Birkdale Community Hub and Library is a registered charity, number 1153611
Welcome
We’re planning the new Birkdale Community Hub & Library in The Station Master’s House attached to Birkdale station.
UPDATE
We’ve been working hard to prepare the Hub for use. We’re currently cataloguing/preparing books, completing the IT hardware/software installations, redesigning this website, and equipping the Hub with furniture and fittings. We now have two volunteer managers, Tim and Ian, who are helping us to shape how the the Station Master’s House will be used in future.
We can’t open fully yet because of the Covid 19 pandemic, but please bear with us while we work out how best to deliver a safe service in the meanwhile. Thanks for all you support!
Latest news…
Renovation Update August 2020
As you can see from the recent photos below real progress is being made in the Station Masters House. All the hard work and planning is reaping results and the house is now taking shape. The carpet upstairs has been fitted and once all the bookshelves have been built,...
Events…
Check back for our next social event
We're sorry, our social events are currently curtailed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Please check back later for news of our next event.
What we're doing
Our aim is to turn a disused but central Birkdale property into a well used and valued community asset with clean modern facilities
Ground Floor
Adult book lending library
Children’s book lending library
Small kitchen area
Lift access between floors
Disabled Toilet
Outside garden/yard sitting area for the warmer months.
1st Floor
Meeting room for classes, clubs, societies and for hire at the front of the building
Computer/crafts room in the second room that stretches over the station ticket office
Back room which could be divided into a small meeting room/office and toilet
Cloud based library management system
how you can help
To turn the Station Master’s house into a great resource for Birkdale and its residents a lot of work and resources are required. We’re busy raising money as a registered charity to fund this development.
We hope that you will back our efforts by making a donation, joining the 200 Club, becoming a Friend of the Station Master’s House, or attending one of our regular Events
Donate
We now collect donations using the Virgin Money Giving site and anything you feel able to contribute is gratefully received and will be put to good use. The site also allows you to create regular recurring payments. If you previously used our BT donation facility please check out the new Virgin Money Giving site – Thanks!
Events
We hold regular events which to help raise funds. These have included dinner dances, local history talks, concerts and more. You can find details of upcoming events by clicking the button below
200 Club
For just £2/ month for one number you will be entered into the 200 Club draw. There is monthly draw of 2 x £20 prizes and one of £50, plus one annual prize draw of £500
Friends
Please join our Friends of the Station Master’s House for a £12 per annum subscription fee. You will receive a quarterly newsletter detailing our recent activities and plans.
Shopping
Sign up with Give As You Live so that we receive a donation when you shop online at many big name retailers including Amazon, M&S and John Lewis
We’re always pleased to hear from anyone who could bring relevant skills to the project particularly in terms of the fund raising, lease negotiations, building expertise and community library operations. See the contact section for our details.
How we’re using the funds
Here’s how we’ll be using those funds:
Leasing
The Station Master’s House is owned by Network Rail and leased to Merseyrail as part of the station complex. We’re negotiating a lease to allow us to host the Library and Hub.
Building
The house itself has not been occupied for many years and requires significant building work and decoration, inside and out. The intention is to build a lift in the building for disabled access.
Equipping
We want to equip The Station Master’s House with computers, books and meeting room facilities. We’ve been very fortunate to have a large number of books donated. To manage book loans and the other resources we will purchase library management software.
Operation
Once the Station Master’s House opens there will be bills to pay and maintenance work to make sure that the building is a safe, accessible, pleasant and stimulating place to be.
the team
Sylvia Thompson
Secretary & Trustee
Sylvia has been involved with the project from the beginning and is the key organiser for the committee.
Sally Moss
Treasurer & Trustee
Sally looks after our finances, having worked in various roles in accountancy for 25 years and was a member of the AAT.
Phil Margham
Project Manager & Trustee
Phil co-ordinates all aspect of the internal building work required to convert the building for its new use, having previously managed large projects at Liverpool John Moores University
John Pugh
Trustee
John is well known in Southport as our ex-MP and his been involved in many charity projects over the years
Terry Durrance
Chair
Terry is an active figure in local affairs and charity work while also acting as Chair for this the group
Andy Webb
Trustee
Andy has a background in IT and strategy in financial services, and co-ordinates the computing aspects of the project
Roger Fieldhouse
Committee Member
Roger is dealing with the process of obtaining a lease for the Station Master’s House amongst other activities for the project.
Say hello!Say Hello!
Currently the Station Master’s House at Birkdale Station is unoccupied and awaiting renovation by the team.
Please use the email form below to contact us, or phone 0756 183 8818.
Thanks, we look forward to hearing from you!