New little library for Wigan bookworms

The small-but-perfectly-formed cabinet filled with reading material has appeared on Tennyson Drive in Swinley.

Resident Gemma Connolly her partner Matthew Fairhurst and his son Maxwell created The Humbug Library, named for its black-and-white paint job to fit in with the style of houses around them, from objects they found.

It is now in pride of place outside their home but accessible to passers-by and has a colourful stained-glass door.

There are also bottles of hand sanitiser in there.

Gemma says she hopes the library particularly helps NHS staff who pass the house on their way to and from Wigan Infirmary.

She said: “We made it from everything we had in the house; wood from the wardrobes, paint, a plastic window from an old box, brackets and a door handle from a tie-back for curtains.

“We are hoping it brightens people’s days during these times and beyond.

“It’s quite a busy thoroughfare and hopefully it gives people something nice to see and they will stop by to take a book.

“ Lots of NHS workers walk past, so we’re hoping they will be of help to people.”

Gemma is also contributing to the Covid-19 effort by making masks for hospital staff and other key workers.

The idea of miniature free community libraries started in America and a number of them have sprung up in Wigan in recent years.

Residents drop off books to share with other bookworms to keep the shelves full.

There has been one in Winstanley for several years and one was created in Whitley.

A little library was also placed in the memorial garden to murdered Winstanley College student Ellen Higginbottom.

The Swinley library has been registered and Gemma, Matthew and Maxwell are now awaiting a plaque.

Find out more at littlefreelibrary.org