Local children’s author Simon Chadwick backs Brockenhust C of E Primary School’s ‘Brockanory’ campaign

LOCAL children’s author Simon Chadwick has thrown his backing behind Brockenhurst Primary School’s campaign aimed at saving libraries.

The school has launched ‘Brockanory’ to secure the future of facilities amid local government service cuts, and is also raising funds for a new library of its own.

An illustrator and cartoonist as well as a writer, Simon was at the school for World Book Day.

He told the pupils how much he had loved libraries as a child, saying: “Spending time in libraries definitely led to my love of books; I recall fondly visiting a library each week and being very excited to take home a range of new books.

“Finding a book that sparks a child’s imagination and interest can take time, but libraries have the volume and variety of books to make this happen.”

Headteacher John Littlewood said: “Unfortunately we have seen a number of library closures due to stretched public service budgets, with the recent pandemic also helping to compound this situation.

“Whilst many of us now have access to digital devices and other sources of information, in my opinion libraries are still a vital resource for many, particularly children.

“Where the future of libraries remains uncertain, it is very much up to schools now to bridge the gap for families. With this in mind we are looking to refurbish the school library so that all children have access to age-appropriate material so that they settle and succeed in school.”

The school is asking the local community to get involved with the project, which will be kicked off with a readathon.

Head of the school’s PTA, Krys Yates, said: “The school’s library refurbishment will see an entirely new environment created for the children, which will hopefully reinvigorate their love of reading and learning.

“The total refurbishment will cost approximately £15,000 and will be entirely up to the school to raise for its pupils.”

The school hopes its campaign will be as successful as the one in Lyndhurst, which saw the reopening of a children’s library in 2022, at which villagers offered to man it as volunteers.

To donate to the library visit https://bit.ly/4bwM1ur