Catterick, Richmond and Colburn Community Libraries (CRACCL) has announced Baroness Angela Harris as the new patron of the charity.
Catterick, Richmond and Colburn Libraries are managed by CRACCL, in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council who support the charity with paid staff.
Baroness Harris has been an influential figure within the Richmondshire community for a number of years, having being a member of North Yorkshire County Council from 1981-2001 as well as serving as chair of the North Yorkshire Police Authority from 1994-2001 along with several other notable positions.
She is now a deputy speaker in the House of Lords.
To mark the announcement she addressed the team of trustees and volunteers who work to keep the community hubs operating.
Baroness Harris enjoyed an afternoon tea with the trustees and volunteers to celebrate the success of the group over the last couple of years since the CRACCL team entered partnership with NYCC.
Philip Wicks, CRACCL chair said: “We are thrilled to welcome Baroness Harris of Richmond as CRACCL’s patron.
“We look forward to a long and successful partnership and hope to see her at our events when her duties at the House of Lords permit”.
The appointment of Baroness Harris as patron of the community cause is especially poignant for both sides, says Mr Wicks.
When Richmond Library was threatened with closure some years ago, it was Angela who campaigned to save the service when she was first elected to North Yorkshire Country Council.
Upon meeting the volunteers, she thanked all of the volunteers for keeping the three libraries open to the public and donating their time to the community.
