WARRINGTON’S historic Gentlemen’s Book Society has continued a tradition stretching back almost two centuries, raising £1,200 for four local charities at its latest annual gathering at Statham Lodge, Lymm.
The society’s annual dinner brought members together for an evening celebrating books, fellowship and the importance of supporting good causes across the Warrington area.
An auction of books, compered by Warrington Worldwide Editor and founder Gary Skentelbery, proved a highlight of the event, raising £1,200 to be divided between St Rocco’s Hospice, Warrington Disability Partnership, Warrington Youth Zone and Home-Start Warrington.
The fundraising continues a long-standing tradition for an organisation which has combined a love of literature with charitable giving for generations.
A society steeped in Warrington history
The Warrington Gentlemen’s Book Society is widely regarded as one of the oldest societies in the town, with its origins linked to Warrington’s rich literary and intellectual heritage.
Historical accounts record that the society was formed in 1841 and has traditionally met once a year for its annual dinner and book auction.
Its history is closely associated with the development of reading and education in Warrington, a town which played a pioneering role in the development of public libraries in Britain.
Warrington’s literary heritage stretches back even further. The Warrington Circulating Library was operating from the premises of printer William Eyres in Horsemarket Street by at least 1760. It served a community of scholars and tutors associated with Warrington Academy, the influential dissenting academy established in 1757.
The library’s collection subsequently helped form the basis of Warrington’s public library, which opened in 1848 and became the first rate-supported public library in the country.
While the Gentlemen’s Book Society’s modern history dates from 1841, its traditions reflect the town’s longstanding connection with books, learning and intellectual debate.
The society’s annual book auction has become an established feature of its activities, with members donating and bidding for a selection of books ranging from current bestsellers to specialist titles.
Over the years, the event has supported a variety of local charities and community organisations.
At its 175th anniversary dinner in 2016, members gathered at Statham Lodge Hotel, where the society’s longstanding connection with the venue was highlighted.
Records revealed that the society had met at Statham Lodge when it was still a country house, more than a century earlier. Although it has met at other venues, including the Warrington Club in Bold Street, Statham Lodge has remained a familiar setting for its annual gathering.
The society was also making headlines in 2017 when, at its 176th annual dinner, two female guests attended for the first time, helping create another milestone in its history.
Supporting Warrington’s community
The four beneficiaries of the latest auction provide a range of vital services across the local community.
St Rocco’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Warrington Disability Partnership works to improve the lives of disabled people and their families, promoting independence, inclusion and equal opportunities.
Warrington Youth Zone provides young people with opportunities, activities and support in a safe and welcoming environment.
Home-Start Warrington supports families with young children who may be facing challenging circumstances, offering practical and emotional support through its family support services.
The £1,200 raised will be shared between the four organisations, helping them continue their work in the local community.
For the society, the latest gathering was another reminder that its enduring interest in books extends beyond the printed page, with its annual auction continuing to turn a shared passion for reading into tangible support for local good causes.
As Warrington’s historic literary traditions continue, the Gentlemen’s Book Society remains a distinctive part of the town’s heritage — bringing people together through books while helping charities and community organisations carry out their valuable work.
