Verity’s Gift, a charity supporting young adults and children in the community, unveiled a new home for its booknook in Emsworth on Saturday, August 31. Verity’s Booknook, a book sharing scheme, was opened in a newly refurbished red telephone box having previously been housed in a more modern BT phone box which did not have a door.
Crowds gathered on Saturday to celebrate the opening with much of the community buying into the scheme from the very start. Having started in Lockdown when Leane Stevenson left 10 books propped up in a post box, it is now a hugely popular service with people regularly queuing to look at the books on offer.
The new home was needed as BT had previously given notice that the original box would be destroyed and the door was removed. Thankfully after lengthy discussions with BT they agreed local charity Verity’s Gift could adopt the box. A GoFundME page was then launched to buy a new permanent post box that had a door and would be more attractive to look at. Saturday saw the culmination of those efforts.
Here are 8 fantastic photos of the opening:
6. Harriot turner at the Veritysbooknook opening
It's open! Hariot Turner enjoys the Booknook after officially opening it. | Matthew Clark
7. Verity's Booknook opening
The public wasted no time in enjoying the Booknook | Matthew Clark
8. Verity's Booknook opening
The scheme is run by Verity's Gift, a local charity that supports children and young adults in the local community. | Matthew Clark