Rooms To Re-Open The Reading Rooms in Helmdon are to be officially re-opened on Friday, November 29. An open event is being held at the reading room in the village on the day to mark the completion of the building work at the rooms. Work has been carried out to improve disabled access to the building as well as the refurbishment of its catering facilities. The reading rooms is a Victorian building which was given to the village of Helmdon in 1887 by Charles Fairbrother. It used to act as an alternative place for men to go instead of the pub, to read newspapers and books. It was not used by women until around the time of the First World War. Today, it is used as Helmdon's village hall; parish council meetings take place there as well as the activities of many community groups. Secretary of the committee for the Reading Rooms, Richard Bearman said at the open event there will be a chance to view the work which has been done and it will be a chance for the village to get together to celebrate the winning of the Northamptonshire Village of The Year competition. The event takes place from 7.30pm. Brackley Post - 29th November 2002