Fun day at Fallowfield Library

Money allocated to the innovative ‘Fallowfield: U decide’ event, where people who live, work or study in the area chose where council funding of £5,000 would be spent, is now being put to good use.

Local residents voted for those groups and services where they wanted to see public money spent, including a crime prevention initiative for older people, leisure trips for young people and notice boards in Platt Fields park.

Fallowfield Library's suggestion to host a Family Day, was the most popular idea, which secured £1,000. The Family Day was held last month to launch the wave of activity generated by the 'Fallowfield: U decide' money and proved to be a tremendous success.

The family-orientated event was attended by a staggering 905 visitors, and included face-painting, Socca Caribbean-style and Bollywood dance workshops, family portraits, Storytime with Bookstart Bear, arts and crafts, and a know-your-library quiz, with a Nintendo DS as first prize.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Assistant Executive Member for Arts & Leisure said: "The Family Day was fun and informative in equal measure. It introduced the library to a wider range of people than ever before and surprised many with the number of services we have on offer."

A Toy Library, Cyber Café with free internet use, story times and a homework club are just some of the services on offer and Fallowfield Library is always keen to welcome new members of all ages.

Young library members are increasingly catered for, with 71 eight to sixteen year olds attending a half term arts workshop last week, also funded by 'U decide' money.

Councillor Mike Amesbury added: "It's great to see so many young people beginning to utilise the libraries facilities and we are planning more events like these in the near future."

To contact Fallowfield Library please call 0161 224 4153, or to find out more about Fallowfield: U Decide call 234 4093.

Media contact:

Claire Keegan, tel: 0161 234 4014