Charmouth Central is revealed to the community (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Charmouth Central is revealed to the community

5:13pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Local News By Adrianne Maslen

THE community of Charmouth has welcomed the re-opening of the village library by a team of local volunteers.

The library, now known as Charmouth Central, was the busiest it has ever been as residents took a first look at the revamped facility.

It has been closed since January for building and decorating work to take place and was revealed to the public today.

It marks the official handover of the freehold of the building from Dorset County Council to Charmouth Central.

Hazel Robinson, chairman of the Friends of Charmouth Library, said the day has gone 'brilliantly'.

She said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that everyone has come, it's been absolutely heaving.

"I didn't think we would ever get it done it time, but we did.

"We have picked up a lot of new volunteers but we could always do with more.

"Everyone has been enthusiastic, I think they have liked what we have done and I think they can see it's a new regime and that we are going to try and make it of far more use to the village."

Angela Healy and Joan Aldworth were curious to see the work the volunteers had done.

Mrs Healy said: "I'm pleased it's staying open, there are people in the village who really rely on it. A lot of hard work has gone in.

"We've lost so many things in the village so it's once that we've managed to keep this."

Mrs Aldworth started going to the village library 50 years ago and was impressed with the new look.

"It's a lovely idea for the village, as long as people use it," she said.

Carolyn Sparks worked in libraries for 10 years and appreciates how valuable the service is in the community.

She said: " We are just thrilled it has been able to stay open and the services it looks like it can offer look wonderful. We hope we can support it in any way we can."

Vicky Whatmore and two-year-old son Archie have already made the most of the new services and enjoy the Rhymetime sessions.

Mrs Whatmore said: "It's really nice to get the kids interested and I have definitely been coming here more since it started.

"I grew up in Charmouth so it's nice to see how the library has changed and it looks fantastic."

Darcie Stainer, nine, will be using the library a lot after school. She said: "I like reading a lot. It's busy here and colourful."

Lynne Butler is one of the volunteers who will be helping out one afternoon a week.

She said: "In a village like Charmouth it is up to us to keep the amenities going. It seemed the library was a way I could help and put a little bit back.

"People have been really interested and seem genuinely pleased that the facility is still going to be here."

It has been a very successful week for the volunteers with news of another successful grant bid, this time £1,000 from Dorset Community Foundation's social inclusion fund.

It is aimed at activities that get elderly people involved in the community, and Charmouth Central will be using it to set up a sewing club.