A special event has taken place at Halesworth Library to mark the official opening of a garden created in honour of Ali Hopkins, one of the previous managers of the library.
Ali was a much-loved member of the local community but sadly died in early 2019. Halesworth Library launched a plan - supported by the Friends of Halesworth Library - to raise money to refurbish and improve the library’s small garden to commemorate Ali’s life and her contribution to the local community. Although interrupted by the pandemic, the project recently came to fruition with an event organised by the Friends of Halesworth Library to officially open the new garden.
Around 50 people including Ali’s family, representatives of Suffolk Libraries, the library’s Friends Group and other guests came together last week to cut the ribbon and celebrate the new garden space. The ribbon was cut by Ali's grand-daughter Scarlett and Ali's daughter Justine.
The project was managed by Catherine Draper who is a volunteer gardener. A local garden designer redesigned the garden with the aim of improving the space for events and wildlife and creating a colourful, welcome and user-friendly safe space for children and visitors of all ages. Work on the garden has included installing bi-fold door leading from the children’s library to give easier access to the garden.
The garden has been designed to reflect the colours and plants which Ali liked and to be a pleasant place to sit and read a book, chat or relax all year round. The garden’s colourful murals have been incorporated into the new design including a specially commissioned new mural which includes subtle references to Ali and her life. New lighting and a water feature have been installed and there is also a new woven willow reader on top of the pergola.
Money to fund the project has been provided by The Friends of Halesworth County Library and local donations. Suffolk Libraries and The Friends of Halesworth Library would like to thank everyone who donated to the project and to Suffolk County Council and Vertas for their contribution to the building alterations.
Alison Britton from the Friends of Halesworth Library, said:
"It has been a long journey (partly thanks to Covid), since we began planning the garden in January 2020. In that time many people have worked hard to fundraise, construct the garden, fill it with colour and produce artworks for it. We are delighted that we have now completed all our hoped-for plans and can, for the moment, call it finished.
"With the input of her family and those who knew her well, we feel we have created something that Ali would have loved, both for its beauty and for the fact that it has made the garden an extra room for people to relax in and where events can take place.”
Sylvia Knights, Vice Chair of Suffolk Libraries also attended the opening event. She added:
“Ali leaves a wonderful legacy, so much of the fabric of this library is here as a result of her vision, commitment and sheer hard work. Having this beautiful garden, which I know Ali would love, is a lovely space in which people can sit and enjoy their personal memories of Ali.”
