Corrie star in town for library re-opening

Look who's coming to Heywood: Coronation Street star Samia Smith will visit Heywood Library on 28 February.

Actress Samia Smith will be in Heywood on Saturday to officially open the town’s new-look library.

The 26 year old television favourite, best known for playing ‘Maria’ in ITV soap ‘Coronation Street’, will join the Mayor, Councillor Robin Parker, Jim Dobbin MP and local councillors to mark the occasion at around 12.15pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend the opening, and view the new-look facilities. The library will be open all day and free membership will be available for any non-members who would like to join.

The Grade 2 listed building on Church Street has been carefully restored and refurbished and now boasts 12 computers with free high speed internet access, new children’s area, community meeting room, teenagers’ area and a display case for local history.

Samia will be signing autographs and chatting to visitors during the event, being staged by Rochdale Council as part of a drive to promote local libraries and encourage everyone to read more.

Sheila Sfrijan, Principal Librarian at Rochdale Council, said last minute preparations are in full swing for the big day: “I encourage everyone to come down and discover what your beautiful modern library has to offer. Samia supported last years National Year of Reading and is really keen to encourage reading from an early age. She’s looking forward to Saturday.”

Children of all ages and their families will also be able have an hour of fun from 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm with John Piper’s Puppet Show, live in the library.