Carol singers outside Cricklewood Library

Crusaders continue to raise money to keep their battle going

Preston Library campaigners singing carols

Campaigners fighting to reopen Brent’s closed libraries have been keeping hope alive this week by holding festive carol concerts.

Despite the freezing temperatures, residents across the borough have been wrapping up warm and singing Christmas tunes to passers-by to raise money for the campaign.

At Preston Library, in Carlton Avenue East, Wembley, carols were sung in front of a painted Christmas tree daubed on a hoarding outside the old library.

Campaigners merrily sang traditional festive songs and a specially penned carol about the closure of the six branches. Mother-of-two Samantha Warrington said: “Preston Library Campaign brought seasonal cheer and goodwill to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with carol singing.

Rusty the cat

“Sadly, the only Christmas present that is being bestowed on this diverse community from Brent Council is parking ticket machines which will be effective from the New Year.”

At Cricklewood Library, opera singers entertained the community outside a new-pop-up library set up to replace the old reading room in Olive Road.

Graham Durham, secretary of the Save Cricklewood Library Campaign, said: “Many families with small children are now denied the opportunity to use a library as the travel distance to Willesden Green by bus is an hour each way.

“This pop-up library is a symbol of our determination to use all means to persuade Brent Council that this destruction of opportunities for local people is causing real hardship.”

Another concert was held outside Kensal Rise pop-up library, in Bathurst Gardens, on Wednesday night.

People brought candles and tea lights in jam jars and enjoyed glasses of mulled wine.

The pop-up library has a new favourite visitor – Rusty the cat.

Campaigner Phil O’Shea said: “Rusty is a loyal library supporter. He comes here every day no matter the weather.”

If you are the ginger cat’s owner, call the news team on 020 7433 6228 or email lorraine.king@archant.co.uk.