FAMILIES took full advantage of Saturday’s sunny weather by turning out in force to a summer fair and barbecue that aimed to raise money for the future of Covingham library.

The fun-filled day was organised by the Covingham Library Trust which formed after Swindon Borough Council announced cuts to the town's library provision last year.

Now with charitable status, the group was awarded £112,000 from the council back in June towards keeping the service running for the next three years and the fair was put together to make sure library users would see an improved provision.

From a raffle to a cake sale, as well as a whole host of activities for children, the fair had something for everyone and many residents from the Covingham community came along to show their support and appreciation.

Library Trust Chairman, Coun Dale Heenan made sure tasty treats from the barbecue were served throughout the day.

“The money that we received from the council goes towards a lot but the actual things that make a library a library we have to raise money for," Dale said. "We thought we would try things different and that is why we have arranged this summer fair which has gone really well.

“Covingham Library is the most popular small library in the town and it has the same equivalent usage as the Parks library.

“We are throwing ideas around and obviously with it coming to the end of summer time and everyrone going back to work and school, we thought why not hold an event where everyone can come along.

"We’ve worked with the local allotments to bring along fresh fruit and vegetables and we’ve had a lot of people come along and grab some food from the barbecue.

“For us, we are trying to make improvements incrementally rather and everything at once so that we can listen to what people want.”

Help was on hand from a number of volunteers who gave up their Saturday’s to man the dozen stalls while Leanne Hyde, community champion at Morrisons, popped by to lend a few hours of her time as well.

Sue Tucker, from the Friends of Covingham Library, said she was thrilled by the number of people who came out and had supported the fundraiser.

“This summer fair is the third thing we have done to fundraise and hopefully we have raised a bit of money. It was a bit of a trial and we thought with it being the time of year we would try something for everyone.”

The trust has big plans for the library which include longer opening hours, professional library staff working with volunteers, and many activities and outreach events to increase visitors of all ages and encourage more children to read for fun.

A few more fundraising events will be held later this year including a Halloween one on October 28 and a Christmas fair on December 2.