Pam Ayres MBE - writer, broadcaster and entertainer – set to officially reopen Lechlade Community Li
Lechlade
Venue: Lechlade Community Library
Pam Ayres MBE – writer, broadcaster, entertainer and one of the UK’s most celebrated and successful poets – is set to officially reopen Lechlade Community Library in Gloucestershire on Thursday 5th December 2024 at 11am following the library’s closure for refurbishment.
In 2012, eight libraries across the county of Gloucestershire were closed due to cost saving measures. In an effort to preserve the library in Lechlade, locals negotiated with Gloucestershire County Council to turn it into a community library, operated by unpaid volunteers. Since then, Lechlade Community Library has acquired a dedicated and passionate group of 40+ volunteers, including seven trustees, who donate their time, energy and efforts into supporting this much-loved community library. Lechlade Library Ltd (a registered charity) is open six days a week, providing not just the opportunity to loan books to members, but offering tourism advice, community information, rhyme and story time sessions for young children, reading challenges and assistance with use of computers and printers.
In November 2024, a planned refurbishment of Lechlade Community Library took place, following the efforts of the community to secure help from the National Lottery, grants from Lechlade Town Council, Cotswold Council, and Lechlade Heritage and Development fund, combined with huge support from local organisations, individuals and generous donations.
The refurbishment of the library has included updates to the decoration and storage, improvements to the use of space, as well as addressing issues of damp. New carpets, bookshelves and reception desk have all be installed, and updates to the heating and lighting, plus the installation of secondary glazing, have all improved the running costs and sustainability of the library.
A spokesperson from the Volunteers of Lechlade Community Library, said: “We are all excited and eager to return to our refurbished Library soon. Laura Thornton has pained a beautiful mural of the Grade II listed Halfpenny Bridge and the River Thames running beneath it, which will welcome everyone entering the library. Laura has also added some mural painting work to brighten up the children’s area. We are extremely grateful to all the people and businesses whom have made these changes possible.”
Pam Ayres – one of the UK’s most celebrated, successful and beloved poets – will officially re-open Lechlade Community Library on Thursday 5th December at 11am.
Trustees of Lechlade Community Library continued: “We are delighted that Pam Ayres will be officially reopening the library for us. Pam has inspired us to hold a special poetry competition for children and adults to mark our refurbishment and reopening, on the theme ‘Our Library’. Pam will be presenting the winning child with one of her lovely books. We’ll also enjoy performances from some of the pupils of the local school, St Lawrence Church of England Primary School in Lechlade. We hope to welcome lots of friendly faces to celebrate the occasion with us.”
Pam Ayres, who resides in Gloucestershire, said: “I remember the day at Stanford in the Vale Primary School when it was announced that we now had a school library. The little collection of books was housed on a shelf about one metre long, so as libraries go, it was modest. As invited, I went along that lunchtime and our teacher Miss Edmunds, gave me two books: Just William by Richmal Crompton and Wish For A Pony by Monica Edwards. I adored both of them and I’m sure that my love of reading began then and there. Libraries are desperately important. As far as I’m concerned, the more the better.”
https://www.lechladelibrary.co.uk/
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