Compassion, Winter 2021

Winter 2021 - Compassion | www.tcf.org.uk 5 Well the big news this quarter is that the library has returned to Kent, where it used to live, and is now residing in my spare bedroom. It was actually my daughter’s room when she was a child so it feels very appropriate to have it there. It was all quite a palaver because I had to sort out the room first and dispose of about 300 of my own books, a long overdue operation, and not an entirely painless one! I managed to find a charity which collects all sorts of books, novels, textbooks, cookbooks, children’s books, Shakespeare and just about anything else you can think of, and ships them out to Africa where they’re needed by schools, colleges and libraries. So I got those all boxed up and ready for the off, then went to Kilburn to box up as much of the library as I can fit into my spare room and booked a firm to shift them for me. It was all arranged for the same day, my books would be taken in the morning and the library books, and one of the bookcases, would arrive in the afternoon. But then the fuel crisis hit and I was on tenterhooks wondering if it would all have to be deferred. I needn’t have worried though because both drivers managed to get fuel and it all went like clockwork. The big advantage now is that I can respond to requests for books very quickly instead of having to wait until my next trip to Kilburn. It’s a lengthy journey and, what with my gammy knee and the pandemic, I’ve not been News from the Catharine Pointer Memorial Library Christmas-times. Do what you need to do: remember, you don’t have to justify yourself. For myself, I must remember to put a bottle of wine and a glass by the bath with some candles, so that I can retreat in there when I’ve had enough. With my love to you all, Gina Claye, Nikki and Robin’s mum