Wokingham

A week of celebrations at Wokingham Library culminated in a big party on Friday November 3, when Wokingham District Council chairman Cllr Angus Ross joined staff to wish the library a happy tenth birthday. Cllr Ross, along with Wokingham Town Mayor Dianne King, attended the party and cut the library’s birthday cake, which was kindly provided by Waitrose in Wokingham. Library users joined staff past and present for the celebration, and £130 in donations was collected for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust (TVCAA).

Wokingham Library on Denmark Street first opened its doors to the public on October 28, 1996. Ten years on, it is still a vital resource to the district’s residents, and boasts many new services and features. Cllr Ross said: “Many new service developments have been made over the past 10 years - including the creation of the Learning Zone and the LearnDirect centre, as well as the introduction of free internet access and refreshment facilities at the library. I have also been very impressed to see such a variety of community events taking place here - from children's storytimes to family history advice days. I would like to wish all the hardworking people involved in the library many happy returns.”

The chairman also thanked people for their donations to the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust, which is his nominated charity this year. It is a charity funded by the businesses and people of the Thames Valley supporting a Bolkow 105 helicopter carrying life-saving equipment and paramedics to emergencies best reached by air. To date, the helicopter has answered over 8,000 emergency calls within the Thames Valley area, saving many lives.

As well as raising money for a good cause, the week long celebration in the library included birthday themed children's activities, a children's "design a birthday cake" competition, an Indian dance workshop, and a staff party.

Wokingham District Council