Trifter

The original ideals behind workingmen’s clubs were self-improvement by providing both education and entertainment. Many clubs ran adult educational classes and held discussion groups, forum and lectures.  There was always a library in every early club.

However a number of watering holes have libraries.  There is a notable one in the Newcastle upon Tyne branch of Wetherspoons, which also serves meals throughout the day.  Beer, breakfast and a book.  What more could you ask for?

One of the best local ones is Oddfellows in North Shields at the mouth of the River Tyne.  Landlord Graeme Oswald started a small in the pub in 2007. Since then he has signed up with Bookcrossing: a scheme in which people leave books that they have read in public places, so that other people can pick them up and enjoy them.

Oddfellows: a small single roomed pub, takes its name from the Oddfellows, which were friendly societies formed in the 18th Century to help, protect and care for the working classes before the days of the Welfare State and NHS.

The pub, which has a wide selection real ales, uses boxing memorabilia, including posters and photographs as it decor.

Another pub with a good library is the Cumberland Arms in the Ouseburn Valley of Newcastle upon Tyne.  It has operated a bring one-borrow one system for many years with registering with Bookcrossing however.

“I love reading books, but never like to throw any away as it seems such a waste,” said Damien King, a regular reader at Oddfellows.  “No all my books are getting a new lease of life plus I have the opportunity to tell people what I have thought of each one by adding a review on the Bookcrossing website.

Beer and books, lager and literature, perry and paperbacks, cider and chick-lit, They all go well together.