Corbett Community Library June newsletter

Jacky, our secretary and volunteer supporting Martha, a new volunteer

Where to start? Firstly, we hope you haven’t melted in this extreme heat and have instead had time to lay in a hammock and read a good book!😃

It’s Volunteers Week 1- 7 June and we would like to dedicate this newsletter to our amazing team. Everyone that gives up their time to support the library we give huge THANKS! Please read on to hear more about our wonderful volunteers.

Also, as I’m sure you are aware, Lewisham have a new Mayor & Cabinet! With this in mind we have some additional Councilors Surgeries to announce, see below for further details.

June is a busy month with our Community Mosaic project, Windrush event, a Food Safety Course, Celebration of Song event, and the lead up to Corbfest 2026.

Please read on to learn more about all that’s going on at the library this month and beyond…

Rachel, Ruth and all the CCL Team

It’s Volunteers’ Week (1–7th June 2026)

Volunteers Week is a national celebration of the people who make community services possible.

For community-managed libraries like ours, volunteers play an essential role — in fact, we literally couldn’t function without them. They are the heartbeat of our library, and we are so grateful for all that they do. Not only do they serve customers, but they also work tirelessly behind the scenes, helping to keep your library open and thriving.

This year is especially meaningful as Volunteers’ Week aligns with Libraries Change Lives Week, highlighting the vital role libraries play in supporting literacy, wellbeing and stronger communities.

If you want to see what our library means to our customers watch this short video made earlier this year by one of our trustees, Ben.

A huge thank you to our 35 library assistant volunteers who come in every week to serve customers; the activity leaders who give up countless hours to support our community; our ten trustees; Knit & Knatter; the gardening group; volunteers who perform at shows; those who step in at the last minute to cover shifts or close up out of hours; play Father Christmas, bake for events, move bookshelves, collect litter, paint walls, build furniture, read stories, sing — and everyone else who contributes in ways big and small.

You are all noticed, valued and deeply appreciated.

Thank you.

Here from our volunteers themselves – what’s so good about volunteering here?

“Meeting different people”
“It’s a good feeling knowing I’ve helped someone”
“Great teamwork”
“I like volunteering at the library because it feels good to be part of something important. Even though I no longer live on the Corbett estate, I love it and its people. The library is its hub, where everyone is welcome and where all sorts of things happen: people applying for jobs or taking a break from their circumstances, students revising and, particularly special to observe, children relaxing and coming into their own. Every so often they are showing their adults what's what, what goes where and what they like to do in the library, a rare inversion of the usual power dynamic and incredibly empowering.”

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Attendee at a design workshop drawing her ideas!

Community Mosaic Making Workshops

June 2026 – see dates below

The community mosaic project is continuing at an exciting pace, with the local community joining together to create a large-scale mosaic artwork celebrating the diversity, heritage, and cultures of our community here in Catford and across Lewisham.

The finished mosaic will be permanently installed in the library, creating a lasting legacy that reflects local identity, builds community pride, and inspires future generations to see the library as a place of creativity and belonging.

Making Sessions (all welcome):

Tuesday 16 June, 9am -12.30pm
Wednesday 17 June, 11am-3pm
Saturday 20 June, 2-5pm
Tuesday 23 June, 9am-12.30pm
Wednesday 24 June, 11am-3pm

Making sessions for families:

Wednesday 6 June, 12-3pm
Wednesday 17 June, 3:30-5:30pm
Wednesday 24 June, 3:30-5:30pm

Join us and be part of something special! Just turn up or book your place at the library. For questions, please contact the lead artist, Tamara Froud, at mosaicallsorts@gmail.com or 07989 392856

Celebrating 78 years since Windrush

Saturday 20 June 2-5pm

If you haven’t booked your tickets for this yet, please do! It was such a lovely event last year with live music, tasty food and a buzzing atmosphere.

In collaboration with Bring Me Sunshine, we’ll be hosting a special event featuring a Windrush exhibition, light refreshments, steel drums, and an opportunity to share your stories.

You can also take part in our Community Mosaic Making Sessions—book a one-hour slot to learn mosaic techniques and contribute to a large community artwork celebrating culture.

📩 To book, contact Lesley:
Lesleyaallen@btopenworld.com | 07729 785843
(Please request a place for the Mosaic Workshop when booking. Spaces are limited, with 12 places per session.)

We’d love for you to join us!

Corbfest 2026

Saturday 11 July, 11-5pm @ Corbett Community Library

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Corbfest 2026! Now in our fourth year, we’re excited to continue growing this fantastic community event and bringing everyone together for three days of celebration — supporting our local charities, small businesses, artists, makers, bakers, and, of course, you!

Friday 10th July
Torridon Stores will kick off the festivities with outdoor food and drink stalls.

Saturday 11th July
Mi & More will celebrate their first birthday with outdoor festivities alongside activities at the library, including arts, crafts, live music, and interactive workshops.
St Andrews Church Hall will also host a “Bring Me Sunshine” event and an evening Quiz Night.

Sunday 12th July
The festival finale will take place at Abbotshall, featuring family-friendly outdoor activities and a community BBQ.

We are currently looking for a generous local business sponsor to help cover event costs.

In return, sponsors will receive:

A premium advert in the Corbfest 2026 brochure, delivered to 4,000 homes across the Corbett Estate
Your logo featured on all festival advertising and promotional materials

Run a Workshop? Perform?

Were also looking for people to run family friendly workshops at the library. Can you teach something fun/ and or creative? Would you like to play some live music?

If you are interested in supporting Corbfest 2026, please contact Rachel at Rachel@corbettcommunity.org.uk.

MAY ACTIVITIES

Celebration of Song

Sunday 21 June 3-5pm, Free (donations will be collected for the library)

As part of Make Music Day UK, Lewisham Sing Out and other guest choirs, including Catford Community Choir, will be sharing a celebration of song with you here at the library! Come along, listen, enjoy and also have a singalong! This is a free event but they will be collected donations at the end to cover the library’s costs. No need to book, just turn up!

Level 2 Food Hygiene Course

Friday 26 June 9:15-5pm, £40

CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Safety

Do you run a food business or are you about to start one? The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Foundation Certificate in Food Safety is designed for anyone working in a food business. On completion of the course, attendees will be able to confidently handle, prepare and cook food that is safe for consumption.

This practical and informative course is ideal for:

Food handlers preparing or cooking food for consumers
Anyone wishing to refresh previously learned skills and knowledge
Self-employed, food-based small business owners

The course reinforces the importance of food safety and helps learners understand how to identify and control food safety hazards within their own workplace.

The training will be led by Loraine Smythers, an experienced food safety professional with a background in food microbiology and many years working as a food inspector for local authorities including Haringey, Lewisham, City of Westminster, Brighton & Hove, Tower Hamlets and Bromley.

Throughout the day, Loraine will share real-life experiences from food safety inspections, discuss common issues encountered in food businesses, and explain the legal requirements involved in operating a food business — from registration through to defending a prosecution.

Whether you are new to the food industry or looking to update your knowledge, this course offers valuable guidance and practical insight into maintaining high standards of food safety.

For more information please email info@corbettcommunity or pop in to the library.

Dora’s sourdough

Every other Saturday 10-1 (June dates: 13 & 27 June)

Councillors Surgery Changes

Following last month’s elections, we now have councillor surgeries at the following times:

Catford South (Labour party): Second Saturday of the month, 11-12
Hither Green (Labour party): Third Saturday of the month, 10-11
Hither Green and Lee Green (Green party): First Saturday of every other month, 10-12
Catford South and Bellingham (Green party): Every other month, exact timings tbc

Lastly Baby Sensory Classes will be joining the library from Friday 5th June 9.30am. More info to follow. Please check our timetable and website for updates.