Downton Abbey saves village library with £20,000 donation

Under-funded library in Bampton, in Oxfordshire, saved by £20,000 given to villagers for putting up with shooting of Downton Abbey

Bampton Library, formerly a church, serves as the exterior for Downton Cottage Hospital Photo: EDDIE MULHOLLAND FOR THE TELEGRAPH

By Alice Philipson and agencies

The Telegraph 27 May 2014

Downton Abbey has helped to save a village library after it donated £20,000 to residents for putting up with the shooting of the hit ITV show.

Bampton, in Oxfordshire, was given the sum by London-based production company Carnival for supporting the crew during the fuss and commotion of filming in the village.

The sum has been set aside by Bampton Parish Council to fund half the £8,800 staffing costs the village must pay each year to keep Bampton Library up and running after its funding was dramatically cut in 2011.

Bampton parish council Chairwoman Jacky Allinson said: "The money has enabled us to keep a professional library open.

"We could choose to use it for something else but once you lose it, it won't come back. 
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