Welcome….
As we all continue to respond to life under Covid 19 conditions one might be asking do we need a recharge? Whether you’re looking for family inspiration, outdoor adventure or simply a place to pause, Brixham Library has the answer this summer. Whether at home, in the library or just out and about take a book with you, you can always read about how to paddle a canoe, what you can feed the ducks with or just read a book about somewhere beautiful. In times of stress, our libraries have even more to offer. So, why not reconnect with your family, with friends, or with your own inner-calm as you enjoy a good read.
A close friend brought the following to my attention. She writes, ‘I first saw this saying on one of the benches around the harbour when the Pom Pom angels were decorating them to cheer us up. I thought it was a lovely approach to managing the current situation. I don’t know who wrote it but it’s lovely!
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain!’
Couldn’t have put it better myself and I hope you all feel the same way!!
© – Photo by Kate Graeme-Cook from Elberry Common
September has in past years been the start of the autumn programme of events and activities. However, in these unsettled and unpredictable times all our activities are on hold and many of the planned events are being held until next year of which more later. Thanks, must go to all those who have been so understanding about this but then we are no different from others in the same boat. However, I am pleased to say that our Monday ‘Walking for Health’ walk is up and running, all be it by a modified route and we have been pleased at the numbers turning up. For some, it is still a mite early to join in such an activity but be assured we have social distancing in mind and a walk is always a good walk.
In our last newsletter we were able to share some of the experiences of lockdown from Emma and Sarah. Thus, I was pleased to receive the following in my mail which I am delighted to share with you. Julie writes:
‘Really enjoyed reading about the experiences of the librarians especially the Sarah Millican faux pas which cracked me up! I’d have laughed just as heartily if I’d read that in the original message. It might even become my new mantra hahahaha. The article will certainly help me view the young ladies in a more personal way’.
Future Events
With the onset of the pandemic our events and activities programme instantly went on hold and as time has gone on our restart date continues to be put back. However, Helen has been busy behind the scenes and has provided the following update for you as follows:
Hello Friends of Brixham Library
Well, much was organised for the Friends this year but unfortunately, due to circumstances completely out of our control, could not take place.
So, moving positively forward to 2021 hopefully the following events can go ahead:
- Talk and tour of Paignton Zoo
- Evening meal and entertainment at Guardhouse Cafe Berry Head
- Boules and Buffet at Berry Head Hotel
- Visits to The Met Office in Exeter.
- Visit/Tour to Exeter Cathedral
- Wine Tasting with nibbles at the Wine Loft in Brixham
- Fish and Chip evening with entertainment
- Evening boat trips.
And anything else that comes along………
Happy to look into any suggestions from Friends regarding trips / talks etc. They can be left with the staff at Brixham Library for me.
Here’s to 2021.
Helen
Walking for Health – Monday Walk as from Monday 10 August 2020
Brixham Bay Walks – Restarting the Monday Walk
After this long pause Walking for Health have now given the green light to restart group walks.
All walks have to be managed in line with all Government guidance like social distancing and limitation on numbers to keep us all safe.
We would ask that we all wear face coverings at least for the start of the walk while we all congregated together. The route will be along the footpath next to Berry Head Road as this will avoid the stiles and narrow sections of the coast path. Depending on the number of walkers we may need to split into two groups to keep within the guidelines.
We have to keep contact details of all walkers to give to Track and Trace teams if they are required, this is the sole purpose of this data that has to be kept for 21 days minimum. Once the Covid emergency is over and the contact data is no longer required it will be destroyed.
Coastal Path Walk to Berry Head
All are welcome on this walk, which is once again designed for a wide range of abilities. We meet at the rear of Douglas House in Gillard Road, Brixham at 10.00am every Monday morning whatever the weather.
For more information about these walks please contact:
Mike O’Donnell tel: 01803 844013 Alasdair Anderson tel: 01803 850255
www.walkingforhealth.org.uk www.friendsofbrixhamlibrary.org/walks
Outgoings – Jottings from the Treasurer
Since lockdown, whilst we have all missed all the events and activities of more normal times, we have still been active in supporting library needs. So far this year we have spent:
To LU for the Summer Reading Game £30.00
Prizes for Summer Reading Game £50.00
Recourses for activity packs £60.00
Web Site £95.40
Replacement paddles and spares for the Defibrillator £206.40
So, if you have any doubts about paying your subs this year and just haven’t been able to pay them yet, your help through the annual subscriptions is a real help to us in continuing to support our library. I am also reminded that under current data protection legislation we are required to delete all personal information from our data base if subscriptions haven’t been renewed. This of course was put in place without a pandemic in mind and hopefully our annual fee of £5.00 is something you will feel happy to support or even consider as a donation for this year. Any queries please contact either Angie Robson, our Membership Secretary or myself, Jo Gale.
Photo from the Archives
This photo shows the previous library building that many will remember with great fondness. Originally opened as a drill hall it later became the Public Library in Brixham and was run by the County Council up until 1968 when the newly created County Borough of Torbay was formed. In 1974, library services transferred back into the county and the present library building was one of the few new builds by the then Devon Library & Information Services. The ornamental stonework above the entrance can be seen in Brixham Museum from time to time.
If you have any photos of past times, we would love to see them, along with any of your library anecdotes and recollections.
And finally……
Pronunciation Poem
I take it you already know
Of tough and bough and cough and dough?
Others may stumble, but not you,
On hiccough, thorough, laugh and through.
Well done! And now you wish, perhaps
To learn of less familiar traps?
Beware of heard, a dreadful word,
That looks like beard and sounds like bird.
And dead – it’s said like bed not bead –
And for goodness’ sake don’t call it deed!
Watch out for meat and great and threat
(They rhyme with suite and straight and debt)
A moth is not the moth in mother,
Nor both in bother, broth in brother.
And here is not a match in there,
Nor dear and fear for bear and pear.
And then there’s dose and rose and lose –
Just look them up – and goose and choose,
And cork and work and card and ward,
And font and front and word and sword,
And do and go and thwart and cart –
Come, come I’ve hardly made a start.
A dreadful language? Man alive.
I’d mastered it when I was five.
Jennifer Wagner / Lynn Westmore
Stop Press
As from Monday 24 August the hours of opening for Brixham Library have been further extended as follows:
Mon, Tues & Thurs 10.00 – 12.30 13.30 – 16.00
Wed, Fri & Sat 10.00 – 12.30