A village library run by volunteers recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. 

Haddenham Library opened its doors in October 2003, weeks after the county council closed the original library.  

A small group of newly trained volunteers ensured the village still had access to a library service, starting out with about 1,000 books and computer facilities.  

Now the shelves hold over 7,000 books, regular literacy-themed events are organised for the community and a wider range of tech services are on offer.  

It also works closely with the pre-school and nursery, the Robert Arkenstall Primary School and groups such as squirrels, beavers and cubs. 

The library is located at the Arkenstall Centre, in Station Road, where villagers gathered for a party in the Main Hall on November 4 to celebrate the 20th anniversary milestone.  

Ely Standard: Library volunteers Rosemary Gorman and Moira Goddard.Library volunteers Rosemary Gorman and Moira Goddard. (Image: Haddenham Library / Jez Reeve)A Haddenham Library themed cake made by longstanding volunteer Rosemary Gorman was at the centre of the occasion.

It even featured photos of the library volunteers on edible paper and was cut by Moira Goddard, who ran the library for 15 years. 

Haddenham Parish Council showed its appreciation for this important community asset by presenting every current volunteer with a certificate, a book token from Toppings, in Ely, and a book plate.  

Cllr Stephen Thompson, chairman of the parish council, said: “The parish council agreed unanimously that we should give the volunteers a gift to say ‘thank you’. 

“Our village library is such an important feature of our community and the volunteers who run the service are fantastic.” 

Ely Standard: The Haddenham Library themed cake was at the centre of the celebrations.The Haddenham Library themed cake was at the centre of the celebrations. (Image: Haddenham Library / Jez Reeve)Haddenham’s Village Archive is also situated in the library and is maintained by the Haddenham Local History Group.  

Cambridgeshire Libraries still provide computers and IT backup. 

Borrowers, who much be members of Cambridgeshire Libraries, can have full access to books in the Cambridgeshire and Suffolk catalogues.   

Haddenham Library’s AGM is on November 16 in the library from 7:30pm. All are welcome.  

Ely Standard: Moira Goddard, who ran the library for 15 years, cut the cake.Moira Goddard, who ran the library for 15 years, cut the cake. (Image: Haddenham Library / Jez Reeve)