Minister officially opens re-located Knighton Library

The Culture, Tourism and Sports Minister Lord Elis-Thomas AM, officially opened the public library within Knighton and District community centre on Thursday 15 February 2018. Since December last year, the centre has become home to the library and operates as a successful partnership between the management committee and the library service. The refurbishment of the centre came from various sources including the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Grant and its Museums, Archives and Libraries Transformation Fund capital grant, and a range of other grants and contributions from Powys County Council, Knighton Town Council, Reserve Forces & Cadets Association and Radnor Hills.     

The Minister was welcomed to the library by Karen Plant, the Chair of the Knighton and District Community Centre Management Committee and Rosemarie Harris, Leader of Powys County Council . 

In declaring the site officially open Lord Elis-Thomas said: “I’m pleased to officially open Knighton library in an enhanced community hub. Libraries are important for local communities, and innovative partnership working, and shared facilities such as this hub, are one way to ensure that services are still available for local people, particularly in rural areas.”  

He added:  “Co-location can bring benefits for all the services on one site and I hope this new facility will attract more people from the area to come and explore the library and benefit from all that it offers.  I’m delighted that the Welsh Government is able to support libraries and that the Transformation Fund has helped Knighton library to create a vibrant and modern community literary hub.”

Back L-R: Cllr. Rachel Powell, portfolio holder for libraries; Cllr Rosemarie Harris, Council leader; Front L-R: Kirsty Williams AM Brecon and Radnor; Lord Elis-Thomas AM, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport

After his address Lord Elis-Thomas enjoyed listening to the Llanfair Singers and had a tour of the building with the council leader, committee members and Kirsty Williams, Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire. 

Source: Powys County Council