TOTTINGTON councillors are still working on a way of keeping Tottington Library open beyond August of this year when the shocking proposals, if finally agreed by the Labour-controlled Bury Council, would take effect. More than 1,000 local people have signed the Tottington Councillors petition to save this historic building which was the old Tottington Council Town Hall.

More than 20 people have now offered to volunteer to work in the library having visited TottingtonCouncillors.Com, which is very heartening news.

However, the finances are the big problem we have to solve.

We have been quoted running costs of approximately 22,000 per annum with estimated repairs and maintenance of 100,000 over the next three years.

Funding bids are an option, but time is tight. Would local companies be interested in sponsorship?

Would a community cafe be viable staffed by volunteers to help make the library financially viable?

A Friends of The Library Membership? Would local residents be interested in setting up a charity which will need leadership with committee members?

At a time when the council is funding a sculpture centre in Bury Library, should it not be reconsidering what matters to the the majority of library and community group users — a library that thousands of people need and use in their locality?

Iain Gartside, Yvonne Wright and Greg Keeley

Councillors for Tottington Ward (Walshaw, Tottington and Affetside)