Soap star joins fight to save library
ASOAP star will hand over a dossier of support for a closure-threatened library to the boss of Lancashire County Council at a ‘showcase’ open day this weekend.
Emmerdale actress Meg Johnson - Pearl Ladderbanks in the show - will be at Whitworth Library, on Lloyd Street, on Saturday to present petitions and testimonials to council leader Jennifer Mein.
The library is among dozens of public buildings earmarked for closure across Lancashire as part of the council’s cuts programme.
A public consultation on its future is currently underway, which runs until the middle of August.
Campaign group, the Friends of Whitworth Library, say they are desperate to keep the facility open and hope the open day will showcase just how important the library to the community.
The open day will begin with a video message from comedian Jimmy Cricket and there will also be presentations for artist Geoff Butterworth and poet Robert Chapman.
Other activities taking place include junior and senior scrabble, knit-andnatter, heritage displays raffles, a gentle exercise class and a quiz.
And the Mayor of Whitworth, Madeleine de Souza, will be reading stories to young children.
Campaigner Sue Nielsen said: “The library is a real community hub and we are desperate to save it. We’ve had a really good community response and we want it to be a happy event as we want Jennifer to see just how much it means to the people of Whitworth.
“I know Meg Johnson is thrilled to be a part of this, she has lived here for over 20 years and is behind us wholeheartedly, as is Jimmy Cricket. It’s the only library in Lancashire she is going to visit, so we’ve really tried to raise our head above the parapet.”
And Sue says the value of the library to the community shouldn’t be underestimated.
She added: “We’re trying, in a very fair and reasonable way, to prove that without this library our community really would not have a heart. I really believe it’s the beating heart of Whitworth.
“I don’t think people realise just how much social isolation is an issue in Whitworth and the library is like a glue that keeps the community together.”
The open day takes place at the library on Saturday, July 16, between 10am and 12.30pm.