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Wing Community Library - Progress Report – 24 November 2011
Wing Community Library - Progress Report – 24 November 2011
The Library Steering Group, formed early this year, consists of a core of eight members, who have been meeting regularly. We have been joined at different times by our District councillor, Parish Councillors, representatives of the County Council, one of the local school librarians and other interested parties. We have distributed and analysed a questionnaire; and sub-committees have been focussing on finance, volunteers and the Business Plan. Recently one member has been shadowing the current librarians and writing a manual for volunteers; and the possibility of becoming a charity is being explored.
The Steering Group is committed to running not just a Library Service, but an extended community resource for the benefit of the residents of Wing and surrounding villages, in partnership with the County Council. In particular we wish to retain this facility for those who cannot easily obtain Library services elsewhere and need a place close to home i.e. children and older people.
Our Business Plan has now been submitted to the County Council Library Strategy Project Board. Once approved there will be a transition period from January to August 2012, during which time volunteers will work alongside the present librarians and receive training from the County Council to allow the Library to commence as a Community Library, run solely by volunteers, from September 2012. During the transition period policies and procedures will be finalised for health & safety, volunteers, stock, marketing and finance.
Once the Community Library is fully established the Steering Group will become the Management Committee with an equal status for all, but members will take on specific responsibilities.
Our aims are:
- to create and follow a financially sustainable plan for the running of the Library;
- to maintain the service in the current premises;
- to encourage and increase membership and usage by Wing residents and those of neighbouring hamlets and villages;
- to increase the opening hours and expand the stock;
- to enhance the IT facilities in order to serve more people of all ages offering opportunities for lifelong learning;
- to establish the Library as an information hub;
- to provide additional activities - in particular those that will generate income and bring ‘added value’ to the community;
- to work in collaboration with the existing school libraries to encourage reading and bring enhanced opportunities to young people;
- to involve residents in running the Library and making decisions about its future direction in order to give a sense of ownership
In conclusion, our mission is:
‘To provide a welcoming environment for local people to enjoy books, have easy access to information, develop lifelong learning interests, and meet with each other.’
Tabby Cat Found
Do you own a male Tabby Cat of approximately 4 to 5 years old that has gone missing? He was found in Ledburn on the 15th July. He is very friendly and affectionate and I would like him to be reunited with his owner.
If you think this is your cat, could you please contact Nikki on 07984 256931
Library Questionnaire Results Summary
The Wing Library Group would like to thank everyone who took the trouble to complete and return the questionnaire. Although the response was disappointingly small there are some interesting findings.
All credit to Lynn Stuart for encouraging some schoolchildren to fill in questionnaires. Although many of them do not live in the village, they give us some access to how young people think about the idea of a library and where there interests lie.
Of the non-school responses, it is interesting that almost half of those do not actually use Wing Library currently. This indicates (as also found in Chalfont St Giles) that many people support the idea of a local library and therefore may be willing to give some financial support as Friends.
With regard to opening times – perhaps more of the young people would use the library if it was open at times that suit them better. Having access to the computers was particularly appealing to the younger people – though for some the main interest is to be able to play games. At least it would keep them off the streets!
Of the various other activities asked about, for the non-school respondents a second hand book shop, use of a photocopier, coffee & reading newspapers, and a village history project were the most popular – and some of these could actually generate some income.
There were many offers of help, and these will be followed up – perhaps in particular those people with the rarer finance, business and marketing skills.
Wing Library Developments
Wing Library is going to become a community partnership library. This is due to reductions in funding for library services across Buckinghamshire.
A group of interested villagers are looking at what this will mean for the village.
We would like to hear your views so that the ‘new’ library will develop in the way that people want.
Questionnaire
Please download the questionnaire (docx - requires Word 2007 or higher) and spend a few minutes to let us know your thoughts.
Please send your replies by email to or by hand/post to Wing Library by 31 June 11.
Further information about Wing Library and developments will be posted to the new "Library" page under "The Village" section of the website.
2011 Election of Parish Councillors for Wing
Notice is hereby given that:
- A poll for the election of Parish Councillors for Wing will be held on Thursday 5 May 2011 between the hours of 7:00 am and 10:00 pm.
- The number of Parish Councillors to be elected is eleven.
- The names and home addresses of the candidates remaining validly nominated for election are as follows:
| Name of Candidate | Home Address |
|---|---|
| BENSON, John James | 50 Wantage Crescent |
| COLLIER, Claire Catherine | 22 Moorhills Crescent |
| CRUTCHFIELD, Margaret Ann | 11 Moorlands Road |
| HAWES, Peter | 6 Castle Close |
| HELLGREN-DERRY, Charlotte | 23 Chesterfield Crescent |
| JONES-WILLIAMS, Sarah Helen | 29 Rothschild Road |
| KELLY, Mark | Burcott Hall Farm Cottage |
| KELLY, Sean Daniel | 8 Vicarage Lane |
| NAGHI, Stephen | 4 Ridgeway |
| NIXON, John Arthur | 53 Leighton Road |
| SANDERS, Chris | 29 Dormer Avenue |
| SHRUBSOLE, Martin Richard | 21 Moorlands Road |
| STUART, Lynn Barbara | 2 Prospect Place |
Parish Council Elections - Meet the candidates
The parish council will be holding an informal ‘meet your parish council candidates’ session at their next meeting. It will be your chance to meet your current parish councillors and prospective new councillors before you vote on the 5th May.
Tuesday 26th April, 2011. Wing village (small) hall , 8pm.
All welcome!
Free Scooter and Bike Marking
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Tina Hobson from Wing Police Station will be at Jubilee Green Recreation Ground, Wing at 1pm on Saturday 19 February, offering scooter and bike marking for children and adults. She will also be doing the same at Stewkley Recreation Ground at 1pm on Sunday 20 February. Everyone is welcome to attend.
If you would like to speak with PCSO Hobson, she can be contacted via the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.
Wing Library Workshop
Bucks County Council are running a workshop regarding library services in Bucks and Wing Library in particular. Note booking is required. Details of the workshop below.
Get Involved: Developing libraries for the future in Buckinghamshire
Come along and develop ideas with us for Wing Library
We want to find practical and local solutions to ensure a library service that meets your needs. Join our workshop to take forward ideas that could work in your community.
Booking required - Register for this workshop by emailing or call 01296 382160.
Date: 1st March 2011
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Location: Wing Village Hall
The view from the Vicarage - Feb 2011
Two men, deep in conversation, walked down a bustling city street. One is at home, the other visiting from the countryside.
Passing a tree, the visitor suddenly stopped. ‘Can you hear that?’ he asked as pedestrians squeezed and bumped past them.
‘Hear what?’ his friend replied.
‘The cricket singing. It must be in the tree.’ He leant with one ear towards the tree to tune into the source of the song.
‘There’s no cricket, it’s in your head!’ the city worker exclaimed, as a woman walked by shouting into her phone. ‘And, even if there were, you’d never hear it over the noise of all these people and this traffic.’
The visitor’s friend laughed and walked on.
But, as he did so, the visitor pulled a small coin from his pocket and let it drop to the ground. The coin hit the pavement and quietly rolled to rest.
Intuitively his friend twisted his head round, glancing over his shoulder at the ground to search for the coin. At the same moment, perhaps twenty other pedestrians surreptitiously scanned the ground as they walked by.
With a smile, the visitor looked at his friend and said, ‘You’re listening to the wrong tune.’
When we become attuned to the music of creation, we notice God’s harmonies everywhere. We hear them in the echoes of the mountain range and the heaving of the sea, sitting round a meal table with friends, in the shining eyes of an old man who allows a memory to touch the surface of his mind, in the quiet contentment of a babbling baby.
Those who do not listen will not hear. Those who do not search will see nothing but the obvious: ‘in spite of his wonders, they did not believe’ Psalm 78:32
Taken from apprentice walking the way of Christ by Steve Chalke with Joanna Wyld
Shalom
Rev Derek Witchell
07538 840 063
The View from the Vicarage - December 2010
Years ago a wealthy widower, shared a passion for art collecting with his only child, Mark. Together they travelled around the world, adding priceless works to their collection by the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet.
As winter approached, war engulfed their nation, and Mark left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram; his beloved son had died saving the life of a fellow soldier. Distraught, the old man faced the approaching Christmas with anguish and sadness.
On Christmas morning a knock on the door woke him. At the door was a soldier with a large package. “I was a friend of Mark,” the soldier said. “I was the one he rescued. May I come in, I have something to show you?”
The old man learned that Mark had rescued dozens of soldiers before a bullet took his caring heart. The soldier then recounted how Mark had spoken of his father’s love of fine art. Giving the package to the old man, the soldier told him, “I’m an artist. I want you to have this.”
The old man unwrapped the package revealing a portrait of his son. The canvas featured the young man’s face in striking detail, though the world would never consider the painting the work of a genius. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier as he left.
The old man set about hanging the portrait above the fireplace, pushing aside paintings by masters that had cost thousands of dollars. Seating himself in his chair, he spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given. In the weeks that followed, the man grew peaceful realizing that Mark lived on because of those he had touched.
The following Spring, the old man became ill and died. The art world stirred in anticipation of the public auction of the old man's estate. He had stipulated that his collection be sold on Christmas Day—the day he had received his greatest gift. On the appointed day art collectors from around the world gathered to bid.
The auction began with a painting not on any museum’s must-have list—the soldier's painting of the old man’s son. “May I have an opening bid?” The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” the Auctioneer prompted. Minutes passed and still no one spoke. “Who cares about that painting?” shouted a bidder from the back of the room, “It’s just a picture of his son. Forget it, go on to the good stuff.”
“No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the son?” Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. “I'd like to have the painting. I knew the boy. Will you take ten dollars for it? That’s all I have.”
“I have ten dollars," called the auctioneer. “Will anyone go higher?” More silence. “Going once... Going twice," he said looking around for any takers. “Gone,” he said at last.
“Now we can get on with bidding on these treasures!” said the man from the back.
Over the microphone the auctioneer said. “Thank you for coming. The auction is now over.”
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. “What do you mean it’s over?” growled an irate bidder, “What about all of these other paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here!”
“It’s very simple," replied the auctioneer. “According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son... gets it all.
(Adapted from 2001 Youth Specialities Inc)
That is the will of the Father today. Whoever takes the Son... gets it all. When you take Jesus the Christ, the babe born in a manger in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, as your Saviour, you will have the riches of life to its fullest (John 10:10, Matthew 6:33) – the only Christmas present worth having!
Debbie and I wish you all a very peaceful and blessed Christmas
Shalom
Rev Derek Witchell
07538 840 063
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