The Valley Park Trail is here!

I’m happy to announce that copies of The Valley Park Trail will soon be available locally thanks to support from Valley Park Parish Council. An online version can also be found on their website: https://valleyparkparish.org/about/trail.aspx

My thanks to the councillors for championing the project and also to all the local people whose written contributions are included in the trail, really helping to bring the area of Valley Park to life. 

Valley Park Creative Trail - Update

 Thank you to everyone who contributed pieces of writing. I am in the process of putting together physical and digital versions of the leaflet and hope to have them ready to publish by the end of February. Check back for details of where these will be available.

Valley Park Creative Trail

 

Being Part of Something

I love where I live but when I tried to find out more about the area, I realised there was little information about the recent history of the place. In an attempt to put that right and to celebrate the distinct special area of Valley Park, Chandler's Ford, I would like those who live there to help in producing a ‘Creative Trail’. This would take the form of a leaflet with a map, numbered points, information and, most importantly, short, creative responses to locations within Valley Park. 

Although known for a large, fairly recent housing development, the homes of around 6000 residents have been established between areas of ancient woodland, with a river and railway line along one edge. There are plenty of natural and man-made features within the area to explore!

As well as a writer and local resident, I am a postgrad student of Creative Writing at the University of Winchester, and the project forms part of a community writing module. As a result, the timeframe is quite tight and anyone submitting work is required to sign a consent form.

I am inviting members of the Valley Park community to respond to a series of location-specific writing prompts. This will lead to the creation of a physical leaflet available locally, as well as a digital version hosted on a community website. The aim is to encourage people to become more engaged with the built and natural features of the area.

All the information needed to take part can be sent directly via email. Contact me at L.Cooke.93@unimail.winchester.ac.uk with questions or to request the prompts, project information and consent forms. 

Everything you need to know is also available on this blog (click on Valley Park Trail on menu bar above). I am happy to offer support with any aspect of writing for the project. Please just get in touch.

Love...For Libraries

I love the library, always have, always will, so I thought today was an appropriate one to show that love by busting a few of the commonly held myths about libraries that I've heard recently.

Myth 1: “Libraries are dull and stuffy places full of books and people telling you to ‘shush’.”

Modern day libraries are not the same now as the places you remember from your youth. As well as books for all tastes and ages, you can borrow magazines or ebooks, eaudiobooks and emagazines. For free. You can access websites for family history research, driving theory practice, and Which reports. For free. You can sit and read local and national papers, study, and find information about local events. For free. Libraries provide activities for children such as storytime, singing, crafts and Lego sessions. For free. Most also run activities for adults, such as knitting or crochet, computer help, health and wellbeing groups. For free. Libraries often host talks, quizzes, courses and other activities, some free or for a small charge. Whilst there is often a calm and peaceful atmosphere, that’s not always the case and no-one is going to tell you to ‘shush’ if you are having a chat or taking part in any of the activities that genuinely encourage vocal participation!

Myth 2: “I don’t need to borrow books, I buy them.”

Buying books is great and well done if you can afford to buy them. But not everyone can. Borrowing books doesn’t stop you buying as well. By borrowing, you can access even more books, you are still supporting authors who receive around 9p for every library loan, and if you do buy books but are running out of room to store them, you can donate books you have read to your local library who will be happy to receive recent books in good condition to boost their collections. Your pre-loved books can then be loved by others.

Myth 3: “No one uses libraries anymore, why don’t they just close them all?”

It’s true that only around 10% of the population is a member of their library, but the law says every local authority has to provide a library service for everyone who lives, works or studies in the area. Your council tax funds it. So if you are paying for this service, you may as well use it. After all, as I’ve already mentioned, the vast majority of what libraries offer is free. Whilst library membership figures appear low, the 10% who are regular library users, do so because they enjoy or need the services provided, the social interaction with staff and others, the provision of computers, printing, the free WiFi, etc. People who use their library, love their library. Wouldn’t it be great if we could share that love by telling everyone who doesn’t use the library, what it is they are missing out on?