Maypole dancers boost Castleton Carnegie donations

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Maypole Dancers from Castleton School of Dancing

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Dancers took to the maypole in Castleton on Sunday to raise money for the Carnegie building.

Friends of Castleton Carnegie opened the doors of the building and spent the afternoon giving guided tours of the old reading rooms and payment counters, as volunteers served coffee, fresh punch and cakes.

Girls from Castleton School of Dancing danced at the maypole to help boost donations for the day.

The Carnegie Library has been described as the most prestigious building in Castleton, but has been derelict for over a decade. After businessman Nick Crewe bought the building, a restoration project began. It’s not yet known when the project will be finished.

True Serenity is one of the businesses that will occupy from the building. Co-owner Linzi Miller was giving guided tours. She said: “What a great turnout today. The maypole dance was fab and loads of people came through the doors to have a look round and reminisce. Lots of support for our renovations and excitement about the future.”

Councillor Billy Sheerin said: “It is wonderful to see so many people out in the village of Castleton today on this glorious sunny day. We have some very talented young ladies from Castleton School of Dancing on the maypole who are helping to raise money for the Carnegie building.

“This has been a fantastic day of fun in Castleton but it is also for a very good cause, as we work together to bring the village back to life.

"The Carnegie still needs a lot of work but it is all going to come together and be open once again.

"Thank you to everyone who has come along and generously donated.”

The once popular Manchester Road library was first opened back in 1905 after the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated £2,500 for it to be built. It became unoccupied in 2006 after the library was moved to Castleton Community Centre.