Musical launch for library appeal

A 500,000 appeal for a new book-and-music library is being launched on a high note tomorrow (Saturday) in the precinct in Lewes with the support of the mayor, the MP Norman Baker, local political parties, county councillors, and open-air entertainment by three musical groups.

Last July the county council cancelled the project to replace the present outgrown and worn out library. On Tuesday the council agreed to revive the scheme and pay 1.9 million towards the total cost of 2.994 million, which includes a literature centre. The decision followed a robust six-month campaign by supporters under the slogan 'Let's build it!'. A further 550,000 has been promised by the Arts Council.

Three well-known Sussex groups, the Jazz Caverners, The Hofners and Naked Voices, will give separate performances beginning shortly after 10am to draw attention to the appeal for the last 500,000.

Local people, businesses and organisations over a wide area will be canvassed by the Friends of Lewes, the Lewes Library Friends and the Friends of Lewes Music Library to help the appeal. Recent research by these organisations show that the existing music library is used by groups and individuals from 78 Sussex towns and villages, and the book library is used by residents from 40 separate places.

The three Friends organisations hope that significant help can be obtained from national grant making foundations which they are approaching.

Joy Preston, the first chairman of the Lewes Library Appeal set up by the three Friends organisations, said raising half a million pounds, half of it by October, would not be easy.

She said: 'We are having a fanfare to show we are really dedicated to helping to finance this new combined library which has been in the pipeline for 20 years. We are not going to let it slip away now.

'It will need all the help it can get. We hope local people will put on their own events to raise money and that more will come forward to join the Friends' organisations to swell into an army of willing helpers.'

Lewes Library Friends will be recruiting new members at the musical launch.