salford click here
Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  16th June 2010
Stirring stuff by Christopher Eccleston and a reminder of why we should use our libraries, Eccles is a marvellous library with great staff who are really friendly. A great video as well, nice to see the Lewis Street children reading their poems, the next generation of writers hopefully, and good old Albert Thompson singing his self penned ballads about Salford, a great afternoon out that left me inspired to use the library more often.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  15th June 2010
The thought that libraries may not be there for future generations of children is just horrendous to me, so this is a joy to see. This is also a great example of why Chris Eccleston's 'fans' love him. His awareness of his roots and of what is important shows in the choices he makes in his work. I wish both Chris and the staff of this library, and the people who use it, well.

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