SUMMER tunes, special portraits, storytelling and a tea party marked the 50th anniversary of Wickford library.
The celebration saw a performance by Wickford Junior School Choir at the Market Road library. The children sang songs from their summer show and painted pictures of the library staff.
Current and former staff and members of the public joined the festivities on August 18, which included an afternoon tea party and displays from the Wickford Community Archive, demonstrating the town's history.
Library supervisor Loraine Severn said: "It went really well – the children sang and that was very popular.
"The community group spoke about the work they do and the children created some really nice pictures. The tea party was a good chance to catch up with old and new staff and friends."
In the evening, there was a session run by the Ladygate Scribblers, an association of people who like to write stories, in which they created tales with members of the public about the library, which was opened in 1963, and celebrations in general.
Terry Flitman, head teacher at Wickford Junior School, said: "We have had a close relationship with the library since I started at the school 14 years ago, and we were really happy to be part of the anniversary.
"The choir went down really well and I was glad to see people support the event. The choir entered a regional competition in Leigh last year and they won – they have reached a really high standard and they have a fantastic music teacher."
Mr Flitman explained that the children go to Wickford Library, just a stone's throw from the school, to exchange books.
Maurice Wakeham, committee member of the Wickford Community Archive, added: "We had a big display of photographs.
"People were invited to speak of their memories, and to bring things in that they wanted to find more about."
Mr Wakeham explained that the group come to the library every third Saturday of the month, from 10am until noon, to speak to people about Wickford history. The group were at the library on August 28 for a special session.
He added: "It was a great chance to celebrate the anniversary of the library's being here since it moved off of the high street 50 years ago."
