St Deiniol's Library in Hawarden North Wales is a unique residential library founded by Prime Minister Gladstone in 1902.

Gladstone collected (and read) thousands of books in his lifetime and set up the library as a study centre for the Church of England.

Timmy's family connection with St Deiniol's comes from his father, Michael Mallett, who studied for his ordination here in the 1960s.

"In those days there was only one phone line - Hawarden 3326 - in a draughty corner of the porch, no mobiles or computers so my father typed letters home to us every day!
He describes how the blind warden led guided tours round North Wales!"

Those letters are like a window on the past and are now kept in the refurbished, sponsored Michael Mallett room with a collection of his paintings and personal memorabilia.

Timmy is a regular visitor to St Deiniol's and is proud to be a patron and support their fund raising and valuable work.

The library is no longer a theological training college for ordinands but is still a popular subsidised centre for people to come for study and stimulation.
There are thousands of visitors every year. People come from all over the world to this quirky and delightful centre for learning - to research books, articles, or just to soak up the atmosphere of this extraordinary place.

There's more on the exciting plans for the future in the Gladstone Project here.

In 2002 Timmy was involved in the centenary celebrations along with The Archbishop of Canterbury - Rowan Williams, Tony Benn, and Lloyd Grosman .

Take a look at the Timmy show at St Deiniol's here

"Just to say how much I enjoyed staying in your father's room at St. Deiniol's Library. I sent text messages to my kids who loved your show and were gloriously touched and damaged by your humour! I shall never forget the look of wonderment as they watched you go past on the back of a waggon in the Westhoughton Gala!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your dad's letters and seeing his art work. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share in something which is obviously very dear to you."

With every blessing.
Revd Stephen Pollard

"thank you for the collection of drawings, letters and painting in the Michael Mallett room at St.Deiniol’s Library. Being another vicar that occasionally dabbles with paint (watercolours are my thing), I enjoyed your commentary as well as your father’s work which gave a fascinating extra light on the pieces displayed. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into making such a delightful, honest and varied mini-exhibition, I thought it was a lovely thing for you to have done in his memory."

Guy Chave-Cox

"I have been staying in the Michael Mallett room at St Deiniol's for the last 5 days and have enjoyed being with the paintings and looking through the books of cuttings and letters. My favourites are the green tank engine above the sink and the study above the nude to the right of the sink. My grandfather was an artist and I grew up with his water colours and marquetry on the walls of the family home - its been nice to have some more paintings for company this week.
I lost my dad six weeks ago and it has been a comfort and privilege to be permitted to have an insight into another obviously much loved father." Thank you. yours

Take a look at the Timmy show at St Deiniol's here