Dear <<First Name>>
As we hurtle towards another year end, it seems a bit surreal to still be talking about "opening the library next year". But that's where we are.
Building on the library has started, paid for by money raised from the community and a number of grants. As the work started a few issues came to light that had to be sorted out, and this meant a delay, and work is now starting again. They were hard at it when I passed by today on my way to the park.
It’s hard to describe how complicated the building work is, in order to comply with all regulations and make sure that we get the library that we need. As you may know there have been many delays up to now, and it is hard for us all to go on waiting, but the priority is to get it right and get it open.
Since we started fundraising in 2017 costs have risen, so on top of the drawn out detailed process of arranging the build and getting everything right, we still need to fundraise to get to the point when we walk in through the library doors.
Whilst the builders are paid, the Friends of Cricklewood Library are not. FOCL is a voluntary organisation and the Trustees and Management Committee have been working, unpaid, since 2011.
We’ve gone from losing our library to getting a premises rent free for 999 years (we still have to pay bills etc). We have done what everyone said was impossible, got a space, raised funds, provided books and events. Why? Because it’s our library and we want it back.
£23,000 = what we need to raise to get the doors open. To help with this, please visit our fundraising page, and if you can, Gift Aid it!
|
|
|
The builders were hard at it when I passed by today on my way to the park. It may not look like much, but it will soon. We hope to have access to start painting and adding our own fixtures and fittings before the end of the year. Don't forget, you can sign up to join the painting team here: I can't wait to get painting!
|
|
The annual treat is back!
Where: outside (or maybe inside!) the library at 152 Olive Road
When: Sunday 15 December, 1730-1830
With luck, we'll be inside in the dry, and there may even be lights!
There will be refreshments, including the traditional glühwein and mince pies.
We'll bring songsheets, so all you have you bring is your voice and some Christmas spirit! Great fun family event to kick off your festive season.
|
|
Les Bougies Baroques Fundraiser
|
|
Those of you who came to the Young Mozart concert at St Gabriel's last year will be pleased to know there's another chance to hear this great ensemble and some fantastic singers.
Where: Clayton Crown Hotel
When: 28 November, 2019, 7.30pm
Tickets: buytickets.at/lesbougiesbaroques
|
|
|
We're still taking expressions of interest in hiring our spaces. There'll be more information along shortly, but to express an interest in principle, you can use this form.
|
|
SSE Community Business Trade Up Programme
|
|
Some of you may know that I took part in the School For Social Entrepreneurs' (SSE) Community Business Trade Up programme funded by Power to Change last year.
This fantastic programme is aimed at organisations or projects that exist to improve their local neighbourhood, village or town. You should be running it like a business, but re-investing profits to benefit your local community.
Benefits
- A free learning programme, to help you develop your income and impact
- Up to £10,000 in Match Trading grant
- An opportunity to meet regularly with other people running organisations like yours, so you can help each other out
If this sounds like you, there's just about time to apply - deadline is 1pm on Wednesday 28 November. You can find out more here.
I can thoroughly recommend it - the grant (which you're free to spend how you wish while increasing your traded income) is actually not the best bit. The best thing is meeting other social entrepreneurs and learning from them. Invaluable experience.
|
|
|
|
|
