LIBRARIES IN DANGER

Throughout my childhood and teenage years libraries provided me and  others who couldn’t afford to buy books with a place of refuge, peace, education and extraordinary pleasure.  Cinderford library in particular holds a really important place in my heart.   I was shocked to learn that  Gloucestershire County Council  is proposing to cut our library services by a huge 43% (the national average is 28%). This involves axing the moblile library service and closing eighteen libraries including Cinderford and Newnham-on-Severn. Library staff contractually cannot speak out, which makes libraries easy prey for misguided cost-cutters. This is happening nationally too, with at least 250 libraries under threat. Libraries are a vital resource with skilled staff that contribute much to the well-being of the communities they serve. If you care for the value of reading for present and future generations, please visit the Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries website for more information and to help SAVE OUR LIBRARIES at:  http://foclibrary.wordpress.com/

Act now. Once they've gone, they've gone.

Some Events for late November and December

·                         Grand Christmas Emporium at All Saints Church, Newland on Saturday November 27, 2010 from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Further details .

·                         Christmas Exhibition at Wobage Makers Gallery until Friday December 24, 2010.  Further details .

·                         The Mariana-Art Gallery in St. Briavels will be holding its Christmas Art Exhibition from Sunday 28 November to Sunday 19 December 2010 .  

·                         Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday November 27, 2010 - Sunday November 28, 2010 at Beechenhurst Visitor Centre .  Further details .

·                         Off the Wall – an Affordable Art Bazaar featuring 50 artists from the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley .  Upstairs at the George, Newnham , 3 December to 2010 to 22 January. Details on the attached flyer.

·                         Christmas Shopping Festival on Sunday December 5, 2010 in Ross-on-Wye Town Centre.  Further details .

·                         Abergavenny Christmas Food and Drinks Fair, Sunday 5 December.  Details on the attached flyer.

·                         Usk Christmas Fair takes place on 11th and 12th December.  Details on the attached flyer.

·                         Cooking with Confidence.  A cookery course at the Garden Café, Lydbrook on Saturday December 11 and Saturday December 18.  £80 including lunch and refreshments.  Further details .

·                         BattleSports Glos have announced their schedule of special Christmas Combat Missions.  Further details .

·                         Taurus Crafts Christmas lunches