Newton Abbot New Community Library
News Archive
News archive February 2012 The new Passmore Edwards Centre is really starting taking shape. However, structural issues discovered while knocking through some walls on the ground floor have caused more difficulties for the contractors. It has taken considerable engineering design to support the building internally. We have unfortunately just been informed that this has had an impact on the Centre’s planned opening date. We are working closely with the contractor and are confident that it will open to the public in the run-up to the school summer holidays, later this year. It is vital that we make the right decisions and the contractors have a responsibility to work carefully to protect this old, Grade II listed building, for the long term. We anticipate the cost of the additional works will be accommodated within the scheme’s overall budget, as a contingency had been built in at the start of the project. Whilst remodelling continues on the ground floor, the top two floors close to being finished. Second-fix mechanicals and electrics have been completed, new doors, glazed partition screens, toilets, kitchenettes and art sinks installed, final coats of paint applied and flooring laid. The lift has been installed and storage cupboards are being fitted. It is really exciting to see these spaces so changed – you can see for yourselves in the photo gallery. It looks fantastic and we are confident that, despite the delays, it will all be worth it when we open our doors to the public again in the summer. We apologise for the inconvenience that this later opening causes but thank you in anticipation of your continued patience and understanding. Many of you have contacted us saying you would like to be involved in the launch of the new Centre and we are very keen for this to happen. In the next month or so, we will be arranging a meeting to gather your ideas and discuss how you could get involved. If you would like to take part, please join our mailing list. January 2012 - now recruiting! We are now recruiting to the role of Centre Manager for the Passmore Edwards Centre. The closing date for applications is 15th February 2012. For full details, including ways to apply, visit the Choice website. 27th October 2011 Construction work at the building continues to move on and we have received a progress update from the site this week. The contractors, Morgan Sindall, are working hard on the new extension and the remodelling of all three floors of the existing building. They must work carefully and with respect for the historic significance of the building and the fact that it is over 100 years old. As works progressed, some unforeseeable structural anomalies have been uncovered, due to the age of the building, including the ground floor surface not being strong enough to support a brace to the upper floors whilst some openings are made in ground floor walls. Impossible to predict, these problems have unfortunately caused a considerable amount of extra work for Morgan Sindall. Although they are undertaking to make up as much lost time as possible, this means that the Passmore Edwards Centre will now look to open at Easter time, 2012. We apologise for the inconvenience that this later opening causes but thank you in anticipation of your patience and understanding. It is vital that we make the right decisions so that the building can continue to be enjoyed for many generations to come. 20th October 2011 Three young people were presented prizes this week as winners of our summer library design competitions. Alice, aged 10, scooped the prize in the ‘Railway Stop’ competition. Entrants were asked to suggest their favourite place from a story to feature on a special railway map on the wall of the new children’s library. Alice’s winning ideas were Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and the Enchanted Wood. She took home a sack of super M@x goodies. The second competition was open to those between 11 and 18 years old. With the theme ‘My Favourite Place in Newton Abbot,’ entrants were asked to photograph the place they love most in the town. Rachel (14) and Rhys (11) were joint winners with their beautiful nature-based photographs. They each won a £20 gift voucher, and their images will be used as part of the design in the teenage section of the new library. You can see Rhys and Rachel’s winning images and a photo of the trio receiving their prizes in the Photo gallery. 13th October 2011 We are delighted to announce that, following overwhelming support from the local community, the building is to be officially named ‘The Passmore Edwards Centre’, in honour of the Victorian philanthropist who gave it to the town at the turn of the 20th century. Historical records show that John Passmore Edwards was keen to build a useful institution in Newton Abbot because his mother, Susan Passmore, lived in the town in 1843. His first idea was a hospital, but finding there was one already, he settled on a ‘Library and Technical School’ instead. We received hundreds of responses to the open invitation to suggest names and vote on a favourite. We recognise that the building already has a strong identity in Newton Abbot and it was clear that many of you felt passionate about remembering Passmore Edwards by using his full name in the building’s name, a great idea. You can find out more about John Passmore Edwards in the ‘About the project’ section of this website. More in the News archive 1st September 2011 The deadline for young people to take part in our library design competitions has been extended to Friday 16th September. Tell us your favourite storyland or take a photo of the best Newton Abbot landmark. These competitions are now closed - we'll be announcing the winners soon. August 2011 Lots of you have sent in suggested names for the Newton Abbot Devon Centre. Five have been shortlisted and we now nee you to vote for your favourite. Vote online or complete a form at the Newton Abbot Library & Adult Learning Centre at Teign House. Closing date is Friday 2nd September. July 2011 We’re launching two competitions for children and young people to get involved in the interior design of their new library during the summer holidays. We want to know about your favourite places, real or imaginary… click the link to get involved! Over on the building site, construction is progressing well. You can see photos in the gallery and on our Flickr page. This week you may notice a large crane lifting the new lift shaft into place at the rear of the building. June 2011 Lots of people came to see us in Courtenay Street on 8th June to find out the latest on the project. We answered many questions and were able to reassure people that everything is progressing to plan. 3D visuals of the new extension, photographs of the construction work to date and details of the interior design were on display. If you missed it, you can see the information panels in the Photo gallery, or pop into the temporary library at Teign House, Kingsteignton Road. It was also an opportunity to get involved in the project by suggesting a name for the building. It's not too late to send us your suggests: visit the Get involved page to find out more.
Come and see the latest progress on your NEW Library and Learning Centre - at our stand on Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot - Wednesday 8th June, 9:00 - 16:30.
April 2011 We are pleased to announce that planning and listed building consents for the development of the Newton Abbot library and learning centre have been now been received. The decision to add a Learning Disabilities service into the project meant that revised plans had to be drawn up before we could submit planning applications. However, once submitted, contractors were able to undertake preliminary work on site including essential surveying, stripping out loose materials and clearing the rear courtyard of its miscellaneous outbuildings. At the same time, detailed planning has been progressing apace 'behind the scenes', for construction, ICT, interior designs, governance structures and so on. Now that planning permission has been granted, construction work will soon be in full swing. The project will take some time because we are working sympathetically with a listed building, but completion is due in January 2012. In due course, there will be an opportunity for the local community to view and comment on the plans for the building including designs for the interiors. November 2010 Plans for the refurbishment of the library and adult learning centre in Newton Abbot have been expanded to include services that are supporting people with learning disabilities. Redeveloping the Grade II listed building has given us the chance to relocate the Kingsteignton learning disability service and maximise use of the refurbished building, getting the most out of every pound spent. The central location, in addition to the public services within the building itself, will present more opportunities and make it easier for people with learning disabilities to enjoy what the town has to offer. The multi-million pound centre will also contain a modern, 21st century library and adult learning centre, an IT suite, Wi-Fi technology and meeting rooms available for local groups to use. There will also be better display and storage areas for the Railway Studies collection, which is the largest collection of railway studies material outside the National Railway Museum in York. Contractors Morgan Sindall have been appointed to carry out the work alongside experienced library design company The Design Concept. Devon County Council are working in close partnership with NPS South West Ltd to develop the scheme. 14 September 2010 The library and education centre has now moved out of the Market Street building to its temporary home during the refurbishment. You can find the full range of services just down the road at Teign House, Kingsteignton Road, TQ12 2QG. More details, including opening hours and phone numbers, are on the Newton Abbot Library page. If you wish to view items of the Railway Studies Collection, you are advised to phone ahead. August 2010 Turn out was excellent at the drop-in sessions at the end of July, where the latest architect’s drawings were on display along with some early interior design ideas. The display boards can now be viewed online in the photo gallery or on our Flickr page. Lots of good suggestions were put forward on the day – but if you couldn’t make it, it’s not too late to tell us your ideas. There are lots of ways that you can get involved. July 2010 There will be an opportunity to talk to staff about the plans and meet the interior design team on Friday 30th July (drop in anytime between 2:00pm - 7:00pm) and Saturday 31st July (drop in anytime between 10:00am - 4:00pm). Free refreshments and childrens activities - all welcome. December 2009 In December 2009, Devon County Council approved ground breaking plans for a major £2.3 million extension and facelift for Newton Abbot library and Education Centre. It will be one of the first of Devon’s new generation of libraries, offering a wide range of 21st century services and designed to be a hub for the community that will offer so much more that just books and CDs. The current outdated facilities will be extended and redeveloped so that it stands out as a landmark building in the town centre. The building will be extended into the existing courtyard to provide additional library space for children, young people and families. The Grade II listed building will be considerably modernised internally to give a fresh, vibrant feel aimed at attracting people of all ages and backgrounds. The building is already one of the busiest adult and community learning centres in the county. The county council wants to improve on the this and provide improved facilities in the studios, teaching space and computer suites in order to deliver high quality courses. There will also be better display and storage areas for the Railway Studies collection, which is the largest collection of railway studies material outside the National Railway Museum in York. The plans could also include a customer access point to provide information on services provided by County, District and Town Councils. Government funding has been allocated to the scheme in recognition of the need to increase the library space for Newton Abbot’s growing community. An additional 8,000 homes are proposed for Newton Abbot by 2026, which will substantially increase demand for library and learning facilities. It is estimated that demand for adult learning could rise to 5,000 places per year. The library currently receives over 180,000 visits annually, issuing around 160,000 items. It is predicted the new improved library will increase its use and membership by 50% in the first year following re-opening. It is anticipated that the redevelopment will be complete by late summer 2011. |
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May 2011