So, after months (and months) of discussions, negotiations and legal ‘stuff’, on Monday we finally received the keys to the library.
Over the week, more than 60 people called in to lend a hand and get stuck in as we prepared the building for the arrival, next week, of our contractors, Wallasey-based Kell Developments. We were blown away by the level of support by the community. This meant that every task we’d identified for this week was completed.
All four of the current trustees (Sarah Jones, Ray Lyons, Nadina McShane and me) got stuck in but our efforts were outshone by the commitment, hard graft and dedication of Ian McGinn, our chosen partner to run the (Baked) cafe. If he has his feet up with a beer or two tonight, he deserves it.
On Tuesday, Ed Barnes, the Local Democracy Reporter for the Liverpool Echo and Wirral Globe spent some time with us, talking to people about why the library matters to our community and we are grateful for the articles he published:
Volunteers hope to bring ‘buzz’ back as library set to reopen (Wirral Globe)
Wonderful’ new café plans hope to bring ‘buzz’ back to village (Liverpool Echo)
We also had visits from the council’s appointed heating engineers (who tried) to explain the heating system to us and the ‘water people’ to chlorinate the water supply.
While this is very much a team effort and we don’t want to embarrass anyone, several people deserve a ‘special’ thanks for going above and beyond the call of duty this week…
- Butlers Skips, based in Wallasey, who provided a skip at short notice to remove the accumulated rubbish that was left in the building. Need a skip? call 0151 691 0900
- Ben and Tim from St George’s Primary School who lent various bits of equipment, helped to move various unwanted items and clean up
- Barbara (Wallasey Village Library Friends) who cajoled and corralled members of the Friends and ‘walkers’ to don the marigolds to remove 80+ years of grime from the book shelves
- Nikki Groves, Senior Community Asset Officer at Wirral Council, who has responded to every query and request (ever since we started but especially this week), including sorting today’s leak in the basement…
From the day we first thought of re-opening the library, we always believed that it would be supported by the community. This week has proved it. Thanks everyone.
P.S. If anyone has ‘acquired’ a black bucket, Barbara would like it back. No questions asked.
Well done to the two Ian’s in particular and to Bernie and Sarah at St George’s. It’s really great to be involved in such an invaluable community project. X
So proud to see what has been accomplished in the Library by all the helpers and organised by the two Ians.
Excited to see the work get underway so that beautiful building can shine again and provide a place of comfort and inspiration for our community.
The black bucket may well be with my alcohol spray, in the skip!!
Jokes aside, it’s been absolutely incredible to be a tiny part of this incredible journey with the most amazing people.
Congratulations to all involved! As an ‘outsider’ who comes to the walking group, I am well aware of the strong sense of community based around the library. People really care for each other and for the place where they live. They have worked so hard and, with the help of their local councillor, they have achieved a great result!