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.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!
We are just a few months away from opening. The Station Master’s House is being completely renovated and (subject to Covid-19 restrictions) should be open to the public in late September 2020. We have raised enough money to get started and we’re raring to go!
When we open, the Hub will offer a comfortable place for internet access, book-borrowing, play for small children, meeting opportunities and much more. There will be full disabled access to the whole building.
But all these activities need people to run them and we need help. Initially we are looking for volunteers to get the place up and running (book management, computer set-up and some small jobs around the building). Then we need to develop teams who will manage the day-to day operations of the Hub, including room hire. We shall be providing training for the various activities.
Can you help?
If so, it would be great if you could email us at secretary@the stationmastershouse.co.uk to let us know what you are interested in helping us with. For starters, tell us which of the following categories appeals:
Getting Ready for Opening : book management, computer installation, providing training and odd jobs.
Running the Hub: managing volunteers, library services, room hire, community liaison, newsletters/media, promotion.
And perhaps you could add a few words on your previous experience and interests along with your contact phone number. We will get in touch with you to talk through how you can help and how much time you can spare
Thank you, and looking forward to hearing from you!
Latest news…
Photographs of Internal Renovations Progress
As you can see when compared to previous photographs slow but steady progress is being made to the internal renovations. It has been difficult during the lockdown but the builders have observed social distancing at all times with only one person often working in the...
Events…
Wrecks off Southport Coast – Postponed to 4th September
Please note that unfortunately this talk has been postponed due to concerns about the coronavirus infection. It has been rescheduled to 4th September when Martyn Griffiths will give one of his popular talks at 7.30pm. It is to be held at Southport and Birkdale...
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
%
Percentage of target £146,500
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!