Whilst a small number of volunteers have expressed interest in joining the sterling volunteers at Ross Library, more will likely be needed to ensure the organisation’s healthy future.

As the town learns to live with Covid, the library now resumes its normal opening hours. Additionally, newspapers are available once more in Ross Library. As well as getting back to “normal” with decent opening hours and newspapers to read, the library team are busy supporting valuable community work.

Over the next few months they will be hosting lessons in English for speakers of other languages in the Dennis Potter room.

They are also going to be supporting another three Dementia Awareness Sessions. The dates for these are Wednesday’s January 18; February 22, and March 29 and the session times on all dates will be session 1 at 9.30 am, session 2 at 11am, and session 3 at 1pm.

Most important in these difficult times, the library is a designated “Warm Space” during opening hours. Which means that after the disruption of Covid, the library is once more what it always used to be—a space open and welcoming to all, whether you want to read, to browse, to study, to rest or to chat.

The Ross Library Development Group supports the professionals by raising funds, setting up events, and when necessary, campaigning to keep the service alive.

Like many community groups they are struggling to find volunteers—so if you are interested in helping, please do contact them. There are plenty of ways to find out more or to get in touch—they’re on Facebook (Ross Library Development Group), on their website (rldg.org.uk) or those interested can contact Jan Falkiner on 07899 728346 or Clare West at [email protected].

Last November the Gazette reported that Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed was presented with a donation to thank them for setting up the new tables in the library.

Clare Llewellyn West, chair of the Ross Library Development Group met with the members of the Men’s Shed to present them with a £50 cheque as a thank you to them. Men’s Shed members kindly assembled tables for the library’s Dennis Potter room, which has been undergoing renovations.

Clare went down to the shed on Wednesday, November 16 to hand over the cheque, as well as personally thanking the members for their help.

In the same month, another of their monthly events was held with not just one but eight speakers.

The talented and lively group of “Marcher Authors on Tour” featured eight published authors who between them cover a range of genres. These included: historic romance, sci-fi, biography, and crime.

Each gave a short tantalising reading from one of their books then there was a chance for the audience to ask questions, followed by a market-place which provided a chance for people to chat with the individual authors.

Ross Library has consistently proven itself to be an essential cornerstone to the community, supporting other groups as well as hosting countless speakers and events. This can only be achieved with the help of volunteers who selflessly use their time to make Ross a better place.