Broadacres grant and Waterstones branch support Brompton library

Land at Brompton was leased to the village for community use 40 years ago and a pavilion built in 2011.

Thanks to the efforts of the Brompton Recreation Group, the pavilion is back up and running after lockdown and used for children’s parties, café, sports, and community events.

Now a grant from the Broadacres Community Development Fund will help convert an unused changing room into a library.

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Trustee Barbara Slater said the library has taken on extra significance with the country facing a cost of living crisis.

“Sadly, some will regard books as a luxury they cannot afford so we’re happy for people to either borrow a book from us, to keep it permanently or pass on to someone else,” said Barbara.

Previously books had been left for people to peruse in the pavilion café and then a small side room. Now volunteers will use the grant from Broadacres to help convert an unused changing room into a dedicated book room, complete with carpet and bookshelves.

“We regularly receive book donations and recently we were contacted by a local Waterstones who asked if we would like samples of new release books they are sent which cannot be put on sale, these are virtually brand new,” said Barbara.

“Many still prefer the feel of a book to reading one online and we’ve seen interest from a wide range of people including parents and children, pensioners, people who’ve been watching the football on the field and passing cyclists stopping off for a cuppa.”

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The Broadacres Community Development Fund supports local organisations, groups, and projects in areas where Broadacres has homes. All grants are approved by the Association’s own residents, via a Community Development Fund Panel.

Broadacres resident Patrick Lewis-Brown, who is on the Panel, said: “This is a fantastic initiative which is encouraging people to read free of charge, so we had no hesitation in approving the maximum £500 grant.”

Applications for Broadacres’ 2022/23 Community Development Fund are still being accepted and people/organisations can visit www.broadacres.org.uk/customer-area/getting-involved/community-development-fund to find out more.