“Little Library” unveiled at The Manor House to remember resident

A “Little Library” has been unveiled at The Manor House care home in Knaresborough as part of a tribute to a resident who used to read stories to local school children.  

Deputy town crier Andrew Richards and local school children both attended the unveiling at the home.

The Manor House Little Library, in loving memory of Storytime with Sheila, is part of a tribute to former teacher Sheila Roome, who passed away aged 94 just before Christmas.

The event was attended by pupils from Knaresborough St John’s Church of England Primary School, who used to love attending Storytime with Sheila and were penpals with her. Children from local group Sarah’s Childcare and other local families that attend the home’s events were also present.

Michelle Robinson, the author of the last book Sheila read to the children, also sent the home a video message from her home in Canada. Sheila’s family also plan to donate a plaque to go with the Little Library.

The Manor House’s Activities Co-ordinator Katie Pickering, who works with fellow Activities Co-ordinator Joanne Meredith, said:

The idea of the Little Library was inspired by villages who repurpose old telephone boxes and bus shelters to hold books for anyone to take or borrow.

It is situated in the grounds of our home and children will be able to take borrow or swap books at their leisure, in honour of Storytime with Sheila.

It is a way of keeping Storytime with Sheila alive – the residents at our care home enjoy seeing the children coming and going and it feels like a permanent memorial and something we can all enjoy for a long time.

We had a lovely day at the unveiling and we are very grateful to everyone who attended including Mr Richards the deputy town crier and all the children who joined us.

Katie’s grandad Malcolm Steel, 77, built the Little Library from scratch while recovering from knee surgery and has enjoyed the project as it has kept him busy during his recovery.

The Manor House care home enjoys an ideal location close to Knaresborough town centre with all its shops, restaurants and bars. In addition to being close to the River Nidd and Knaresborough Castle, our home benefits from excellent transport links to Harrogate, York and Leeds.

To find out more about The Manor House in Knaresborough, click here.