SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

These two buildings fascinate me as they seem to be relics froma bygone age still operating as they always did. Anyone kno wmuch about them? I always fancied joinign Leeds Club but never got anywhere near trying.

An old family friend was a page boy in the Leeds club.He's in his 80's now so I'm talking pre-war.He was brought up in an orphanageand I think it was a way of 'paying his keep'I don't know whether you can walk in off the street and inquire about membership.You'd need to know someone on the inside-or be invited!

The Leeds Library is a real hidden gem. I went there for an interview a while ago, and although I didn't get the job it was worth it for the tour.For all you tunnel conspiracy theorists out there, the Library has got storage cellars which run all the way under Commercial Street. Another story which could easily lead to more tall tales.What I didn't know was that the shops underneath the Library were always built for that purpose. The Library realised that to pay its way it would need some form of rental income, so decided to build shops underneath. So next time you're forced into the Disney Store (or the old Our Price if you remember that far back), think of it as a bit of history.There's quite a good summary of the Library and the Leeds Club herehttp://www.threealbionplace.co.uk/history

I am secretary of The Leeds Library on Commercial Street, the oldest surviving proprietary subscription library in the British Isles, founded in 1768. The discreet entrance is between the Disney Store and The Britannia Building Society.It has 500 proprietary members who each have a share and pay an annual subscription (currently £60) and up to 300 associate members who pay £65 (annually) . The partners and children of members are also allowed to use the Library. It has more than 135,000 books an is particularly strong in travel, biography, history and literature. About 1,000 new items including books. 'talking books' on cassette and classic films on DVD are added annually. The building is Grade II* listed 1808 Greek Revival building by Thomas Johnson with major 1880-81 extension to the rear by Thomas Ambler. It is shortly to have a blue plaque. Refubishment work on the Main Room (as opposed to the 'New Room' built 1880!) will mean closure of the library from July 23 to August 13 this year. The library is usually open for visitors on Heritage Open Days (Sunday Sept 9) this year.

Library picture. Kindly sent by Claire Buckley and taken by Mike Race.

Last picture was the main room ,this is the reading room. Again kindly sent in by Claire Buckley and taken by Mike Race.

Just to revive an old thread I just noticed.I am one of the associate members of the Leeds library and can recommend it as an absolute goldmine for researchers and history buffs.further to what the secretary said on here last year about the collection. It has an outstanding Folklore section and also has the Trevor Hall collection of books on physic and allied matters. I am still working my way through both collections<G>!In the case of the older stuff (they have books going back to the 18th century) you literally excavate them as they have layers of dust on top, luckily there are wash basins on site.I still remember my thrill when I took out a book on the history of St Bartholomews Fair in London published around 1820 . It still used the long f instead of s. It also had most of its pages uncut which made me realise that I was the first person to read it since the library had originally bought it, a wonderful feeling of antiquity coming alive!

To revive an old thread.The Leeds Library is now a charity and so is open to a much wider membership than before when it had a limited number of members.Not can also use it.I would urge any Secret leeds member wanting access to one of the best reference resources in leeds to join.Please note that as this is a private not council run library ,there is a yearly fee,but the facilites are worth it.You can ring for an appointment to look around the place.As a member for over a decade now,I can certainly recommend it and youwill be amazed at the sheer amount of stuff they have dating back to the 18th century!

In respect of the Leeds Club I went on a corporate do there. Very grand and imposing. Fantastic victorian bogs in the basement, all marble and porcelain.

My thanks to the previous posteees who have revived this thread. I thought the place had closed. I visited a couple of years ago and was told it was unlikely I would be allowed in because it was private members. I called anyway and was greeted by the most frinedliest of staff who had gone out of their way to show me around and gather my sources. Does anyone know what the membership fees are now?RegardsDave