Press release from the Trustees of the Old Library and Calderdale Council:
On Monday 3 April from 2pm, the Trustees of The Old Library in Cornholme and Portsmouth are holding the first AGM in their new larger community building. With the help of a £380,000 grant from Reaching Communities Big Lottery Fund, the building has more space and some new staff organising events and running the café.
The Old Library building on Parkside Road, Cornholme, has a new meeting room, kitchen space and direct access to the vegetable garden so that you can come and sit outside with a cup of tea and potter with the gardening volunteers. On Monday 3 April you can look around the building, grab a cup of tea and hear about the past year and plans for the future.
This meeting is an opportunity for everyone to contribute their ideas and work with the staff and trustees, but it’s only one of the new things happening. There is a new newsletter and you can find them on Facebook and the website OldLibrary.org.uk(external link)
The building is now open 9.30am – 4pm, Monday to Friday with a programme of events. Details are online or in the window of the building.
Rachel Julian, Chair of the Trustees said:
“The many people and volunteers who have contributed to the activities and making this project work deserve thanks and celebration. After years of hard work by the local community it is great to see the refurbished library building open for business and we hope it will be real focal point for people of all ages. We are looking forward to the cups of tea and marvellous cakes in the garden this summer, and children bringing their parents to craft and summer activities. New courses are starting for work and everyday skills and new volunteering opportunities. Come and join us one day!”
The Old Library project has been going since 2011 and running a work club, parent and toddler group, community lunches, food bank and other community activities in the old branch library on Parkside Road.
The project has been led by local people and supported with grants from Big Lottery, Calderdale Council, the Community Foundation for Calderdale, Todmorden Town Council and Todmorden Ward Forum.
The Old Library is one of Calderdale Council’s Community Anchors, which is a pioneering network of community projects across Calderdale who work together and with the Council to improve the way services and support are provided in local communities.
Cllr Susan Press, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said:
“The Old Library is a fantastic facility for local people. We are delighted to be working with this community organisation as part of our Keep it Local programme, which is about us working more with local groups to help transform services, deliver more for residents and achieve our ambitions for Calderdale. We have also supported the Old Library with a grant to help deliver its volunteering scheme.”
For further information contact Rachel Julian, Chair of the Trustees on 07703 120806.