Become a Library Patron
Become a Patron and help Thomas Poole’s important work in the community. Thank you!
You can be a patron for £250 per year
or commit for three years with a donation of £750.
Your support will be recognised in the library’s Annual Report, or if you prefer, your contribution can be kept confidential.
Additionally, we maintain a Roll of Honour that lists our patrons, and your name will be included only if you request it.
To get started, you can fill out the Bankers Order Form or contact our Chair, Nigel Phillips, for more information.
You can contact him by sending a letter c/o the library or by calling 01278 732266.
Thank you for considering this vital role in our community!
You can help us carry on Thomas Poole’s work
We take pride in the fact that our library is located in the building originally built by Thomas Poole as a school for the underprivileged in Stowey. He was a generous and tireless benefactor, establishing the Savings Bank and the Women’s Friendly Society.
Thomas Poole was highly respected by notable figures of his time, including Coleridge, Wordsworth, essayist Charles Lamb, scientist Humphry Davy, and the Wedgwood Potter brothers, Josiah and Tom. We owe a great deal to Thomas Poole and believe it is our responsibility to maximise the use of the building he generously provided.
The library serves the community of Nether Stowey and several surrounding villages, all of which highly value its services.
We take pride in the fact that our library is located in the building originally built by Thomas Poole as a school for the underprivileged in Stowey. He was a generous and tireless benefactor, establishing the Savings Bank and the Women’s Friendly Society.
Thomas Poole was highly respected by notable figures of his time, including Coleridge, Wordsworth, essayist Charles Lamb, scientist Humphry Davy, and the Wedgwood Potter brothers, Josiah and Tom. We owe a great deal to Thomas Poole and believe it is our responsibility to maximise the use of the building he generously provided.
The library serves the community of Nether Stowey and several surrounding villages, all of which highly value its services.
a dedicated team of volunteers
After Somerset County Council proposed closing Nether Stowey Library, we established a charitable trust to ensure its continued operation. Since 2019, a dedicated team of volunteers has managed the library, and Somerset Library Services frequently praises our accomplishments.
What We Do
As a village library, we offer a diverse selection of books covering various subjects. We organise reading sessions for children to help them recognise the importance of books for their growth and development. Local societies hold their meetings at the library, and we host well-attended monthly talks that also serve as friendly social gatherings.
Villagers utilise our computers and enjoy free Wi-Fi. Additionally, we are fortunate to house a unique collection of valuable books related to Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
But This is Just the Start
We believe that these services are only the beginning. We envision doing much more to transform the library into a vital community hub for both residents and visitors.
a professionally run charitable trust
All of our plans require funding.
We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered charity number 1181213.
While we regularly seek grant aid for special projects, your support would help ensure the core costs that sustain this vital village asset, allowing us to expand our activities.
- The library is managed by a committee consisting of seven Trustees and five additional members.
- The Treasurer provides financial reports at each meeting.
- The Budgeting/Planning sub-committee gives regular updates.
- We have a written Governance and Management Framework in place.
- We have recently drafted and approved by the trustees a three-year Business Plan.