Creating a garden …
As far as we know, Oundle Library is the only public library in Northamptonshire to have its own green space, but the council has always struggled to do anything more than basic maintenance, such as cutting the grass and (sometimes!) the hedge. For years, the Friends of Oundle Library longed to be allowed to make more of the garden, so when the chance came we grabbed it with both hands!
Unloved and uncared for
Do you remember how terrible the garden and the library entrances used to be? You can see from these photos how drab and uninteresting it looked … and how unloved.
Section 106 money
In 2021, the Library Service was at last able to think about the garden at Oundle Library when it was allocated some Section 106 money to build a covered patio on the side of the building. Having builders on site for several weeks meant the grounds had to be tidied up when they left, and the Friends were able to find volunteers with the vision and enthusiasm to restore the space into a garden. It was a big project!
Getting stuck in
Because the library garden had never really been looked after, the volunteers began by doing some serious weeding, and then they cleared builders’ rubble out of the new raised beds. It was back-breaking work but worth it, because then they could take steps to improve the soil so it would be ready to be planted.
The “lawn” also needed to be improved so, where possible, it was patch-seeded. As it turned out, repairing the “lawn” has been an ongoing project. More frequent mowing by the council has helped a lot, and each year the grass looks a bit better.
Generous comments and gifts
Soon, library customers began to notice the results of all this hard work and the library was getting appreciative comments about what had been achieved. The FOOL Committee approved a gardening budget to allow the volunteers to continue their work, and they also made several very successful appeals to Friends for unwanted items such as planters, pots and garden tools. It didn’t take long before people were donating bulbs, shrubs and bedding plants too!
Over the past few years, the Library Gardeners haven’t just created a lovely garden, they’ve made Oundle Library look loved and cared for. Now there is a green space which everyone can use and enjoy, and which the library use for events in the summer. No surprise that achieving this has taken time and many, many volunteer hours, but it’s been so worthwhile!
Our thanks to all the volunteers who have worked – and continue to work – so hard on the library garden. We can’t thank you by name, but you know who you are!
