COMMUNITY volunteers are delighted with the reopening of Culcheth Library.

The library had been closed for some time while renovation works took place to update the building.

For a number of years, volunteers in the area had fought to ensure that the library was not permanently closed by the council.

Warrington Guardian: The reopening event was well attendedThe reopening event was well attended (Image: Charlotte Nichols MP)

Culcheth Library is one of the town's oldest and was in dire need of improvements.

Following extensive refurbishment work, the library was officially reopened with a ceremony on November 10.

The ceremony was attended by well-known author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, whose credits include episodes of Doctor Who, among other works.

A plaque was unveiled by Cottrell-Boyce, alongside the Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Steve Wright.

Rachelle Carter, director at Madeleine Lindley, which organised for Cottrell-Boyce to attend, said: “It is fantastic that Culcheth is keeping and improving their library. We are grateful to Frank for coming to open the library.

"Most importantly, we are also so pleased to see local pupils attending.

"It is so important to have pupils engaging with literature, and libraries are a crucial part of achieving that, which is why we need to make sure libraries stay open and school libraries are well-stocked with up-to-date books.”

Frank Cottrell-Boyce said at the unveiling: "For me growing up, the library wasn’t just about books; it was all about having a nice quiet space where I could escape to with my mum.

"So it was really magical for me. By spending time in the library, I not only read books, but it was a place to go where I could feel that my mum loved me, and you can’t put a measure on that.

“And where do you begin with Madeleine Lindley? It feels like the most magical bookshop in the world. You walk into Madeleine Lindley and it’s full of colour and possibility, it’s an enchanting place.”

The ceremony  was also attended by MP for Warrington North, Charlotte Nichols, who said: "Today has been a really fantastic day for Culcheth.

"The children were really excited to meet Frank, and getting to talk to him about his writing process and how he got into writing is huge.

"With so much of the public sphere being hollowed out, places like this are very precious. I think of what Frank said about what being in a library meant to him: a place where you could be loved and safe, and finding the joy of reading is something that we want for every child.”