Library book borrowed in 1939 returned 70 years overdue...

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:21 PM on 11th August 2009


A library book borrowed before war broke out in 1939 has finally 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.

Iris Chadwick took 70 years to return the score of the musical Rose Marie to Cubitt Town Library, east London

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.

As her book lay in the stool - undamaged by the imminent Blitz - man walked on the Moon, England won the football World cup and the age of the internet arrived.

Piano player Iris borrowed the music when she was 13

Piano-playing Mrs Chadwick said: '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.

'I was going to take it to the charity shop but thought it still belongs to the library, so perhaps I should check.'

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?'

Iris said: 'After 70 years I really could not afford to pay the fine but I could just about manage the postage.'

Councillor Rofique U Ahmed said: 'It just goes to show it's never too late to return a book.'

The council has an amnesty for overdue books which runs out on October 31. -www.dailymail.co.uk

Cubitt Town library: Tower Hamlets Council waived the overdue fine