ONE downside to the Christchurch Library development that you did not mention in last week’s article is that the Christchurch Local History Society has effectively been evicted from the Library.

The Society, in the upstairs History Room, has for many years provided a service to all who are interested in our town’s long history, as well as helping with many local family history queries.

This service has been provided free of charge by Society volunteers at no cost to Christchurch Council or the Dorset Library Service.

The Christchurch Library building in the High Street was once the home of noted Christchurch historian Herbert Druitt and his extensive collection of letters, documents and books formed the nucleus of the Society’s local history records.

Although alternative accomodation has been found in Wick Lane this is much smaller than the History Room and much of the collection has had to be put in alternative storage where it is not available for reference or study, which is very much contrary to Herbert Druitt’s expressed wishes.

It is only to be hoped that when the library alterations are completed the collection can be returned, in its entirety, to its rightful home, together with the facilities to use it, at a reasonable price that the society can afford.

NEIL BANCROFT Glenville Road, Walkford, Christchurch