MP joined the Friends of Culcheth Library to admire the new bookworm statue carved for the library in Culcheth. It’s the sort of wholesome scene that warms the heart - volunteers, a tidy bit of public art, and a local MP standing under a large pair of reading glasses, figuratively speaking.
On the plus side, the carving is charming, the craftsmanship obvious, and the Friends of Culcheth Library deserve credit for keeping our little cultural hub alive. These are the people who actually do the heavy lifting - organising events, minding shelves, and making sure toddlers meet picture books rather than phones.
That said, let’s not pretend a single visit wipes the slate clean. It’s great the MP showed up, but there’s a whiff of the classic photo-op - ministers love a good ribbon and a grin. Libraries across Warrington and the country still face funding squeezes and service cuts, and volunteers can only plug so many gaps. We need more than goodwill and a well-carved mascot.
Still, for now the statue is a win for Culcheth. It gives the library a talking point, brightens the frontage, and might even tempt a few more people through the door. If the carving inspires a child to love reading, that’s worth every chipped paint job and bargain book sale the Friends stage.
So applause where it’s due - to the carvers, to the Friends of Culcheth Library, and yes, to the MP for turning up. But don’t let that applause be the end of the conversation. Public buildings need steady investment, not just compliments and cutlery photos.
One final, unscientific observation: the bookworm looks less like a mascot and more like a stern librarian who’s seen one too many overdue returns - and frankly, we back that energy.