Woodsend Library

A number of farms existed in the Woodsend area of Flixton during the 1800s and early 1900s. It was originally known as Woods End. As well as farming and agriculture, industries of the area included weaving, tanning, basket making, logwood grinding, skip making and candle manufacture.

Woodsend Road, Flixton, looking from Moorside Road to the Union Inn, c.1900s. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TL0246

Ordnance Survey map showing the Woodsend area of Flixton, 1928. Lancashire Sheet CIII.14. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. 96276401

After the Second World War, Woodsend became a fast growing area. In the 1960s, plans were laid and land bought for the building of a library on Woodsend Road.

Official opening of Woodsend Library in 1974. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TL0662

Woodsend Library was opened on 28 March 1974 by the Chairman of the Library Committee, Councillor George Carnall.

Report on opening of Woodsend library.jpg

Report on the opening of Woodsend Library in the Stretford and Urmston Journal, 10 April 1974. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. 96688076

Front desk at Woodsend Library c.1970s. Photograph courtesy of Mrs A. Roberts. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TL8285B

The library was destroyed by a fire in November 1988 and thousands of books were lost.

25th Nov 1988 Report on fire (resized).jpg

Report of the fire at Woodsend Library, by Martin Purdy, in the Stretford and Urmston Messenger, 25 November 1988. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. LHC/1324

A new library opened on Thursday, 28 June 1990 and the new building contained a bright and colourful children’s section and an enclosed garden in which to sit, after choosing a book.

Exterior of Woodsend Library c.1990s. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TRA/5/1/4/17/1

Children’s Library at Woodsend c.1990s. Trafford Local Studies collection, cat. ref. TRA/5/1/4/17/1

Woodsend Library was one of the first libraries in the area to introduce the Open+ access technology system: a self-service function installed to enable the opening hours of the library to be maintained with reduced staffing.

Sources

Stretford and Urmston Journal, 10 April 1974

Stretford and Urmston Messenger, 25 November 1988