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Library book returned - 70 years late
Ben Bailey11.08.09
A library book borrowed before war broke out in 1939 has been returned - 70 years overdue.
Iris Chadwick took out the score of the musical Rose Marie from Cubitt Town Library on the Isle of Dogs, east London, when she was 13.
The drama of war breaking out meant she forgot to return the book and it has remained in her piano stool until now.
Luckily council chiefs decided not to charge her overdue fees which, at 10p a day, would have amounted to more than £2,500.
The 83-year-old, who has been married for 63 years, left east London for Dorset and found the Poplar Borough Council book when having a clear-out.
She submitted an online form to Tower Hamlets Council, which took over from Poplar council in 1965.
She wrote on the form: "Would you like to have this, or should I just scrap it?
"After 70 years I really could not afford to pay the fine but I could just about manage the postage."
The council has an amnesty for overdue books which runs out on October 31.
Piano-playing Mrs Chadwick said: "I was going to take it to the charity shop but thought it still belongs to the library, so perhaps I should check.
"I've hung on to the book for so long because it was part of my childhood.
"It brings back memories of the teacher who caught me playing the piano and instead of telling me off, told me to go to the library and borrow the music.
"When you open the book, you can see the 'Strattondale Street' label - that just takes me back."
Councillor Rofique U Ahmed said: "It just goes to show it's never too late to return a book."
