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Ledbury’s Libraries

Prepared by Celia G Kellett for the Friends of the Master’s House, Ledbury.
A slide show about the history of Ledbury Libraries, for the Herefordshire Histories Festival 2026

The 20-minute show covering over two centuries of Libraries in Ledbury. How they started as Private Libraries. Then Ledbury’s Circulating Libraries, also known as Lending or Rental Libraries, and specialist Subscription Libraries.

Includes a description of the Master of St.Katherine’s Hospital in the 17th century. A bibliophile, Thomas Thornton (a member of the Dean and Chapter of Hereford Cathedral), was Master here during his final years, from 1612-1629. Earlier in his career his had the Chained library built, and largely paid for it too. In his his later years he introduced many improvements to the running of the Cathedral Library.

The show for you to run yourself, is available for the duration of the Festival, and hopefully on-going.

The Master’s House opening times

Monday: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Tuesday: 9.30am to 6.00pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Friday: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Saturday: 9.30am to 12.30pm
Sunday: Closed

EVENT LOCATION... Bye Street, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1EA UK
Friends of the Master’s House
Bye Street, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1EA UK
https://themastershouseledbury.org/friends-of-the-masters-house/