Norden Library step closer to community base

Christian Wewer, the High Sheriff, with members of the Norden Trust as well as PC Sarah Firth, PCSO Nicholas Haile and crime reduction advisor, Jackie Bell.

Norden’s former community library is one step closer to being a base for the community thanks to £5,000 of funding secured by members of Rochdale North Neighbourhood Policing Team.

PC Sarah Firth and PCSO Nicholas Haile placed the bid for cash from the Greater Manchester High Sheriff’s Police Trust in May. The money will now be going to help transform the former library at Edenfield Road, Rochdale into an internet café and community hub for everyone.

PC Firth said: “This library was once the heart of the village until everything was moved out to the school. We are now hoping that this can return as a community facility for everyone to enjoy with a café and a base for community groups and meetings.”

Stephen Haslam, chairman of the Norden Community Trust said: “We are very grateful to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the High Sheriff’s Police Trust for providing this very important funding for a key part of the old library project.

“This donation will make a very significant contribution to youth facilities and means that we are now in a position to purchase soft furnishings and electrical equipment so that the young people in the village can have a new meeting place.

"This project has been an excellent example of what the local community and GMP can do when they get together to address local issues.

“We are very grateful to PC Firth and PCSO Haile for their hard work and persistence in helping us obtain this significant funding.”

Christian Wewer, the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester said: “The Trust is delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile project that will not only provide a much needed youth facility, but will also benefit the entire Norden community.”

The library was first opened in the 1920’s and was originally used as the district council offices before becoming a branch library. However in 2005, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council made the decision to relocate the library facilities to the nearby Norden Community School and dispose of the existing building.

The Trust was formed in 2007 by a group of local residents who wanted to save the building and ensure it remained at the heart of the community.