Paul Stebbing, BMBC’s Archives & Local Studies Officer, examines a subscription book to one of Barnsley’s earliest libraries

Long before modern libraries were established, gentlemen from the upper echelons of society formed their own reading and news rooms, where they could peruse book collections and keep up with local and national news. A unique book of subscribers to what is believed to have been one of Barnsley’s first such news rooms has survived and is in the collections of Barnsley Archives and Local Studies. Covering the period 1798-1825, the tiny book relates to the news room that existed at the King’s Head. Once a popular drinking house in Barnsley, the inn stood on the left-hand side of Market Hill, as you walk down from Church Street.

The room was for the use of “Gentlemen” and annual subscription rates stood at ten shillings and six pence in 1798. The book is filled with the names of local businessmen, solicitors, the gentry and even the Earl of Mexborough. Titles stocked included the Leeds Mercury, the Hull Packet, Bell’s Weekly Messenger and the English Gentleman. It wasn’t until 1858 that Barnsley got it’s own newspaper – the Chronicle – so locals had to reply on those printed in larger local towns. As well as listing annual subscribers, the book details discussions that took place at meetings. Members debated over which titles should be stocked and were very clear that those who did not pay their subscription could not use the room!

Although not a library as we know it today, the news room and other small reading rooms that emerged in Barnsley during the 18^th and 19^th centuries paved the way for the centralisation of library provision for all in the town in 1890. In that year, Barnsley got its first free public library, when the Public Hall was gifted to the Corporation by Charles Harvey. There the library service flourished and remained there until the opening of the new Central Library in Shambles Street in February 1975.

But what of the King’s Head? Originally, the building had been a private residence, occupied by Barnsley Solicitor Henry Wood. He died in 1741, his brother Francis – a well-known local magistrate, then taking up residence. Known as Justice Wood, the passage to the north of the house became known as Justice Wood’s passage. It was in 1777 that Eliza Johnson converted the building into the King’s Head. Visitors on long journeys by stage coach would call for a meal cooked on a roasting spit, whilst consuming large quantities of ale. The inn became famous for providing a local favourite – the Barnsley chop. Whether it was the first to provide the chop remains a matter of much debate, but local farmers in town for the day certainly headed to the hotel to partake in the delicacy.

The death knell for the King’s Head finally sounded in 1913 when the premises were purchased by the Sheffield Banking Company. They demolished the grand old building and built a new bank on the site. The bank eventually became the National Provincial and today survives as Natwest Bank.