Inglis Memorial Hall
It has recently been brought to my attention that the Inglis Memorial Library in Edzell has been closed by the local council and replaced by a 2-hour weekly mobile library service.
The Library, as well as 5000 books (for what point is a library without books!), was gifted to the village of Edzell (in Angus, Scotland) in 1898 by Sir Robert William Inglis in memory of his parents and uncle. The gift was supported by a trust fund, and the opening ceremony was a lavish affair attended by many dignitaries and as many family members as could be mustered.
Although records show Sir Robert may have been a little on the pompous side (bless him), there is absolutely no doubt as to his heartfelt and sincere desire in honouring the parents who did so much for their children under often difficult circumstances, by giving back something to the community that supported them through thick and thin.
I have posted before about various members of the Inglis family, including Sir James, whose Australian company was, it appears, responsible for the popularity of Waltzing Matilda; my great great grandfather Alexander Brand Inglis, who went into business at a very young age in order to put his younger brothers through university; and of course Sir Robert himself. What is certain is that their parents were hard working and respected members of the community, often living hand to mouth, but never without the support of their congregation.
To close the library is not only to disregard the values that put it there in the first place, it is also to insult the wishes of Sir Robert, who gave the library over in perpetuity. Living in Sydney I know all too well that “perpetuity” is a phrase easily ignored by politicians, as shown by the sale of the Graythwaite estate, which was gifted by its owner in 1915 to the state as “a Convalescent Home for our Sick and Wounded Soldiers and Sailors and when not required for that purpose as a Convalescent Home in perpetuity for distressed subjects of the British Empire regardless of Sect or Creed”. That too was supported by a trust fund, which sadly did not stop the NSW state government from selling it to a private school, despite the best efforts of the Federal government.
So if you, like me, think that “perpetuity” means forever (and I looked it up in a dictionary, just to make doubly sure), then please join ELAG (Edzell Library Action Group) on facebook.
