Home   Spalding   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Crowland Community Hub waiting to welcome visitors back with bright new look




A stunning new look is waiting for playgroups and other users of Crowland Community Hub where a makeover has taken place during lockdown.

Improvements to the kitchen, a new gas boiler, disabled toilet and baby changing unit have all been added to the building in Hall Street while closed to the public.

But the highlight of the refurbishments is the revamped children's section of the hub's library, which has been decorated with circus-themed characters to make it "bright, colourful and inviting", according to trustee Julie Smith.

Heather Beeken, trustee Julie Smith and building manager Peter Stowe in the new-look children's library at Crowland Community Hub. Photo by Philip Green.
Heather Beeken, trustee Julie Smith and building manager Peter Stowe in the new-look children's library at Crowland Community Hub. Photo by Philip Green.

She said: "Over the lockdown periods, we decided to refurbish the hub/library by replacing the oil boiler with a brand new gas one.

"We also created a lovely new disabled toilet to make the building a fully functioning one for disabled visitors.

"There is also a baby changing unit for parents who no longer have to lie their children on the office floor when changing them.

"In addition, the kitchen has been made over so that we can make much better use of the space and the office has been refreshed as well.

"But it's the children's section of the library that we're most excited about as it's had a complete overhaul.

"We redesigned it with a circus theme, based on some ideas from one of volunteers, Heather Beeken, who did the sewing and ordering of furniture, while I did all the artwork.

"It's bright, colourful and inviting, but obviously we've not been able to have children in the library since the first lockdown in March and so we've not been able to show it off to them.

"But we believe that we have the most inviting and warming place in the town because of the atmosphere and look of it."

Most of the refurbishment was funded by Lincolnshire County Council as part of its commitment to support libraries that it once ran up until 2015 when up to 30 of them became volunteer-run community buildings.

Julie said: "We took on the library in October 2015 after a number of people came forward and said that we couldn't let it close.

"Then we had a public meeting in October 2013 and over 100 people came, so we had our mandate to go forward.

"From that point on, we registered as a charity and set up a Togs and Cloggs shop in Crowland because we could see the need for revenue.

"We have to thank all the people who have helped our organisation in any way as volunteers and it's been a positive response all round."



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More