New Library Unveiled at Culford School

13 Oct 2015

The Campaign for Culford fundraising project reached another milestone on Tuesday 8 September when the new £2.2 million landmark Library building was officially opened at Culford School.

Almost exactly a year from the day that construction began pupils, alumni, teachers and staff gathered outside the completed building to watch Old Culfordian and generous benefactor to the project, Professor Harry Watson, cut the ribbon and declare the library officially open. Other special guests included: the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston; Patrick Cheung, Mayor of Bury St Edmunds; and the Reverend David Deeks, Chairman of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust. Professor Watson, who lived in Barrow as a boy, travelled all the way from Australia with his wife Adrienne to attend the event.

Headmaster Julian Johnson-Munday was keen to promote the Library as more than just a storage space for literature. He stressed that, “This stunning new building offers an inviting, light and open space for our pupils to go and study and a place where they can fulfil their potential as independent learners.”

He praised the hard work of the Foundation team for overseeing the project, but also recognised the dedication shown by the alumni and friends of the school who had contributed the funds that made the venture possible.

Built by Suffolk-based Seamans Builders and with bookcases designed and built by local specialist joinery company TMJ Interiors, the new Library houses ten thousand books and an 80-seat lecture theatre for guest speakers and author visits. There is also a mezzanine floor exclusively for use by Sixth Formers with coffee facilities, quiet study areas, group discussion areas and comprehensive IT facilities and wi-fi.

The Campaign for Culford was launched by the Foundation at Culford School in June 2013 to raise the necessary capital to build and improve facilities within the school. It has already allowed for the creation of a second girls’ boarding House, a £500,000 refurbishment of the kitchens and the opening of the Foundation art gallery. However, the Library project is the biggest challenge undertaken in the campaign so far.