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TV's Bremner, Bird and Fortune join the library lobby
10:00am Saturday 10th February 2007
By Will Carson »
THEY are best known for taking swings at high-ranking British politicians on their prime time satirical television programme.
Now political animals Bremner, Bird and Fortune have set their sights on a target a little closer to home - Southampton's own administration.
To request a copy of a report on the proposal, contact the library office, Central Library, Civic Centre, SO14 7LW or e-mail david.baldwin@southampton.gov.uk.
The Daily Echo can reveal that the three political heavyweights are the latest voices to join the campaign to save Cobbett Road Library in Bitterne Park, earmarked for closure in the council's draft budget report.
The council says that closing the library could save £50,000 a year.
Now in a letter to Steve Sollitt, the city council's culture chief, Mr Bird, on behalf of Rory Bremner and John Fortune, said that libraries "should be the last things to be cut, not the first."
He explained that his two-year-old grandson lives in Bitterne Park and is a regular user of the 1930s art deco-style library. He said: "Although none of us are resident in Southampton, all three of us feel strongly about the value of the public library system.
Easily accessible "Provision of good, easily accessible libraries is one of the most valuable things a local authority does and when times are tight they should be the last thing to be cut not the first."
In a final swing at Southampton's civic leaders, Bremner, Bird and Fortune also took a pop at the proposed Southampton Laser Gateway, saying that keeping the library "would do more for the image of Southampton than any number of laser displays."
Bitterne Park ward councillor Phil Williams added: "John's family is one of thousands which benefits from the library. I hope the council will take this opportunity to reconsider their position rather than proceeding with the closure process."
A Southampton City Council spokesman said: "The library has been identified as it would still enable the council to meet government standards that require local authorities to provide a library within one mile of a significant proportion of residents."
Councillors are due to meet on Wednesday to set the budget. A final decision will be made on March 19, following public consultation.
Your Say YourEcho
George Melrose, Southampton says...
4:56am Sun 11 Feb 07
I think people should realise that it was the former Labour administration that first proposed to close this library and St Mary's sports hall. It was only public pressure supported by the LibDems (then in opposition)that caused Labour to change their mind.
Way, says...
9:54am Sun 11 Feb 07
Just buy a computer and get the internet. One main library in the city centre is sufficient
oh right....because pr0n and Wikipedia are an excellent replacement for books and community facilities. Lets raise a generation of drones who turn to search engines rather than use their brains, who have the attention span of a . Sorry, what was I talking about again, I just saw this gr8 video on utube rofl!!11!11!1eleventy!
Paul Clark, Shirley says...
2:40pm Sun 11 Feb 07
Just buy a computer and get the internet. One main library in the city centre is sufficient
Presumably Will's comment is based on use of the internet as a tool for research and at that it does excel. But books still definitely have a place in our lives for entertainment and for education.
I find the arrogance of the Southampton City administration inexcusable. They are placing self-aggrandisement above the educational needs of its citizens. We don't need light-polluting lasers, we do need books.
Paul Clark, Shirley says...
2:45pm Sun 11 Feb 07
Just buy a computer and get the internet. One main library in the city centre is sufficient
Presumably Will's comment is based on use of the internet as a tool for research and at that it does excel. However, there is still most definitely a place for books for entertainment and for education.
I find the Southampton City administration's arrogance inexcusble. They are placing their own self-aggrandisement above the needs of its citizens. We don't need light-polluting lasers, we do need books for education.
Walthamster, says...
6:42pm Thu 25 Oct 07
A generation that deprives children of libraries, in reducing their chances of doing well at school and in life, will pay the price when they turn to drugs and crime instead.
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Will, Southampton says...
2:38am Sun 11 Feb 07