West Wycombe’s library battlers told ‘follow our lead’ (From Bucks Free Press)

West Wycombe’s library battlers told ‘follow our lead’

4:30pm Friday 9th December 2005 in News By Paul Leat

CONCERNED library users in West Wycombe have been told to follow the example of Micklefield and look for funding to keep their library open.

At the village's library consultation meeting last week, Debbie Mansfield, from West Wycombe Road, said they should be looking for grants to sustain the library.

Mrs Mansfield, headteacher at Ash Hill School in Micklefield Road, went to the Micklefield consultation last month and was impressed by the campaigners' plans to seek help from the National Lottery.

She said: "Micklefield and West Wycombe are two very different areas but I don't see why we could not do something similar. I have a three-year-old child and I walk down to West Wycombe library because I find the Wycombe library overwhelming for a young child."

Cllr Jean Teesdale, Wycombe District councillor for the village, also suggested adding tourist information facilities to the library to increase its use with the parish, district and county councils working together.

She said: "What I want is a one-stop shop like they have in Risborough and Marlow.

"For nine months of the year we have a roaring tourist trade. Let's see what we can do, I can see that as a possibility."

More than 50 people packed into the village hall to hear library bosses explain the reasons behind the proposed closure.

Peter Mussett, libraries development manager with Bucks County Council, explained shutting the library would save £15,000 a year, plus the money the council could make from selling the building.

Wycombe MP Paul Goodman, who was at the meeting, refused to back the council's ideas.

He said: "I don't think I can support this as it stands."