FRIENDS OF BENSON LIBRARY
CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (CIO)
Registered Number 1176595 Address: Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, OX10 6LZ
TRUSTEES
Officers:
Anna Malkin Chair Mary Phillipson Secretary Judith Pignon Treasurer
Trustees:
John Murphy Patrick (‘Barry’) O’Connor Vivien Gardner Fiona Thomson-Tur Christopher Swann Frances Swann Lucy Browne
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The purpose of the Charity continues to be to advance the education of the public by the promotion of a public library service for the residents of Benson and surrounding villages.
We meet these objects by raising funds to provide Oxford County Library Service with a subvention to maintain a library service in Benson, which also benefits residents in surrounding villages. There is considerable residential housebuilding in the area which has led to a significant population increase and increased demand for library services. We also recruit, assist in training of and organise a rota of volunteers to serve as assistants in the library.
The Charity communicates with stakeholders and the general community by means of a website, an online newsletter and a monthly column in the ‘Benson Bulletin’, the latter being a rich source of local news which is widely distributed in the village and surroundings.
In 2022 Lucy Browne joined as a Trustee and Anna Malkin succeeded John Murphy as Chair.
Oxfordshire County Council have completed works to Benson Library over lockdown including repairs to the roof and installation of solar
panels and a new air cooling, heating and ventilation system, making it the first carbon neutral building in the Oxfordshire County Library Service property portfolio.
Since reopening in March 2021 the library has been well supported by its readers and the Library Manager has hosted a number of events such as the Summer Reading Challenge with a record number of 160 signed up, culminating in the Medal Award Ceremony, a Carers Coffee Morning with local Carers Group, Rhymetime for mothers and toddlers, Incredible Edibles bug activity sessions, Menopause Group, Volunteers Get Together.
We have continued to recruit volunteers to assist with the library service provision. We have directly provided funds for book purchases that was withdrawn by the Oxfordshire Library Service. In this way, the reading interests of the local users are directly reflected in book stock that doesn’t join our regular stock rotation with other libraries.
The CIO also funds outreach to local schools, including offering book token prizes to encourage reading.
The CIO also sees its role in the wider context of improving Benson Library’s environment. We work with local groups planting fruit and vegetables in the library garden, encouraging local families to enjoy resulting produce free. There is also a plan to involve the local primary school in the development of another part of the garden area.
The CIO developed a plan to boldly improve the library grounds by providing seating areas, proper buggy and bicycle shelters, create an area for woodland wildflowers and better car parking facilities. Oxfordshire County Council sought and gained planning permission to create at least 7 new and much needed parking spaces on the grassed area that is unusable in the winter months. It is anticipated that the works for this should commence soon with the costs being borne by the County Council. The CIO will meet the costs of installing a new bike shed in a more appropriate position within the new parking area.
The CIO is also beginning to work with interested groups on a project to provide a secure place for local archive materials.
We have two large fundraising events planned for the autumn, a cake stall and a Quiz with a Prize Draw which in the past have proven to be a good source of fundraising income.
We have recently ordered branded cotton tote bags, which can be sold or given away to help promote the use of the library. We are also ordering two pop up banners to promote the charity at events and stalls.
FINANCIAL POSITION
The opening balance on the account was £37,550.61 + £26.25 cash and the closing balance was £38,957.74 + £26.25 cash.
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
Anna Malkin Chair
Mary Phillipson Secretary
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