Cutting the turf ceremony report

Wednesday 4th March 3.30pm

Building work started at Bush Hill Park Library today. Eight-year- old Sara Kaminska from Bush Hill Park School cut the first turf before works start in earnest.

Sara who really enjoys the library explained why she wanted to take part in this ceremony. She said, “Because I’ve been doing homework here and I was coming here every day and enjoying the computer and reading books.”

She was joined by some of her friends, parents, library staff, school staff from Bush Hill Park School and builders managing the site.

Bush Hill Park Library is currently closed for upgrading and refurbishment and will reopen late Autumn 2009.

The updated library will be twice as large as the old one with a music studio, more PCs, a better space for children and young people and a community room.

A mobile library service is operating while the library is closed: Saturday 10.00am - 12noon Main Avenue (near the library)


If you wish to be involved with the new Bush Hill Park project our next Adult Board meeting (being run by Team Leader Rupert Colley rupert.colley@enfield.gov.uk or 0208 379 8340) is at the Lincoln Arms Tuesday 10th March, starting at 6.30pm. Hopefully see you there!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=lincoln+arms+enfield&fb=1&split=1&gl=uk&view=text&latlng=1846430932072177744&dtab=7

Local people can keep in touch with how work is progressing on the library or make any comments via the Bush Hill Park blog:http://bhpark.blogspot.com

Cutting the turf competition - be quick!

The library is running a competition offering anybody aged under-16 from the local area the chance to cut the first turf - in other words, the very first bit of work on the building extension; all they have to do is tell us in less than 25 words why they should be the ones to do the task!

Entry forms are available from the library - but you will have to be quick as the closing date is the 21st February, 2009.

One era ends... the next begins

Bush Hill Park Library will be closing at 5pm on Saturday 21st February 2009 for the work to start to refurbish and extend the 1880s building. The library will double in size with an enlarged IT / Study Area plus dedicated PCs in the Teen and Children’s Areas and there will also be a Community Room and a Music Room for use by the local community. The new facility will open in Autumn 2009. The project is part of the BIG Lotteryfund’s Community Libraries programme.

Hoardings will be erected around the building site and there will be viewing holes for local residents, and other interested people, to follow progress. We’ll also keep you posted via this Blog.

Three Advisory Boards have been established one for Adults; one for Teenagers (13-18) and Children (0-12) to advise Enfield Libraries what they would like to see taking place in the new library. All three would welcome new members so if you’re interested please don’t hesitate to contact Rupert Colley (Adult) 020 8379 8340, Matthew Imrie (Teen) 020 8379 2609 and Tim Johnstone (Children) 020 8379 2644.

If you do have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact Pam Tuttiett (Community Library Project Officer) 020 8379 4054 or Sheila Barford (Development & Operational Manager, Enfield North) 020 8379 8301.

Days of future past - the Bush Hill Park time capsule

While the library is being rebuilt and extended, we hope to bury a time capsule either under or within the walls of the building - to be opened by the denizens of a future Bush Hill Park in 30, 50, 100 years time...

The question is: what should we put in it? What would encapsulate everyday life in Bush Hill Park? We have some ideas, but we'd like to know what you think... Your comments are invited, below! (No persishables, please...)

What's happening - how, when & why

These are exciting times for Bush Hill Park Library, Agricola Place (just off Main Avenue)! The library will be redeveloped thanks to a grant from the BIG Lottery Fund.

The library will double in size with the extension fronting on to Main Avenue. The increased space will enable us to enlarge the Children’s Library; increase the number of PCs giving the ability to host Adult Education classes and somewhere for young people to do their homework; a community room for library and community activities and a music room. Work begins in early 2009 and it is expected that the new facility will open in the Autumn. The mobile library will be visiting the area on Thursdays (2.30pm – 4.30pm) and Saturdays (10.30am – 12.30pm) during the closure period.

An important part of the development is the involvement of the local community in planning and delivering the services and activities in the new library. We have established three Advisory Boards – one for Children, one for Teens and one for Adults – we are always looking for willing volunteers to join these groups and help shape a library service for the future in Bush Hill Park.

For more information please contact any members of the Project Team team (see right), visit the library or just enter / leave your comments here.

We are looking forward to hearing your comments.