A DECADE of providing literature to the people of Stalbridge was celebrated at an event last month.

On February 26, 32 volunteers and Friends of Stalbridge Community Library gathered at the Hub@Stalbridge to celebrate 10 years since the community rallied to save the facility.

Stalbridge Town Council funded tea and a celebration cake, while the Friends group supplied the bubbly to make the occasion one to remember.

Stalbridge Community Library

Chair of the Library Management Group, Margaret Jackson, thanked all the volunteers, without whom there would be no library, and the council for its support.

Margaret was also presented with a floral arrangement from the council,  before the celebration cake, depicting the Stalbridge Library logo and balloons celebrating 10 years was cut by Margaret, Councillor Graham Carr-Jones and Tim Lee, who had been instrumental in setting up the Friends group.

The group successfully campaigned to maintain a library in the town after it was earmarked for potential closure during an efficiency review by then-Dorset County Council.

“In February 2013, the Stalbridge Community Managed Library opened its doors, and since then, a remarkable team of volunteers has worked tirelessly, and with the support of a Dorset Library Service officer, have kept the library open,” a spokesperson said.

“The most recent challenge of course has been Covid, which the management team took in their stride, and guided the volunteers through the various stages to emerge successfully.

“The Community Library provides access to books and reading, participation in the Summer Reading Challenge, Libraries West reading activities, and hosts social events such as Author Talks.

“There is also a space for people to work or study, with free WiFi available at the Hub.”

For more information, including details of upcoming author talks, visit www.stalbridgelibrary.org.