Off to see the Queen!

The lady who saved Canton Library is going to London to see the Queen.

Edith Spackman, 94, from Ely, has been nominated to attend a Royal Garden Party for her wartime efforts when as a young librarian she prevented Canton Library from burning down during the 1941 bombings of the city.

Now 76 years later, great-grandmother Edith is preparing to go to London on Thursday (June 1) to spend a relaxed summer afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace.

Edith said: "I just can't believe it all. I'll wake up in the morning and think what's all this about?

"I daren't think too much about it or I'll get the collywobbles!"

Now living at Regency House Care Home in Ely, Edith will be joined by Tracy Hiscock from the team there and the pair will head to London in style in a Rolls Royce Ghost, which has been arranged by the care home.

Staff and residents from the home waving Union Jack flags will see the pair off in the morning on June 1.

Edith's daughter-in-law Ruth Fisher said: "We think all this is fabulous. We've always known about the story and have talked about it for years."

When an incendiary bomb fell through the roof of Canton Library in January 1941, Edith sprang into action pumping water onto the fire to stop it from spreading.

Nearby Canton High School had been hit badly in the raid and Edith recalls a ‘shell' of a building but thanks to her efforts, the library survived.

Edith's story was recorded with staff from Cardiff libraries including neighbourhood development librarian, Richard Boardman, using archives and records including photos past and present, newspaper cuttings and even Edith's employment records to remind her of that era.

The work is part of the library service's outreach activities which includes visiting local care homes to meet with residents and is part of the strong focus the service places on the health and wellbeing agenda.

Cardiff Libraries lead librarian Nicola Pitman said: "This is such a wonderful story. The library service has been privileged to work with Edith to record her recollections of that time for future generations to come.

"Our outreach work brings people together to encourage conversations and spark memories so we are able to preserve treasures just like Edith's story.

"We're delighted she's been invited to a Royal Garden Party and hope she has a fantastic day this week."