"Thomas Hardy at Old Milton"

 Before the move to the superb new library, the people of Milton had their library in a small single-storey rectangular building behind the local church. There are many narrow pedestrian lanes in this area, only really practical for those with local knowledge, which give the place an oddly rural feeling. This, together with the distance from the hustle and bustle of the city, brings to mind the intense imagery of the opening sequences of Hardy's "Jude the Obscure". A young boy gazes longingly at the golden glow in the distance. The city of spires, of course, is not quite what he imagines it to be.