The Appleton Reading Room

​Buildings like ours could be found all over the British Empire from the late 1880s to the 1930s. They were used for a wide variety of purposes – from chapels to isolation hospitals to sports clubs. 
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​The Appleton Reading Room was built as a place for local people to socialise without getting drunk! As well as books and newspapers it held a three-quarter sized billiard table. 

It was designed and erected in 1911 by Speirs & Co, a Scottish firm specialising in the construction of galvanised iron and wooden structures. The building cost £75, funded by donations from the whole village, who gave not only money but materials and labour.
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Sadly, by the mid-1980s people had lost interest in the building. With user numbers dwindling, the money dried up. So the electricity was disconnected and the building locked up.

Fifteen years ago, a dedicated group of villagers decided to bring this important building back to life.    With the aid of a National Park grant, they repainted it, fixed the roof, put in new carpet and a stove. The rotten doors and windows were replaced with faithful reproductions.
Later, thanks to a further grant from Ryedale District Council seating and blinds were added, along with a screen and speakers. The corrugated roof was replaced, ensuring that the Reading Room will stay dry and draft-free for years to come.
In 2021, thanks to a Covid-19 grant, we have installed better lighting, electric heaters and environmentally-friendly flooring through a grant from North York Moors National Park. 

The Appleton Reading Room is used for a wide variety of events including talks, exhibitions, meetings and yoga classes. Much of the running costs are raised by our Friends Group, while other money comes from rentals. 
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If you would like to hire the Appleton Reading Room – or just to find out more about this significant and rare building – contact:

​Sylvia Bernard [email protected] 01751 417338
  

Want to hire the Appleton Le Moors
​Reading Room?
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Here’s how much it costs….
Evening                   6pm-10pm               £10.00                        
Morning                   9am-1pm                 £6.00                                                      
Afternoon                1pm-5pm                 £6.00                                                        
Full day                     9am-5pm               £20.00                                                      
Weekend                  Sat and Sun           £40.00