A former chartered accountant has started a new chapter in retirement, recruiting volunteers, including pupils on work experience from Bradford Grammar School, to help him run the local community library in Idle.
At the age of 82 with a team of 26 part-timers who he brought together. The library opened in March at the Wright Watson Enterprise Centre and operates two-and-a-half-days a week. It’s going from strength to strength while other Bradford libraries face uncertain futures because of Council cutbacks.
The project receives support from Inspired Neighbourhoods, which owns the building on Albion Street, Thorpe Garth. It already has about 60 members, ranging from children to a 94-year-old. Bradford Central Libraries updates the library’s shelf stock, which includes 1,500 books for adults, 300 books for children and 240 audio tapes. People can also use a bank of computers to find work, apply online and do research.
The new community library was opened on World Book Day this year by the then Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds. Cllr Jeannette Sunderland, who is chairman of Inspired Communities, helped co-ordinate the creation of the new community facility on the enterprise centre’s ground.
She said: “It’s a great success. It’s good to see people are also using the library to access other services like using the computers and getting benefits advice.”
“It’s a great success. It’s good to see people are also using the library to access other services like using the computers and getting benefits advice.”
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