The Thomas Poole Library

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The Thomas Poole Library The Thomas Poole Library works in partnership with the Somerset Library Service He took over the tanning business and was also a farmer.

Tom Poole was born in 1765, the eldest son of a tanner, and one of a large respected local family. He had little formal education, but was no country bumpkin. Well-read, enquiring, and outspoken, Poole was regarded as a radical and was branded ‘the most dangerous person in the country’ by the government officials. Despite this he was a welcome guest at the houses of the country gentry. Poole’s legacy to Nether Stowey is profound. He worked tirelessly on behalf of the poor and employed many local people. He was a magistrate, supported the Sunday School movement, and in 1806 established the Stowey Female Friendly Society to aid women in times of sickness and distress. Every year members processed through the village for a church service, a custom that continues today. Poole funded and built the village school in 1812-13 on land in his tanyard. It was one of the first free schools in the country, offering vital education for up to 200 children and is now part of the library building. Poole was devoted to Samuel Coleridge who was an English poet of the Romantic Movement and possibly best known for his allegorical sea-faring poem, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. Coleridge lived for a time in Nether Stowey and continually escaped from the domestic chaos of his Lime Street cottage to the peaceful sanctuary of Poole’s Castle Street book room. Here the Wordsworths, Charles Lamb and other literary men of the day met to talk and exchange ideas. Faithful and constant, Poole wrote ‘By you, Coleridge, I will always stand, in sickness and health’.

25/10/2026
Halloween Crafts at the Thomas Poole Library!
24/10/2026

Halloween Crafts at the Thomas Poole Library!

21/10/2026

Nether Stowey Arts Evenings
A Mini-Festival at The Thomas Poole Library

Wednesday 4th November at 7pm
Sebastian Tesouro in Concert - Sebastian Tesouro is a resident of Sampford Brett. Argentinian by birth, he has travelled the world with a violin in his rucksack. He is fast gaining a huge reputation in the area as a multi-talented musician with a relaxed manner and huge natural charm. 

Wednesday 11th November at 7pm
 A Visual Feast of 20th-Century Photography - Terence Sackett takes you on a beautifully illustrated journey through the stunning images of the 20th-century’s most celebrated photographers. He will show us portraits, documentary, war, quirky, hilarious, tragic and emotion-packed images with insights into the photographers working methods and inspiration.

Wednesday 18th November at 7pm
Hardy Perennial - the continuing legacy of Thomas Hardy - Led by Kate Streeter, this cabaret-style evening features a selection of Thomas Hardy’s poetry and his prose, brought to life through live music, dramatic readings, specially-made recordings, and film.

Wednesday 25th November at 7pm
Phyllis Dalton: A Career in Costume - Illustrated with a generous selection of images, Alexander Ballinger tells the story of Phyllis Dalton MBE (1925-2025), one of the most celebrated film costume designers of the 20th century.

Entrance fee £10 including a glass of w**e and an interval for refreshments.

To book your ticket;
Go to www.thomaspoolelibrary.org.uk
OR
call 07734 968940

19/10/2026

Enjoy reading and trying new books? Come and join the Library Book Group - all are welcome!

This is a fun, low-key reading group that meets in the library at 2.30pm on the 4th Friday of every month.

The book for October is “The Silent Shore” by Ruth Elwin Harris, a 1986 historical novel and the first book in the Quantocks Quartet (also known as the Sisters of the Quantock Hills series).

Grab a copy and join us on Friday 23rd of October, 2.30pm - 3.30pm, at the Thomas Poole Library.

16/10/2026

The Thomas Poole Library will be closed on Monday 19th October and Wednesday 21st October for carpet fitting.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Nether Stowey Arts Evenings
A Mini-Festival at The Thomas Poole LibrarySebastian Tesouro in Concert - Sebastian Tesouro ...
14/10/2026

Nether Stowey Arts Evenings
A Mini-Festival at The Thomas Poole Library

Sebastian Tesouro in Concert - Sebastian Tesouro is a resident of Sampford Brett. Argentinian by birth, he has travelled the world with a violin in his rucksack. He is fast gaining a huge reputation in the area as a multi-talented musician with a relaxed manner and huge natural charm. 

Wednesday 4th November
7pm for 7:30pm
at the Thomas Poole library

12/10/2026

Halloween Crafts at the Thomas Poole Library
Saturday 24th October
10:30 - 12:00

And we’ve got loads of spooky books to get you into the Halloween “spirit!”

10/10/2026

Our Author of the Month is Michael Morpurgo, the award-winning creator of War Horse.

Check out a selection of his work in the children’s section of the library, as well as hundreds of other amazing books for younger readers!

09/10/2026

Address

Castle Street, Nether Stowey
Bridgwater
TA51LN

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 1pm
Wednesday 10am - 1pm
Thursday 3:30pm - 6:30pm
Friday 10am - 1pm
2pm - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

Telephone

+441278732741

Website

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