'Our love story started at the library'

15 hours ago

Grace McGroryin Anlaby Park

BBC / Grace McGrory The photo shows two people smiling at the camera. The woman on the left is wearing a cream-coloured dress. The man on the right is wearing a navy waistcoat, cream tie, and white shirt. They're standing in front of shelves that are filled with books, and have two pink bows hanging from them. — Mandy and Adrian Strickland met at Anlaby Park Community Library

A community-run library has become an unlikely temple of love after four couples found romance in the stacks.

Volunteers took over Anlaby Park Community Library when it was due to close in 2013 as part of budget cuts by Hull City Council.

One couple, Adrian and Mandy Strickland, even hosted a celebration there on their wedding day earlier this month.

Adrian said: "I would say get yourself involved, not necessarily in the local library, but in the community. You will meet people - and hopefully you'll gain some happiness."

Mandy and Adrian had been friends for 10 years before a romance started to blossom between them in 2025.

Mandy said: "Neither of us expected it. We just didn't, so it's lovely.

"I was just getting on with my life, minding my own business. Then this chap comes into it, and tells me he can make a cake. So I said, 'go on then then, make us one for the library.'

"And he's now been doing that for 10 years or so. It's just amazing!"

'Library of love'

Adrian said having a small celebration at the library on their wedding day was "just the natural thing to do."

Mandy added: "The library's really close to my heart. We have lots of events here and it's just such a lovely place to come and visit.

"We thought this would be the most appropriate place to have it - just a few friends and family and the BBC."

BBC / Grace McGrory The photo shows a man and a woman smiling at the camera. The man on the left has a grey striped shirt, and is wearing glasses. The woman on the right is wearing a floral top. They're standing in front of a white building. — Sandra and Chris also met at the library - and have been together for 10 years

Another couple, Chris Mead and Sandra Signoretti, also met at the library while doing a jigsaw together.

They have now been together for 10 years.

Sandra said: "Definitely other people noticed it before we did. It sort of crept upon us."

Chris said: "It's a very welcoming space.

"It's not like meeting somebody at the city hall, for example. It's like walking into somebody's living room here. Perhaps that's it.

"I would encourage people to come and use this library."

Sandra said: "If they meet somebody, it's a bonus."

BBC / Grace McGrory The photo shows a white building. It has a tiled roof and two Georgian style windows. There is multi-coloured bunting also hanging from it. — Anlaby Park Community Library will undergo structural repair work to ensure its future

Community effort

The library was due to close at the end of March 2013 but residents campaigned to keep it open.

In 2014, the Friends of Anlaby Park Library were officially given the lease to take it over.

Between 60 and 80 volunteers help with the day-to-day running of the library and organising fundraising events.

A major refurbishment of the building is planned. The exterior works will be funded by the council, while the interior will be paid for through money raised by volunteers.

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices