North Kensington Library birthday cake stall
North Kensington Library birthday projection

Birthday Party

Posted Wed 02 Nov '16

North Kensington Library celebrated its 125th birthday on Saturday 29th October. We gave away a free commemorative zine to the first 125 people who visited their library on the special day. Celebrations continued across the road at the KPH which included book readings, cake, and poetry.

“Locals gathered to celebrate the 125th birthday of thegrand old building.

Ladbroke Grove residents who have protestedagainst the councils decision to close the libraryand rent the building to the Notting Hill PrepSchool were fancy-dressed in Victorian outfitsfor the occasion.

“The building was decorated with bannerspainted by local children, bunting borrowedfrom market traders and balloons donated by theParty Shop on Kensington High Street,”A saidparty organiser Sophie Lodge.

There was a memory book for people to recordtheir memories of the library and everyone enjoyed a sumptuous birthday tea laid out upstairs at the KPH, followed by a series of talks andthoughts about the beautiful Grade 2 listed building, with a slideshow showing photos of the areathrough the years.

The final birthday present to the building wasto see it lit up by a wonderful lightshow and series of projections arranged by local residents.The council had kindly agreed to turn off thelarge streetlight outside the building on theevening, in order that the projections could beproperly seen.

This was a completely uplifting event broughttogether by the local community to celebrate abeautiful building that has belonged to everybody for 125 years. Whatever the future of thebuilding, it is so heart-warming to know thereare so many people who care.

Huge thanks go to the KPH for allowing us touse their space - and Nuline, whose generous donation showed everybody that the heart continues to beat strongly in this community.”

London Weekly News