Villagers can now borrow books down at their local

A new library has been set up in a village pub to ensure people can continue to borrow books. Huddersfield-born author, Nick Stead, opened the new community library at The Sun in Lepton after the closure of village’s main library.

It has been set up in the pub with the support of the Huddersfield District Committee and the rural pubs organisation, Pub is The Hub. Carl and Donna Brayshaw, who have owned and run The Sun at Lepton for more than five years have used grants to convert an area in the pub’s snug with new shelving for over 600 books, more comfortable seating and two computer terminals offering access to the internet.

The couple have worked hard since taking on the pub to turn around its reputation. Donna said: ‘We soon realised that we didn’t only need to give The Sun a facelift - we needed to change its heart, so that is what we are working hard to do. Our idea for the library was to give something back to the community and, like every village pub, to be at the very heart of it.

‘We are determined to have the best village pub in Yorkshire and giving back such an important asset is all part of the pub’s new story.’

Nick Stead who officially opened the library published ‘Hybrid’ the first of a horror series about a werewolf last summer and is a member of the Huddersfield Author’s Circle.

Donna added: ‘We are thrilled to have a local author to open our community library and hope that the books inspire other potential writers as well as giving hours of enjoyment to readers and visitors to the pub.’

Pub is The Hub adviser Trisha Hughes added: ‘We are delighted to be able to work with Kirklees County Council on this project and applaud their imaginative approach in supporting the creation of the new community library in a place that is warm, welcoming, comfortable and open seven days a week. Donna and Carl have done a tremendous job with this project and it is a wonderful initiative for their community. We wish them well.’ w

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