LEDBURY Library Development Group have been making great strides in their bid to obtain new books for the library's new location within the Master’s House. Fundraising activities have been held, including a morning with Paul Costello, author of The Great Escape, which gave an insight into his time running a bed and breakfast establishment in deepest Shropshire. The event proved popular with much fun and laughter. Money raised at the Paul Costello and Suzette Hill events, along with coffee mornings has enabled the group to purchase children’s books, which will take pride of place in the dedicated area within the new library. A further £300 has been raised for much-needed audio books, and an anonymous donation of £250 has enabled the purchase of some art history books.

Development group chairman Nina Shields was at Ledbury library to receive the books from Herefordshire senior librarian Jan Nesaratnam. Jan said “'A big thank you to the Ledbury Library Development Group for this marvellous donation. It will be brilliant to have these books in the larger children's area which we are setting up in the Master's House for next spring.”

Nina commented: “We want to encourage children to read and we are delighted that our first donation has bought so many lovely children's books. We know from talking to families who use the library that the current children's area in the library is very cramped, which is why it makes sense to have the new books where there is more room, in the new library. Our next challenge is to raise £750 for a 'quick pick' shelf unit. We are holding a "putting the fun into fundraising" quiz at the Feathers Hotel in Ledbury on November 21 at 7pm as our next fundraising event. Tickets will be available from the library shortly. Please join us and raise money to support our wonderful library facilities.”