Culford School unveils new library and café

A £2.2 million library - built as part of a successful fund-raising campaign - and a Paddy and Scott’s café have opened at Culford School.

The library houses 10,000 books and an 80-seat lecture theatre as well as a mezzanine floor for use by sixth formers with coffee facilities, quiet study areas, group discussion areas, IT facilities and wi-fi.

Old Culfordian and benefactor to the project Professor Harry Watson, who travelled from Australia, cut the ribbon to declare the library open.

The facility was built by Seamans Builders.

It was funded as part of The Campaign for Culford, which was launched by the school’s Foundation in June 2013 to raise capital to build and improve facilities. It has already led to a second girls’ boarding house, a £500,000 refurbishment of the kitchens and opening of an art gallery.

Headmaster Julian Johnson-Munday said: “This stunning new building offers an inviting, light and open space for our pupils to go and study and a place where they can fulfil their potential as independent learners.”

Meanwhile, Suffolk based coffee company Paddy and Scott’s has launched a café in Culford’s Sports and Tennis Centre in partnership with the school and its caterers Edwards and Blake.

Shirley Edwards, managing director at Edwards and Blake, said: “The new cafe provides a greath space for the sixth formers as well as creating a meeting place for parents, visitors and members of the Sports and Tennnis Centre who can all enjoy a high street cafe experience.”