Game on as board fans mark library’s 70th anniversary
BOARD games will make a comeback as part of celebrations for Mirfield Library’s 70th birthday tomorrow.
Former Mirfield toy shop owner Paul Kerfoot set up the Game On! board games club at the library in 2016.
And tomorrow Paul and other board game fans will be turning back the clock as the library marks its anniversary.
Between 11am and 1.30pm at the library, off Huddersfield Road, there will be all kinds of activities.
There will be competitions, live music, free books, book swaps, birthday cake and – of course – the chance to relive the past by playing some of the best vintage and retro board games around.
Paul, 52, who previously ran the Emag (‘game’ backwards) shop in Nettleton Road, said the celebrations offered a chance to ditch technology and go old school.
“We are really looking forward to introducing – or re-introducing – people to board games,” he said.
“People can play some of our favourite games or bring their own. They can come and have a laugh, a brew and avoid the T V – and tablet devices – for a day to remember.”
Paul, also a big fan of Subbuteo table football, said it wasn’t just about the well-known board games such as Monopoly, Cluedo or Scrabble. His group had re-discovered some longlost games from the past, thanks to a book he was given as a present.
“Everyone should continue to play, whatever age they are,” he said. “I would urge people to dust off the cobwebs, travel back in time and rediscover their childhood.
“Let’s get youngsters – and their parents – off their flippin’ gadgets!”
Paul teamed up with former Mayor of Mirfield, David Pinder, to form the club, which meets on the third Wednesday of every month.
There is currently a campaign to keep Mirfield Library open amid cuts by Kirklees Council.