Friends' reports

FCCCL Committee Report – January 2024

This year has again seen an increase in the number of people using the library and some successful projects, including the recent installation of solar panels with the help of a grant from Low Carbon Dorset and the valued input of Mike Potter, who produced the plans, and David Kemp, who gave invaluable advice.

We continue to see families with young children using the library regularly. We have added decorations to the windows to encourage more younger visitors, and with the help of Inge and our Storytime team, we have re-established links with the pre-school.  We have continued the ‘Warm Cuppa’ offer throughout the year, providing an opportunity for a sit down and a chat for those who want it.

We had some interesting talks from Gerry Stoker on Conspiracy Theories, Trev Haysom on Purbeck Stone, Louise Haywood on Norden and the Weldmar Hospice team.  Some talks were so well-attended that we had to move them to the Village Hall.  We’re looking forward to David and Chris Kemp’s talk on their trip to Antarctica this month.

Barry Stocks and Mags Pettitt took over the garden this year, and have tidied it up ready for the winter and spring.  Many thanks to them for their extra contribution on top of their volunteering inside the library.

In September we celebrated 10 years as a community library.  It is a real community venture, with customers, Friends and volunteers all contributing to a thriving village asset.  The service level agreement with Dorset Council is being renegotiated and will hopefully be renewed this month.

The annual accounts show a generally healthy balance. Thanks again to Joan and also to our new treasurer Karen.  We have moved to a new treasurer’s bank account which is easier to manage.

Thanks to all the committee, the Friends and all our dedicated volunteers – your help is what keeps the library going. Thanks to Martyn for all his work on events and publicity.  Also thanks go to Brian for producing all the rotation lists, which keep volunteers busy and the library stock refreshed.

Alison Allwright (Chair, Friends of Corfe Castle Community Library)