Community March for Castle Point Libraries

On Saturday 27th April a Community March for Castle Point Libraries took place between Tarpots Library and South Benfleet Library organised by Save Our Castle Point Libraries.

The march started at 11 am with the tying  of ribbons to trees at Tarpots, then a march along the High Road to Benfleet Library arriving at 12:30 pm where ribbons were tied to the tree there. Along the march there were many encouraging beeps from passing cars and thumbs up signs from the drivers in support of the campaign.

With people who came just to the Tarpots start, people who took part in the march and the welcoming party at Benfleet about a 100 people took part (plus two dogs who seemed to enjoy the long walk). One speaker said it was the largest protest in Benfleet for at least 60 years. My personal opinion is that it was the largest protest since a group of Londoners came to have words with some Danes in 894 AD!

The organisers are a group of residents who are protesting against the closure of all three mainland libraries in Castle Point. The group is non party political but the march attracted representatives from three parties standing in the local elections in Castle Point. Mainly however the people on the march are passionate about the proposed closures of Essex libraries including, Tarpots where the march started and Benfleet where it ended. In addition another event was taking place at Hadleigh library which will also be closed.

A video is now available  of the march and these pictures record the event:

Save Our Libraries Essex Banner

Phil Coley

Young Supporters of Libraries. T-shirt fronts.

Phil Coley

Young Supporters of Libraries. T-shirt backs.

Phil Coley

Tying ribbons

Phil Coley

Young supporters flying the banner

Phil Coley

More young supporters of libraries

Phil Coley

Outside Tarpots Library

Phil Coley

Conservative Party representatives - Mr James Cutler, Rebecca Harris MP, and Cllr. Wayne Johnson.

Phil Coley

Castle Point Labour Party Banner and representatives from the Party Kieran Smith, Christine Shaw and Pam Sneller

Phil Coley

Lyndsey McCarthy-Calvert an Independent Candidate in Local Elections

Phil Coley

Unison Banner - Representatives of Unison also joined the march in support of library staff.

Phil Coley

The crowd gathering

Phil Coley

The marchers sets off.

Phil Coley

The march

Phil Coley

The march going round Cemetery Corner

Phil Coley

The march going past Salt Box Cottage

Phil Coley

Arriving at Benfleet Library

Phil Coley

Outside Benfleet Library

Phil Coley

Outside Benfleet Library

Phil Coley

Outside Benfleet Library

Phil Coley

Tying ribbons to the Wishing Tree outside Benfleet Library.

Phil Coley

Young supporter outside Benfleet Library

Phil Coley

Two older supporters outside Benfleet Library

Phil Coley

Flyer (front) for Community March for Castle Point Libraries between Tarpots Library and Benfleet Library on Saturday 27th April. This was distributed throughout Castle Point.

Flyer (back) for Community March for Castle Point Libraries between Tarpots Library and Benfleet Library on Saturday 27th April. This was distributed throughout Castle Point.