A LIBRARY has been given £25,000 by Omaze following its recent house draw. 

Colehill Community Library, an independent charity established in 2013, will use the funds for the maintenance of the building and to help encourage young people to read. 

The library building requires regular maintenance, as it is mostly made of wood, which is susceptible to rot. The last partial repair, refurbishment and exterior painting was in 2018. 

However, due to the rising costs of materials and labour, the costs for this latest round of works could be higher. 

Susan Cowsill, chair of the library trustees, said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to Omaze. Their generous donation will make such a difference to our library and community.  

(Image: MARK FIELD PHOTOGRAPHY)

“By helping to maintain such a vital hub, this money will have a significant impact on the local children and will help to instill a quest for knowledge for the next generation of impassioned readers for years to come.”  

Sherry Newton, of Omaze, added: “Everyone at Omaze is absolutely delighted we have been able to make a contribution to the Colehill Community Library to help ensure that the vital maintenance work is undertaken. 

“I was honoured to visit the library, meeting the incredible team who volunteer for free and some of the local children, who were all looking forward to having plenty to read this summer. 

"Omaze will continue to help more local causes in the areas where we host our house draws, wherever possible."  

The present Colehill Library building opened 50 years ago in February 1974 as a branch library of the Dorset County Council Library Service.