Coppice Library

Ordnance Survey map showing Coppice Avenue, 1962. Trafford Local Studies collection.

Coppice Avenue Branch Library was formally opened in 1971. This was shortly before the formation of Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council in 1974, so the library was initially a branch of the Borough of Sale’s library service. The word ‘coppice’ means an area of woodland used for firewood or timber, in which the trees are regularly cut back to stimulate new growth.

Coppice Avenue Branch Stock . . . The extra work involved in preparing books was cheerfully and efficiently carried out by the staff, who worked a lot of overtime in order that the maximum number of books could be ready for the opening of the library.

- Sale Public Library Annual Report, 1970-1971

The opening of Coppice Avenue Branch Library, 1971. From left to right: unknown; Mr B. Finch (Town Clerk); unknown; Cllr. George Russell (Mayor of Sale); Alderman E.A. Wright; Mrs. D. O'Dell, Cllr, J. Ferguson. Trafford Local Studies Collection, cat. ref. TL8498

Coppice Avenue Branch Library, 1972. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TL8538

Work with children has been an important feature almost since the inception of the branch. A great deal of the credit for success in this area must go to Miss Whyte, the Senior Assistant, who conducts the story time and Bookworm Club sessions and who has been responsible for the organisation of various competitions and activities for the children.

- Sale Public Library Annual Report, 1971-1972

The Annual Report praised the success of the library, which it said had ‘firmly established itself as an integral part of the area’. The report also described five painting exhibitions by artists in the Sale area, as well as an exhibition of embroidery by the Ashton-on-Mersey Evening Institute.

Coppice Avenue Library, c.1980s. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TL8533

Trafford Library Service Newsletter, 1982. In this year, children from Pictor House School visited Coppice Avenue Branch Library, as part of Sale Division’s contribution to ‘the International Year of the Disabled’. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TRA/5

In May 1990, a separate teenage library was established at Coppice, making use of an under-used meeting room. By 1995, this room was instead used for local art exhibitions and talks.

Coppice Avenue Library, c.1990s (TRA.5.1.4.15.1) (2).jpg

Coppice Avenue Library, c.1990s. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TRA/5/1/4/15/1

Coppice Avenue Library, c.1990s (TRA.5.1.4.15.1).jpg

Coppice Avenue Library desk, c.1990s. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TRA/5/1/4/15/1

Coppice Avenue Junior Library, 1999 (TRA.5.1.4.15.1) .jpg

Coppice Avenue Junior Library, c.1990s. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TRA/5/1/4/15/1

Today, Coppice Library and Wellbeing Centre is managed in partnership with Bluesci: a not-for-profit organisation delivering mental health and well-being services to the community.

Sources

Bluesci support, 'Coppice Library and Wellbeing Centre', <https://bluesci.org.uk/coppice/> [accessed 4 May 2021]

Library and Information Services Council, Investing in Children: The Future of Library Services for Children and Young People, (H.M. Stationery Office, 1995)