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11
Jul 2023
Last Updated: 10/07/2023
Ripon Toy Library to celebrate 30 years of service
Ripon Community Toy Library is hosting a special anniversary celebration to mark its 30th birthday.
The party on Thursday August 3 is open to all users, past and present, along with volunteer helpers.
The library, based at Community House on Allhallowgate, is a volunteer-run charity and has a vast array of toys, play equipment, ride-ons, books, games, puzzles and other items available on loan to families at an affordable price.
Toy Library chair Sarah Sharp, told the Stray Ferret:
"We started out in 1993 at the YMCA on Water Skellgate and moved to Community House more than a decade ago, which was great, because it gave us increased safe and secure storage space.
"We offer items that are suitable for children aged from babies to eight years and in addition to the lending service that we provide, we also hold occasional story time sessions run by Ripon Library."
Ripon Community Toy Library chair Sarah Sharp (second from right) is pictured with volunteers: (from left) Gemma James, her daughter Abi and Ruth Rymer.
Each Thursday, parents, grandparents and other carers can bring children to try out the toys, which can be taken home at a cost of 50p per item for a two-week loan.
The subscription for using the library is £2 for six months and Sarah pointed out:
"Our aim is to keep the costs as low as possible so that the lending service is affordable to as many people as possible.
"We have been able to do this with support from volunteers, plus financial assistance from North Yorkshire Council, Ripon City Council, Morrisons, the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels and Ripon Recycling and help from Jennyruth Workshops, which has made toys for us."
Ahead of its August 3 party the library would like to hear from anybody who has been involved with it in any way over the past 30 years.
More information is available by clicking here or by calling 01677 470014.
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