Pictures of the Old Benfleet Library

Comments about this page

Add your own comment

• As a schoolboy in the early 1960s, I was a quite regular user of the the old library opposite Benfleet Primary School. I was always fascinated by the travel book section.
  The best book that I remember borrowing was all about Yeti, aka the Abominable Snowman, and his mysterious footprints left in the snow.
  Over 50 years later, I visited Nepal on holiday and although I kept my eyes peeled, I never did see any Yeti footprints in Kathmandu. Perhaps August wasn’t the best month to go?

  I remember Ken (Deacon?) the softly-spoken Librarian who always seemed to be working there during my childhood and long after. I still have family living in Benfleet and as I drive past the site of the Old Library I can remember him briskly walking with a military-like gait along the High Road in his trilby, buttoned up gabardine mackintosh and shiny shoes. He was always tightly clutching a brown leather, zipped flat document case under his arm, tightly gripped against his body with his elbow. He was always helpful and seemed like a nice man.

  By David Jiggens (17/02/2024)

• I loved this little library in the early 80s. I would park my bmx around the left hand side, no lock, and spend ages looking for choose your own adventure books.
  I do remember the story about the library policeman, if you lost a book!!
  Happy memories.

  By Nick Ahern (12/08/2021)