Taken fom No. 9 - September, 1898. "Old Bywell" Church Reader Diocese, Newcastle-Deanery, Corbridge

The century in which we live is remarkable amongst other things for the spread of education. In the memory of many now living there were numbers of the working classes unable to read or write, and they could sign the marriage register and other documents only by making a cross. But village schools were established in almost every parish in the kingdom, and the children received instruction in those useful and, for a civilized people, necessary arts - reading, writing and arithmetic.

As this knowledge increased the means of exercising it became desirable, if not absolutely necessary. To meet the growing want and to furnish the people with wholesome and instructive literature, some of the clergy, aided by their wealthier neighbours, started Reading Rooms in their parishes, making use of such buildings as were ready to hand, generally the schoolrooms. It was so at Heddon. The first Reading Institute was formed through the exertions of the Rev. John Blackett.

After existing some years subscribers fell off and the Institute came to an end. It was revived about ten years ago by the Rev. C. Bowlker and some of the parishioners and C.J. Bates, Esq., was elected President, the schoolroom being used as the reading room. This, however, did not meet the wants of the miners, who have often a large part of the day at their disposal. The members asked for, and obtained from John Clayton, Esq., a disused cottage which they fitted up as a temporary Reading Room. But in the year of the Queen's Jubilee Mr. Clayton expressed his intention of erecting a suitable building; accordingly, on June 21st, the foundation stone was laid by Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Bewicke.

The building was completed in the following year and opened by Mrs. Bewicke. At the same time, Calverly Bewicke, Esq., presented the Institute with £10 worth of books. The room is above fifty feet long, wide and lofty, and is lined throughout with varnished wood. It is divided into two rooms by a moveable partition, and is well supplied with books and newspapers, also with the means of amusement in the way of bagatelle, draughts, chess, etc. It is well and comfortably furnished, Messrs. Bates, the President, and Bewicke having each generously contributed £20 for that purpose. The library contains books to suit all tastes - works on history, biography, science and travels and also novels, some of them by the best authors. One hundred volumes were added to the library this spring. The library is for a moderate subscription available to the whole parish. The time of exchanging books, according to the present arrangement, is Tuesday evening, between the hours of 7 and 8.

The youth of Heddon have now an opportunity of improving their minds such as their forefathers never possesses; it is to be hoped that they will fully avail themselves of the advantages they enjoy