'It just makes me annoyed' Former leader hits out at plan to axe library

A FORMER council leader has joined the campaign to stop a “vital” library being closed down.

- John WIMPERIS

Pill Library and Children’s Centre is one of three libraries “highly likely” to be shut as North Somerset Council cuts its spending on libraries by a fifth.

Chair of the newly formed Friends of Pill Library group Alison Gittoes said: “Our library is so much more than just a place to borrow books: it runs children’s events most days that it’s open, it’s really popular with older people, and it acts as a safe, warm space too. Closing it would save relatively little money, but it would be a huge loss to our village and those living nearby.”

The group has adopted a small charity constitution, supported by five trustees, and secured up to £500 of funding to support library activities, events and promotion.

Involved in the group as its treasurer and media manager is Don Davies.

Mr Davies represented Pill as an independent councillor on North Somerset Council for 12 years, three of which he spent as leader of the council. Asked if it was good to get involved in local politics again, Mr Davies said: “It just makes me annoyed.”