Newton Abbot New Community Library
About the project
Passmore Edwards was keen to build a useful institution in Newton Abbot because his mother, Susan Passmore, had lived in the town in 1843. His first idea was a hospital, but finding the town already had one, he gave a Library and Technical School instead. It was designed by Cornish architect Sylvanus Trevail, built on land then known as Harvey's Corner. It first opened in 1904, with many of the books donated by the British Museum and the GWR Mechanics Institute of Newton Abbot. Today, it continues to be the home of the town's library and adult education centre, which includes the second largest collection of railway studies materials outside York's National Railway Museum. Now Grade II listed, particular aspects of interest include the mosaic floors in the entrance areas and the staircase on the west side which has beautiful stained glass windows. The current project involves a much needed refurbishment of the inside of the building and a new extension at the rear in the courtyard. It has been designed with sensitivity to protect and enhance the original features whilst ensuring the building will continue to be fit for use for many years to come. The extension allows the library to expand to cater for the growing population of the town and surrounding areas. Refurbishment also means that the local support service for adults with learning disabilities will be based in the building, without loss of library space, an addition that John Passmore Edwards would surely have supported. When complete, the building will be a place for all of the community. It will be a centre for information, advice, learning and culture. It will be a place where you can visit the library, take an adult learning class, meet friends for a coffee, attend business meetings, run a community event, find out about your town’s history and get help and information about any council service. For adults with learning disabilities who are referred to the support team based there, it will be a safe place to go for support, care and friendship in their day-to-day lives. This is one of the first multi-service centres in Devon, located at the centre of the community. We call them Devon Centres, a name that is generic and flexible enough to be used in different places around the county, where different local services may be based in the building. When it opens, this Devon Centre in Newton Abbot will be known as the Passmore Edwards Centre, in honour of its benefactor. |
Links About the project |
This landmark building in the centre of Newton Abbot was given to the town by John Passmore Edwards. Passmore Edwards (1823-1911) was a newspaper proprietor, MP and philanthropist who funded the creation of many institutions in Devon and Cornwall as well as in London. His public gifts include eight hospitals, twenty-four libraries, five convalescent homes, homes for epileptics, four homes for boys, art galleries, a museum, and countless drinking fountains.