Knitters protest over proposed library closures

Teresa Sample is a member of Basford library and attends a knit and natter group in Ruddington

Dozens of people gathered with their knitting gear to attend a protest against planned library closures.

Nottingham City Council announced in May it planned to close four libraries across the city as it tries to save money.

Members of affected libraries - including 'knit and natter' groups which use them - congregated at the Brian Clough statue in the city centre to voice their opposition.

The city council has previously described its bid to redesign library services and save £1.5m as "a daunting and challenging task".

Protestors against the planned closures gathered at the Brian Clough statue in Nottingham city centre

A 12-week consultation on the potential closures has been running since 28 May, and closes on 19 August.

Jean Thorpe, chairman of the Nottingham Save Our Services campaign, said the knit and natter protest highlights the social side of libraries.

"Books are a really important part of libraries, but so many other things happen - tots groups, reading groups, support groups, lots of social groups, craft groups," she said.

Teresa Sample, 67, is a member of Basford library, and also attends a knit and natter group at Ruddington.

"I think it's so important to have libraries in the community, close to people, because not everybody's got the funds to come all the way into the city centre," she said.

"Just at this moment I'm knitting some chainmail trousers for one of the knights who performs with the Knights of Nottingham, [and] I find it restful, it's something that I can do whilst I'm watching TV.

"If I haven't got my knitting my hands are twitching - there's something missing in my life."

Rachel Cameron (left), Alison Taylor (centre) and Elizabeth Moody all attended the protest

Rachel Cameron is a member of Basford library, and attended Monday's protest.

"[Knit and natter] is more of a social thing - we do some knitting, but most of us natter," the 60-year-old said.

"It's for people to come together in the local area, there's not a lot for our age group in the local area, and it's a beautiful building.

"It needs keeping open - I don't know what we'd do without it, I really don't."

Alison Taylor, 79 and from Basford, said the library has been "an absolute godsend for me".

"I lost my husband, I was on my own, my relations are in Yorkshire and Scotland, and I didn't have anybody," she said.

"It's a new way of life, and we do need this - I wish the council and the government would listen to what older people want.

"These are so valuable for people to meet."

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.