Helmsley Community Library becomes home to a slice of Helmsley history

-Replica Magna Carta to be unveiled on 2nd June

-Library celebrates two months being community managed and calls for more volunteers as Volunteer Week approaches

Helmsley Community Library is to be presented with a framed facsimile of the Magna Carta which will be on display for future generations to enjoy.

The unveiling of the exact replica, which will take place on 2nd June at 11.30am, will mark Helmsley’s place in history as home to one of the 25 barons who were ‘Sureties’ or guarantors of the Magna Carta. In 1215 Robert de Ros, Baron of Helmsley, was a witness at Runnymede as the charter was sealed by King John — a pivotal moment in reducing the absolute power the Crown had at the time. The Magna Carta is the foundation of ‘the rule of law’ throughout the English-speaking world.

The facsimile is being presented by Martin Vander Weyer, who was heavily involved in the Magna Carta celebrations in 2015 which marked the charter’s 800th anniversary.
June 1st to 8th also marks Volunteers Week 2017, and the library is hoping to encourage more people to sign up as volunteers. Helmsley became a community managed library on 1st April, and is now successfully run entirely by volunteers. Thanks to the hard work of the Helmsley Community Library Group, it is open 16.5 hours a week, and continues to offer a wide range of services and facilities for local people, including lending books, DVDs, audio books and online magazines, free use of computers, activities for all age groups, a local information point and access to books for research and learning.

However, more volunteers are always needed and are vital to ensure the library can remain open for the months and years to come.

Jeanne Brown, who chairs the Helmsley Community Library Steering Group and trustees, working with other volunteers, said: “I can’t quite believe it’s now been two months since we launched as a community managed library, but thankfully it’s all gone well, and we’ve managed to maintain services for local residents. The library is extremely important to so many people, and is a real hub in the local community. But we can only continue to run with the help of volunteers, so whether you can spare a few hours a week or a couple of hours a month, we’d love to hear from you. Training is provided, and it’s a great team to work with.

“We’d also like to say a huge thank you to Martin Vander Weyer for kindly presenting us with the facsimile of the Magna Carta. It’s great to have such an interesting resource available for locals and visitors to come and see, especially when Helmsley had such an important role in it eight centuries ago.”

Other events taking place in the library over the coming weeks include Ryedale Carers Support having an information table on 2nd June, handing out leaflets about its Share Your Sunshine campaign.

Following Dementia Awareness Week, which was 14-20th May, the library also has a display of books and leaflets on the subject. The display includes a twiddlemuff and the corresponding knitting pattern to make one. Twiddlemuffs can be used by people who have dementia, and are struggling with restless hands.

To keep up to date with events in Helmsley go to follow the town on social media @visithelmsley on Twitter

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For further media information or photography contact:Shona Nutter on 07714 953919

Notes to editors

Helmsley in Business is a group of 60 businesses working together to ensure the continuing success of the North Yorkshire town of Helmsley. Members include: Amanda Field Millinery;Antiques and Interiors;Auntie Anne’s Bakery; Bella di Notte; Bisca; Black Swan Hotel; Bondgate Antiques; Browns of Helmsley; Castle Stores; Carters Country Wear; Celebrate Country Cake Design; Claridges; Crema Coffee Shop; Cut Price Bookshop; Duncombe Sawmill; Duncombe Park Gift Shop; Duncombe Park Partnership; Elijah Todd; English Heritage; Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa; Gepettos; Handford Hairdressing; Helmsley Art Centre; Helmsley Brewery; Helmsley Galleries; Helmsley Garden Cottage; Helmsley Outdoors; Helmsley Town Hall; Helmsley Traditional Sweet Shop; Helmsley Walled Garden; Helmsley Wines; Honeysuckle Cottage; Hunters of Helmsley; JEB taxis; KVA Planning; Lazenby Visuals and Framing; Libby Butler Jewellers; Look Gallery; Marleys Butchers; National Centre for Birds of Prey; No. 54 B&B; North York Moors National Park; Pennita Fashions; Porters Coffee Shop; RED taxis; Retals; Room for Antiques; Saltbox Gallery; Scotts of Helmsley Fish and Chip Shop; Snooty Fox; The Bay Clinic; The Feathers; The Royal Oak; The Stick Man; Think Fresh; Thomas of York; Thundercliffes; Tulchan; Veneto; and Viva Hair.

Helmsley is a beautiful market town in the Ryedale District of North Yorkshire,with something to offer everyone- anda great place to explore the North YorkMoors National Park. It is popular with tourists for its characterful Market Place, historic architecture, the wide range of quality independent shops, and the excellent selection of accommodation, pubs, cafes and restaurants, many of which are award-winning. There are also plenty of interesting activities and attractions available on the doorstep including The National Centre for Birds of Prey, Helmsley Castle, Rievaulx Abbey and The Walled Gardens. Helmsley also marks the start of the Cleveland Way, which is popular with walkers and loops round the National Park to end up at the coast near Filey.

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